5
H
CANYON
2019
280-2
KRISTIAN
HYNEK
Age: 38
Epics completed: 4
Stage wins: 2
BEST RESULT
1st (2014)
2012 XCM European
champion
PETTER
FAGERHAUG
Age: 21
Epics completed: 0
BEST RESULT
2017 XCO Norwegian
champion
ynek hit a home run on his fi rst outing at the
2014 Absa Cape Epic, partnered with Robert
Mennen. This edition saw all the elements
that make for a thrilling contest (endeavour, intrigue,
unexpected alliances and pure fi repower) with one key
ingredient – a deadly team dynamic. In the following
years, Hynek partnered with marathon legend Alban
Lakata and has not seen the top step since his debut,
begging the question: “Is it the partnership?” This year
should go some way to answering that as he pairs up
with talented Norwegian superstar, Petter Fagerhaug,
for the fi rst time.
Fagerhaug won the men’s U23 race at the UCI
Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch in 2018 and
went on to win two more in the series, so there is no
doubting his ability to dice at the front with the world’s
fi nest. What is under scrutiny, however, is his ability, at
21 years old, to maintain this level throughout the week.
Hynek’s ability to impart his experience will play a huge
role in how the fi nal few days pan out. Fagerhaug’s 2019
strategy may be “race to learn” – but don’t be surprised
to see this pair on the podium during the week.
The Untamed African MTB Race | MTB | 51