Showing some colour in the Koue Bokkeveld.

2019 Momentum Health Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen.

As a new week starts,  our 2019 Tankwa Trek comes to an end with everyone who partook safe and resting. 

For our riders, the four stages were unique, and each had their personality. The rocky terrain provided extraordinary challenges racing up some of our countries toughest climbs and most technical descents, a perfect partner to the preparation for the eight-day Absa Cape Epic. As the 2019 season started, we teamed up with some new partners, and this ensured that everyone had to adjust to previous conditions and routines. 

The Tankwa is always a highlight for our team as a whole, as it officially marks the start to our stage race season being the first multi-day stage race in South Africa. It also ensures that our two teams start forming a strong dynamic and get to face challenges before the rest of the season approaches. We had a post-race chat with our riders to get more depth from their perspective.

Photograph by Milan de Beer for Mediatic Studios

For Matthys Beukes, the 2019 Momentum Health Attakwas champion, the past couple of days did not go according to plan for the team as they had to endure setbacks over the final three stages of the Tankwa.

"Although these occurrences are out of our control, we can, fortunately, look at our performance on the bike, and I am incredibly positive about how we rode our bikes throughout the four stages.

We did not win the war, but we got the opportunity to fight it out against some of the worlds best mountain bike riders. Barring in all of the bad luck we had to face, I believe that we performed well as a team. Overall, there are much more positive's to take from the past week, and I genuinely look forward to the hard work that lies ahead in preparation for The Untamed African Mountain Bike Race."

Anticipation grew around Philip Buys as onlookers kept wondering about his form. Well, there was no better way to prove it than on the #MerinoMonster, definitely one of South Africa's most robust and most extended climbs. Philip and Matthys, riding with the numbers 2-1 and 2-2 led a fantastic attack and safely secured their spot as the Kings of the Mountain with Team Bulls claiming the second spot over the mountain. With this tremendous performance, they blew us all away on the 3rd stage and had slain the Monster, ensuring that Philip is on form and ready for the upcoming ABSA Cape Epic. ​

Photograph by Milan de Beer for Mediatic Studios

"Tankwa was rough and brutal, but a great reminder of how hard stage racing can be on the bike and body. We were dealt with many blows during the event but luckily got the chance to test new equipment. More personally, the event was a mental and physical test, but my shape was the most significant consideration for the start of the season.

My confidence has received a boost after the past few days of racing in the Koue Bokkeveld, after having a huge setback due to a knee injury leading up to the Attakwas. In general, my shape is looking good, but I would still love to be stronger and faster going into the Epic. Luckily we have a few weeks left to add some extra power before the Epic kicks off.

The whole team pulled their weight during the incredible event, and it was an excellent rehearsal for the 2019 racing season."

Apart from the four riders making up the professional team, we had five guys battling it out behind the scenes to make sure the riders and their bikes perform in optimal condition. The race venue also supplied an excellent atmosphere for all the teammates before and after each stage. We are thankful for Dryland Event Management for again putting together a successful race. They exceeded everyone's expectations with the management of the race and venue. ​

Photograph by Milan de Beer for Mediatic Studios

"Consistently racing for four days is always something to get excited about. Add this to a large international field, and you are sure to have an exciting and top class event with intense challenges. 

I will never forget the first stage due to the scorching heat that we had to endure at 3 in the afternoon. The stage kicked off, and we received an average temperature of 40 degrees. I was quite excited to cross the finish in the top 20. I then went to bed at an early hour and had a good rest before the second stage. 

After a successful start on the second day, Matthys unfortunately got a puncture and I exchanged wheels with Matthys ensuring that he could continue fighting on. After myself and Phillimon repaired the damaged wheel, we got on our bikes and fought back only a few minutes later finding that our A team punctured for a second time. We luckily had a tube and could insert it into the wheel before setting off to the finish." ~ Pieter Du Toit

Entering the 3rd stage, our riders were well rested and had a lot of motivation after significant setbacks on the 2nd stage. They started their day at Kaleo Guest Farm that for the duration of our stay played race village and home to our team and Euro Steel Truck. The #MerinoMonster is well known for being one of the toughest climbs to do as a mountain biker. Philip and Matthys broke away from the pack and claimed the King of the Mountain title, right before being caught by the Bulls pair of Urs Huber and Simon Stiebjahn. ​

Photograph by Milan de Beer for Mediatic Studios

Our team then joined the Bulls team on the way home, but unfortunately, both teams took a wrong turn. After a long talk to race officials and the commissar, the ruling was made that the results would remain as per finish. This resulted in a 6th place for the pair. 

"I would like to say thank you to everyone who has given our team the amazing opportunity to partake in the Tankwa. I am also fortunate that I was able to keep up with the faster riders, as last year I was unable to do so. This opportunity has grown my confidence and has also shown me that my form and skill has improved dramatically in a year.

A massive thank you to my amazing partner Pieter who rode with me. Thank you to the team for always understanding the situations we have to endure as professional riders, to my coach who walked every step of the way with me and to Ruan who still find a way for everything to come together perfectly." ~ Phillimon Sebona

We are excited about this coming year, and our targets are set. During the preparation for the upcoming events, we'll be ensuring that we are ready for every race day ahead of us in the season ahead. ​