THE MASTER

XCO RACING IS AN ARM OF MOUNTAIN BIKING that rewards youthful exuberance, technical derring-do, and the recovery and speed that generally bless younger riders.

PHIL BUYS, 34, SA XCO NATIONAL CHAMPION

We are blessed, though, to currently be watching two elder statesmen of our sport still taking it to the next generation: Nino Schurter is winning World Cup races at 36; and closer to home, Phil Buys won the 2023 XCO national championships earlier this year, at the ripe old age of 34.

How? It's a long and complicated story - yet simple at the same time.

How did you get into cycling, and into racing?

Phil Buys: I was born in Durban; our family farmed in Weenen, but we moved to Pretoria after my dad was murdered on the farm, when I was 9 or 10. I'm the oldest of four in a sporty family - my brother does a lot of trail running, and he's quite fast! Like most kids, I got a first bike and started riding all over the show... but I guess it all started, properly, when I was 13 or 14. I joined a local club linked with Fritz Pienaar Cycles.

Fritz and Dylan Victor were the main guys then, and we learned a lot with them - almost all of it just having fun; wheelies, jumping and fun challenges got me hooked.

Training and fitness were not the focus, or pushing physical limits. It was all about enjoyment and skills. At one point, I even had a trials bike.

When did the racing side start?

PB: Locally, I only really started featuring in races at U23 level. I wasn't spectacular at junior level - I had really good skills and could handle a bike, but training wasn't a priority, and I wasn't the strongest. But I think that's what's really allowed me to stay strong and fast for'' so long; I guess it’s been fifteen years now, and counting.