After 28 hours 44 minutes and 44 seconds, Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser partnered with local hero and current World espoir XC world champion, Burry Stander, to romp home to victory in this years Cape Epic. The event is a legendary 7 day race through the South African bush, athletes battling the heat, wildlife and some of the world finest XC riders.
Race article below by Yolandè Pretorius:
ABSA Cape Epic presented by Adidas, is one of the largest mountain bike stage race in the world. With nearly 2 000 participants every year, this is not only for the Elite riders but as well for the Amateur riders who wants to put their mental, physical ability to the test. Elite riders are awarded UCI points and prize money after every stage finish. Kevin Vermaak, organizer of this endurance event started it in 2004 and after 8 years, this event is a success. Every single rider, team who finished the event always come back again. While lots of hours are spent to make this not only a successful race but also make it a showcase what South Africa has to offer.
Every cyclist who participates, have a story to tell, some of them not only do it for themselves but ride for a charity of their choice. Long hours of training goes into this and certainly you put your body to the test as this is definitely not an easy event. Like they say, you are not a true mountain biker until you’ve finished this event.
Here is a little insight in the ABSA Cape Epic.
The Cape Epic takes place every year around the last week of March and the first week of April. The race is held over 8 days and includes a time-trial prologue. The route changes every year, and leads aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through approximately 800 kilometres of the unspoilt nature of the Western Cape and up approximately 16 000m of climbing over some of the most magnificent passes in South Africa.
Ride in Teams of Two
All riders must enter as a two-rider team. Teams register in one of four different categories that include Men, Ladies, Mixed and Masters (both riders must be 40 years or older on race day). The minimum age of participation is 18 on race day. The riders in a team must remain together at all times during the race and are expected to reach the finish line by 17h00 daily. At each stage, the winners of the day receive prizes and the leaders in the overall classification are awarded their leader jerseys.
Focus on Rider Satisfaction
The Absa Cape Epic is organised and presented with all participating athletes at the focal point. The athletes’ satisfaction, well-being and enjoyment of the race are the organisers’ primary goals. We aim to deliver an unsurpassed and unforgettable mountain bike and African travel-experience. Therefore, we offer 24-hour full service facilities during the race, including tented accommodation in race villages, carbo-loaded breakfasts and dinners, race nutrition, bike servicing, masseurs, and stage location specific entertainment every evening.
New Route Every Year
The route of the Absa Cape Epic changes every year and riders will see wide open African plains, majestic mountains, deep ravines, indigenous forests, spectacular coastlines and flourishing vineyards.
The route is characterised by dusty and demanding gravel paths, strenuous rocky uphills, thrilling technical downhills, magnificent river crossings and stunning forested single tracks.
Full Service Race
The Absa Cape Epic is the largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world. Race nutrition, water, and isotonic carbohydrate drinks are available at the feed zones to revive tired riders during the race. At night, all riders and race crew sleep in the tented race villages that are set up prior to arrival and taken down immediately after the start each morning by the race crew.
If you are keen on doing this event, entries for the 2012 edition are open. Visit http://www.cape-epic.com/ for more details
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