One of South Africa’s most successful marathon and stage racers, Matthys Beukes, called time on his professional racing career at the end of 2021. It was somewhat sudden, but as he explains here, it was necessary at the time. He’s coming out of retirement and the first race on his schedule is the Attakwas Extreme on Saturday 20 January 2024 – the race he’s won three times and which is part of who he is. Here’s some insight into Matthys Beukes the Racer – Version 2.0.
By Sean Badenhorst
Most South African mountain bike racers would be quite satisfied with a career that includes winning three stages of the Absa Cape Epic and securing the winning African team title at that prestigious race. Added to that Matthys Beukes has won numerous other titles, including the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen – on three occasions.
While those are impressive results, Beukes is emerging from two years of retirement. Partly because he didn’t retire on his terms and partly because he just loves racing. The 36-year-old George resident took up a coaching role after retiring and has maintained staying active through the two years he’s been out of competition.
Incredibly, at the age of 19 Beukes completed the first edition of the Attakwas Extreme in 11th position. Seventeen years later, this will be his 10th participation in the race, which is widely regarded as South Africa’s greatest ultra-marathon. We asked Beukes a few questions about his return to racing.
What was the reason for retiring?
This is complicated, but in short, we were going through a really bad time. Mentally I was completely burnt out, anxiety and depression set in and it got to a point where I was questioning every minute spent on the bike. Look, I really love the sport, but life hits you hard when you’ve given 110% to be your best and suddenly you can’t pay the bills anymore… Its dark but it’s the reality and I wish for the youngsters coming up to know this so that they can avoid what happened to me.
What has made you decide to come out of retirement?
I definitely felt like there was so much more to give if I could get around the “reality of life” issues. It’s a horrible feeling to walk away from something you absolutely love, devoted your life to and weren’t too bad at, if you feel there is more on the table. So I always had the dream of coming back again, the stars just needed to align again and now they have!
As a coach, how do you see your physical ability now compared to when you were racing at your peak?
The physical ability is definitely still there; this I can see from my training since I started again eight weeks ago. Although still far from full capacity but as we know, Rome wasn’t built in a day… But we do know it was built and I do have the blueprint for it, so it should be easier this time around. But more importantly, the physiological aspect is now even better than before!
I am much more confident in my process, much more relaxed and just all round enjoy every moment on and off the bike so much more.
What are your primary objectives for 2024 as a racer?
First off, I just wanted to see what gains I can get and what training load my body can handle. Eight weeks in, I am very pleased with my progress and now I am confident that I can at least reach my previous best level. From there, the results will come. The only thing better than riding bikes is riding bikes fast! So I’m looking to be racing at the sharp end as soon as possible.
You have been coaching your nephew, Cronje Beukes, who won the 2023 Junior SA Junior XCM title, and will be racing against him. That must be quite something for your family?
Yes, it’s a dream come true but it’s more like “racing with him” than against him. Cronje has got insane talent and it’s been a massive privilege to be coaching and mentoring him over the last five years. In 2024 we are looking to continue building on this as it’s his first year out of school and in the Elite ranks. Unfortunately, he picked up a knee injury around November and it seems like it will still be a couple months before he can get back to operating at full steam.
You, Christoph Sauser and Kevin Evans hold the Attakwas men’s victory record of three wins each. It’s obviously one of your favourite races. What do you think your chances are in the 2024 edition?
It would be the dream comeback to get another Atta win, but I have to be realistic.
Two years away from structured training and racing and also two years off from a mountain bike is a long time. I’m playing catchup but the problem is the other boys aren’t exactly sitting still either! I’m just looking to do my absolute best like always and then I can go to bed happy, knowing that I did what I could.
You have obviously worked out the ideal race strategy for Attakwas – what is your advice for those who just want to finish with a smile?
Start off riding easy until you reach the Attakwas Kloof. Eat and hydrate very well, take your time through the kloof and ride smart. Then, once in the final 50km, it’s time to ramp things up.
And what is your advice for those who are aiming for their personal best?
Same as above IF your training was on point; otherwise, good luck and enjoy the struggle…
What about Attakwas makes it such an iconic race for you?
For me it’s a local race and one of the first in South Africa to push our limits a bit more. It’s also been around for a long time, so I have memories of going through the kloof with a sleeveless shirt, grape juice in my bottles, ham and cheese sandwich in the back pocket on a 26inch hardtail with 80mm travel fork as a youngster. It’s probably part of who I am and I love it.
Do you have any bad luck stories from Attakwas that possibly prevented you from winning more editions?
Maybe this is also part of the reason for coming back but in 2021 I did 4 hours 39 minutes moving time at Attakwas (the men’s record is 4:46), but was standing next to the road with a cut sidewall for 10 minutes. I know there’s bigger problems in this world, but that day did hurt a bit and I’d love to replicate that ride – but without the puncture, ha ha!
How did the “stars align” for you to make a comeback?
I transitioned from rider to coach and in 2023 only did high performance coaching full time through Synergy Cycle Sports. I am blessed with an amazing group of people that I work with and will forever be grateful for the opportunity they have given me. They also made me realise that coaching is my biggest love and passion, it’s definitely something that I’ll be doing to the end of days!
Then, at the end of November I got the call up from Valley Electrical-Titan Racing to come in and do a job of creating a winning culture in the team. These two aspects suddenly made it possible for me to give 100% again without hurting my family from a financial point of view. I am an all-or-nothing kinda guy, so I have no respect for 90% effort, it’s 100% or nothing for me so here we are…
The 2024 race will be Beukes’s 10th appearance at the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme. He’s never finished lower than 11th in the race, which is confirmation of his consistency at an event where top racers have been known to be in winning contention one moment and then struggling to get to the finish line the next, due to poor pacing, battling with the heat or a mechanical issue.
Here’s Matthys Beukes’s Attakwas Extreme results record – so far:
- 2007: 11th in 5:36:59
- 2011: 9th in 5:18:14
- 2012: 1st in 5:09:10
- 2013: 8th in 5:11:38
- 2016: 9th in 5:38:00
- 2018: 1st in 4:56:56
- 2019: 1st in 4:51:36
- 2020: 2nd in 5:06:26
- 2021: 5th in 4:49:29 (with puncture)
Follow Beukes’s progress via his personal Instagram account @matthys_beukes or via his new team Valley Electrical Titan Racing’s account @vec_tr_team.
Entries for the 2024 Attakwas Extreme close on Monday 15 January 2024. To secure a late entry, click here.
