David George (360life) went one better than 2010 to win the 2011 MTN Attakwas ultra-marathon in his native South Africa on Saturday. George finished the 121 km event ahead of the formidable German pairing of Stefan Sahm and Karl Platt (both Team Bulls).
Sahm and Platt, three-time winners of the Cape Epic, played a major role in the race. The pair tested George throughout the final 50 kilometers of the event, but it was the South African who ruled the day.
The former road rider and South African national team stalwart is hopeful his victory is a sign of things to come – a slightly ominous sign for his competitors.
“360life is one of the newest sponsors in South African mountain biking. It was, therefore, important for me to achieve a good result in order to prove to 360life that their confidence in Kevin Evans and me was justified,” George Said. “By winning I have put 360life on the proverbial scoreboard. Hopefully this will be just the beginning. But I certainly have a long way to go as far as my physical condition is concerned. I am definitely not in top form yet.”
George’s new teammate, and winner of the event last year, Kevin Evans missed out on the race due to an appendectomy three weeks ago. With his victory, George made sure that the Attakwas remained in the ‘family’.
Marc Bassingthwaighte (Garmin-adidas) won the King of the Mountains prime. According to George the Garmin-adidas riders had been the most aggressive riders early on.
“I am not sure what their tactics were, because by the time we got through the Attakwas all the Garmin-adidas riders were off the pace. Stefan [Sahm], Karl [Platt] and I were riding in front on our own. Max [Knox] and Adrien [Niyonshuti] were the only two riders who were in a position to catch up with us, but we dropped them towards the end of the race.”
George’s path to the finish line included a slight scare just kilometres from the end of his race. He slid out, but retained his composure to record victory. He expressed his satisfaction with the improvement in his technical aspects of mountain-biking.
“It was exciting and rewarding for me that I was able to stay with the race leaders, even through the toughest technical sections. Usually, on a super technical race such as the Attakwas, I would be one of the first riders to be dropped.
“I think I have proved to myself that my technical skills have improved since last year.”
George expressed his admiration for MTN series organisers, Dryland Events, who also manage the DCM Cape Pioneer Trek stage race.
“The MTN Attakwas is definitely one of the best organized races on the local calendar,” said George, who expects to be reunited with his teammate Evans at the next race of the MTN series on January 29.
“It will be helpful if we can achieve another good result in the series, seeing that we will miss the MTN Clarens and Sabie events due to the Tour of South Africa. To make sure that we will be competitive, Kevin and I are planning to do some high altitude training beforehand.”
Ariane Luthi from Contego won the MTN Attakwas women’s race. Yolandé Speedy (MTN/Qhubeka) finished second and Ischen Stopforth (Bizhub) was third.