The DSV Pro Cycling team of Gert Heyns and Arno du Toit will be pushing to go one better than their runner-up finish at the 2018 edition of the 2019 KAP sani2c when they set off from Glencairn on Thursday, 16 May.
It has been a busy year for Heyns and Du Toit as they build towards the three-day showdown next week, but Heyns says they will use their second-place finish last year as a major motivating factor behind their drive to get the result they want in 2019.
“We are really looking forward to getting to KZN for the race,” the DSV Pro Cycling star said.
“The sani2c is an important race for us and for our sponsors so you always want to do well. I think that behind the Cape Epic it is the second most important stage race in the year for us.
“It’s such a popular race and has been around for a while which makes winning the title that much more prestigious.”
At the Absa Cape Epic Heyns teamed up with Swiss rider Andri Frischknecht as the back-up team to the eventual winners Nino Schurter and Lars Forster. They did their job for the team but Heyns felt like he could have done better.
“Epic was OK for me but it was really good for Arno who teamed up with Julian Jessop and came second in the Africa Jersey.
“It shows that he is in good form and we have also got some good results in the local cross country series.
“We know each other well and have ridden quite a lot together so we understand how each other works and where our strengths and weaknesses are,” the 26 year-old added.
The jaunt from the Southern Drakensberg to the South Coast is helter-skelter and one error can undo days of hard work. Heyns understands that pressure and knows that there are areas that suit him and Du Toit over the 265km.
“It’s a quick race and there is no holding back on any of the stages which makes it exciting.
“With the single track, Arno and I are good technical riders so we enjoy those sections and it’s important that we match the other teams in intensity throughout the race,” Heyns explained.
The DSV team is raring to go with Heyns and Du Toit in good shape going into next week’s race.
“I have had a good year health wise so far. I haven’t had any issues but we’ll see next week how strong we are.
“In a team race you both have to be strong together to do well, and you can’t have one rider far stronger than the other.
“So whoever works together the best is going to win,” he mentioned.