Pietermaritzburg – The 2015 mixed category at the upcoming BSi Steel dusi2c is going to be an interesting tussle as fourth place finisher at the recent Nedbank sani2c Samantha Sanders has teamed up with 2014 dusi2c mixed winner Eugene Botha for the 2015 edition of the two-day race from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg to Blue Lagoon in Durban from 20-21 June.
Botha, who paired up with Yolande Speedy in 2014, approached Sanders late in 2014 as a possible combination and the Hoedspruit local was appreciative of the opportunity. She explains that with a love for the trails in KwaZulu-Natal as well as a love for ‘Farmer’ Glen Haw’s events, it was a no-brainer to take Botha up on his offer.
“This will be my first dusi2c but I am really excited to take part because I have only heard good things from Eugene,” the Valencia Cycles Team rider mentioned. “Eugene and I have got the Cape Pioneer coming up later in the year so we thought that dusi2c would be a great way to work on our partnership and we are looking forward to it!”
“He asked me if I wanted to ride with him in a few stage races and I thought that it would be a great idea.
“We haven’t ridden together before so dusi2c will be a great way to start our partnership.”
Sanders is no stranger to Farmer Glen’s hospitality and having completed a number of sani2c’s as well as one Old Mutual joBerg2c, she understands the way that the renowned race organiser works and is certain that she will not be disappointed by the race when they set off from Camps Drift in just over three weeks’ time.
“I really enjoy Glen’s events and I have come to know them quite well over the years but I really don’t know what to expect from the dusi2c.
“I am sure that it is going to be an awesome race and myself and Eugene are really looking forward to it though!
“Eugene is doing his second dusi2c after winning the race last year so he has a good idea of what to expect so I will work with him to try and get ourselves into a winning position!” she mentioned with a sense of purpose.
The 2014 UCI MTB Marathon World Championships were held in KwaZulu-Natal and Sanders participation for the event’s South African contingent gives her a good understanding of competing in KwaZulu-Natal.
“I really enjoy riding in KZN; I have done a lot of racing down there and I think that the terrain is quite similar to the terrain that we get up here in Limpopo with a lot of single track to negotiate, which is something that I enjoy.
“Also, being a Farmer Glen event, I am sure that there are going to be large portions of fantastic single track along the route, which is great for me!” a excited Sanders explained.
The South African Marathon Championships take place on Saturday 6 June and with two weeks between that and the dusi2c, Sanders is thinking of planning an early trip down to the Kingdom of the Zulu in order to prepare properly for the two-day stage race that takes place on 20 and 21 June.
“I will be racing at the SA Marathon Champs in the North West during the first weekend of June and I am thinking about heading down to KZN so that I can get in a little bit of riding in the build up to the race.
“It would be great to check out the trails before the race starts so I think KZN might see a bit of me during those two weeks between nationals and dusi2c!” she declared.
More information can be found at www.dusi2c.co.za
