Expect the unexpected – it’s all about the 9th edition of the untamed, African, mountain bike stage race – ABSA Cape Epic. Top professional and amateur mountain bikers from around the world, will be gathering on the 25th of March 2012 for the official start to which is described as the world’s largest mountain bike stage race. They say, you are not a true mountain biker until you completed this world class event.
According to Kevin Vermaak, founder of the ABSA Cape Epic, statistics shows that 88% out of the 100% of rider that participated in the 2011 edition completed it. But Leon Evans known as Dr Evil (Route designer) rates this year’s route as one of the best, but also potentially very tough, so your training will be rewarded. Vermaak also added: “This year we welcome riders from 46 different countries to South Africa. I’m happy that amongst these riders are more professional women mountain bikers than ever before. This is a response to our ladies category race being awarded UCI HC status, which means more prize money and valuable UCI points for our women racers too. Similarly, the ABSA African Jersey winners will receive an additional R100 000 in prize money, taking our total prize purse at the 2012 ABSA Cape Epic to over R750 000 – richest purse in the world of endurance mountain biking.”
UCI president, Pat McQuaid said the following: “Over eight days they cover around 800 kilometres through varied terrain and spectacular countryside in what is an extremely tough but rewarding physical experience. While some are aiming for a place on the final victory podium, many more just want to make it to the finish on the last day. And that is the beauty of the ABSA Cape Epic. During one week, amateurs rub shoulders with the world’s elite, riding the same course, climbing the same mountain and facing the same conditions.”
Who to follow:
Men’s category
Defending champions 360NE Songo.info-Specialized of Burry Stander (South African) – Christoph Sauser (Switzerland)
Team Bulls
Karl Platt (Germany) – Stefan Sahm (Germany)
360Life
Kevin Evans (South Africa) – David George (South Africa)
Multivan Merida Biking
Hannes Genze (Germany) – Andreas Kugler (Switzerland)
ToPeak-Ergon Racing
Alban Lakata (Austria) – Robert Mennen (Germany)
Stöckli Pro Team
Urs Huber (Switzerland) – Konny Looser (Switzerland)
Ladies Category
Wheeler/ToPeak Ergon
Sally Bigham (England) – Esther Süss (Switzerland)
MTN Qhubeka/Fischer-BMC
Karien van Jaarsveld (South Africa) – Jane Wussli (Switzerland)
KTM-Stihl-3 Vali Biasca
Sofia Pezzati (Switzerland) – Sandra Klomp (Italy)
Facts: 2011 ABSA Cape Epic – Stage 6
Average Heart Rate (%) – 70
Metres climbed (m) – 2700
Energy Consumption (kj) – 5100
Average Power (watts) – 240
Intensity Factor (IF) – 0.75
Normalised Power – 295
TSS Value (Training Stress Score) – 350
Nutrition
3230kg of pasta, rice and potatoes was consumed during the 2011 event.
Towns/Destinations
Meerendal Wine Estate – Durbanville
Robertson
Calendon
Oak Valley-Elgin
Lourensford Wine Estate – Somerset West
Prologue:
Venue: Meerendal Wine Estate – Durbanville
Date: Sunday 25th March
Start-Finish: Meerendal Wine Estate
Distance: 27km
Climbing: 900m
Stage 1:
Venue: Robertson
Date: Monday 26th March
Start- Finish: Robertson
Distance: 115km
Climbing: 2350m
Stage 2:
Venue: Robertson
Date: Tuesday 27th March
Start-Finish: Robertson
Distance: 119km
Climbing: 1650m
Stage 3:
Venue: Robertson/Caledon
Date: Wednesday 28th of March
Start-Finish: Robertson/Caledon
Distance: 147km
Climbing: 2900m
Stage 4:
Venue: Caledon
Date: Thursday 29th March
Start-Finish: Caledon
Distance: 105km
Climbing: 2600m
Stage 5:
Venue: Caledon/Oak Valley-Elgin
Date: Friday 30th March
Start-Finish: Caledon/Oak Valley-Elgin
Distance: 119km
Climbing: 2350m
Stage 6:
Venue: Oak Valley-Elgin
Date: Saturday 31st March
Start-Finish: Oak Valley-Elgin
Distance: 85km
Climbing: 2200m
Stage 7:
Venue: Oak Valley-Elgin-Lourensford Wine Estate
Date: Sunday 1st April
Start-Finish: Lourensford Wine Estate
Distance: 64km
Climbing: 1350m
Entries for the 2013 ABSA Cape Epic will be opening soon!
Website: www.cape-epic.com
Twitter: @AbsaCapeEpic
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