Sport

SA cycling duo score in Canada

5 July 2010

The South African pair of Max Knox and Brandon Stewart, riding as Team DCM, won the final stage of the BC Bike Race at Whistler Mountain, Canada at the weekend, giving them a second stage win in the international event and second place overall in the final general classification.

Although they missed the official start of the short, technical 21-kilometre stage, the South Africans managed to clock a rapid one hour, 26 minutes and 24 seconds, which was 15 seconds faster than overall leaders Kris Sneddon (CAN) and Barry Wicks (USA) of Team Kona.

Sneddon and Wicks claimed the runner-up place on the stage, but had done enough throughout the event with their six stage wins to claim the overall honours.

Serious fall

Stewart and Knox, third at the 2009 edition of the event, went one better to claim second place overall, a feat that looked unlikely on the second day after Knox took a serious fall and injured a leg and ribs, and also damaged his bike.

However, Knox lived up to his reputation of being one of the toughest South African pros when he continued racing through the remaining six days.

"You have to actually ride this race to appreciate how technical it is," said a satisfied Stewart afterwards.

'One small error and you're down'

"There is nothing like it in South Africa or Europe, as far as I've seen. It requires a whole new set of skills and confidence. One small error and you're down. And when I say down, I mean really down because of the elevation of some of the narrow man-made bridge sections you have to race on."

Knox said: "We're very happy to have made it to the finish. Seven podium places, including two stage wins and second overall are a great bonus.

"After my fall, I wasn't sure I'd even make it to the start line the next day.

He added: "We mistimed the official start of the last stage. I think our adrenaline pushed us to the fastest time of the day!"

SAinfo reporter