USN took the lead in supporting enduro riders at Matat2Pont in 2024 after founder Albé Geldenhuys reignited his passion for enduro at the 2022 event.

Witnessing the sport’s growth, he recognised a gap in the market – a lack of dedicated sports nutrition support and education for riders.

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Physically demanding sport

The Matat2Pont, a three-day enduro ride that begins in Matatiele and ends at The Pont in Port Edward.

Like all hard enduro events, it is an extremely physical and energy-demanding sport and supplementation is vital.

USN stepped in to fill this void, using its experience with the Absa Cape Epic’s water points as a blueprint.

By joining popular annual events like Matat2Pont and Roof of Africa (viewed as the world’s toughest hard enduro stage race) as a nutritional partner, USN aims to provide proper sports nutrition and education to enduro athletes.

USN is committed to the sport and wants to empower enduro athletes with the nutritional tools and information they need to succeed and enjoy these gruelling sporting events.

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What are the tips and tools every novice rider should know to tackle this three-day navigational enduro?

The USN Matat2Pont is an extreme challenge, even for seasoned riders. However, with proper preparation, even a novice can conquer it.

Focus on building your endurance well before the race, sharpening your navigation skills with a GPS and maps, mastering essential off-road riding techniques, and learning basic bike maintenance to fix flats and troubleshoot minor issues on the trail.

Gear up for the adventure! Ensure your bike is in top shape, and bring a reliable GPS with race maps, a backup battery pack, and essential safety gear.

A hydration pack with plenty of water and high-calorie snacks will fuel your ride. Consider a support crew for assistance at checkpoints, but remember to pace yourself, stay hydrated and fuelled.

Aim to consume at least 90g of carbs per hour from a combination of USN gels, bars and endurance drinks, and be prepared for various weather conditions.

Most importantly, prioritise safety and enjoy the challenge – the USN Matat2Pont is an incredible race with stunning scenery and a unique atmosphere.

What are the unique characteristics of the USN Matat2Pont route, and which riding skills are vital to navigating the course successfully?

The USN Matat2Pont route presents a unique challenge for riders. Over three days, it stretches across 355km of ever-changing terrain, demanding exceptional endurance and adaptability. Riders will encounter mountains, valleys, rivers and scenic landscapes, requiring them to switch between riding styles on the fly.

Navigation is another key challenge, with the course relying heavily on GPS skills. The final leg throws a unique twist: a challenging ride across the Umtamvuna River on the floating bridge at The Pont.

To conquer this route, riders must be technically proficient, skilled navigators with GPS, extremely fit with excellent pacing strategies, and possess basic bike maintenance skills to keep their machines rolling throughout the race. Having proper nutrition readily available is also crucial.

How should riders structure their ride-specific training for an event like the USN Matat2Pont?

Conquering the USN Matat2Pont demands a structured training plan that combines endurance building, navigation practice, technical skill development, and strategic USN supplementation.

Gradually extend training rides to mirror the 355km course, using USN Epic Pro for sustained energy. Integrate GPS exercises into rides fuelled by USN VOOMA Endurance bars.

Seek out training grounds with similar terrain, utilising USN Cramp Block tablets to ward off cramps during technical practice.

Finally, participate in practice races, strategically using USN Pro Recover to optimise post-race recovery and prepare your body for the challenge that awaits at the USN Matat2Pont.

How should riders physically prepare for an event like the USN Matat2Pont?

  • Mirror the course: Gradually extend rides to match the distances and incorporate similar climbs to prepare for technical sections.
  • Strength and core: Complement rides with gym work focused on core and overall strength, which is crucial for handling unpredictable terrain like cattle tracks.
  • Technical mastery: Seek training grounds that mimic the racecourse’s technical challenges and practice low gear climbing techniques. Develop bike handling skills through drills, emphasizing loose terrain and uneven surfaces.
  • Nutrition and supplementation: Consider incorporating a strategic supplement plan, like USN’s Epic Pro 2 drink for sustained energy during rides and USN gels for quick energy boosts.

What is an effective strategy to tackle each stage?

Conquering the USN Matat2Pont requires a multi-day approach.

  1. Day 1 emphasises pacing, navigation, and staying fuelled for the long haul.
  2. Day 2 throws down the technical gauntlet, demanding sharp riding skills and focus on navigating challenging terrain. While day 2 is generally considered the toughest due to technical demands, all three days require significant effort.
  3. Day 3 is a mental battle, pushing riders to dig deep and maintain a steady pace to conquer fatigue and reach the finish line.

Why should athletes use supplements to meet your energy demands during rides?

Endurance athletes require top-quality nutritional support to achieve peak performance. During endurance events, you can burn a significant number of calories – around 4 000 kcal (16 700 kJ) over just four hours. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly equivalent to one 1 kilo tub of USN Pro Recover.

Therefore, consuming enough easily digestible nutrients throughout your rides and during recovery is crucial.

Protein plays a vital role in muscle recovery, breaking down into amino acids essential for repairing and rebuilding your working muscles. The protein in USN Pro Recover makes it the ideal supplement for muscle recovery.

What is the USN supplement strategy?

Four days before the race:

Before and during each stage:

After each stage:

What technical and nutritional support can riders expect on the route?

Expect limited technical support on the USN Matat2Pont. Riders should be self-sufficient with basic repairs.

USN excels in nutrition, offering a supplement plan, hydration and nutrition products at each water point, including USN bars and gels, and USN Pro Recover at the finish line to jump-start next-day recovery.

What are the most effective ways to recover between stages to ensure you have enough strength and energy to tackle all three days?

Between stages at the USN Matat2Pont, a multi-pronged recovery approach is crucial to ensure riders have the strength and energy to tackle all three days.

The immediate focus should be refuelling with a recovery drink like USN Pro Recover and rehydrating with USN Zero Sugar Hydrate and USN Cramp Block.

This strategic combination replenishes electrolytes, combats fatigue, and sets the stage for optimal recovery, allowing riders to arrive at the start of next day’s stage fully prepared.