Events

2016 Absa Cape Epic entries open on Monday

By Press Office · 114 comments

The 2015 Absa Cape Epic is over … now it is time to get your place in next year’s event.

Tomorrow, 23 March, would-be participants get their first opportunity to enter the 2016 race when the early bird entries open at 15h00 (GMT+2).

The early bird system gives the first 100 entrants a place on a first come, first served basis. Last year early bird entries sold out almost instantaneously. It is the only way to get into the race on a first come, first served basis, so get yourself in line online at www.cape-epic.com and click on the link from the homepage.

ccs-62657-0-35872600-1427036622.jpg

Photo by Nick Muzik/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS.

The lottery, on the other hand, will open immediately after the early bird entries are sold and run until May 30, 2015. Professional riders can apply for a wildcard entry if they hold a valid UCI racing license and have appropriate racing qualifications. Those riders wishing to support one of the official charities, can buy a charity entry and thereby support a good cause. Entries are also available for media on request, but are limited. Lastly, Absa Cape Epic volunteers receive a guaranteed entry to the following year’s race.

Successful lottery entrants will be notified at the beginning of June, and can start their training programmes in anticipation of next year’s race. The cost is R59 600 per team.

Those interested can register for the lottery on the website at www.cape-epic.com after the early bird process is completed.

Kevin Vermaak, Founder of the Absa Cape Epic, said: “Historically, the early bird entries have sold out within seconds. International demand to ride the Absa Cape Epic is growing year on year and the lottery system is the most unbiased way of managing the demand. In this way, we allow new riders from around South Africa and the world to participate annually. Next year’s event will take place from 13 to 20 March and we look forward to welcoming all participants to the Untamed African Mountain Bike Race”.

Date: 13 – 20 March 2016

Early Bird Entries Open Time: 15:00 South African time (GMT+2)

Date: Monday 23 March 2015

Entry Fee: R59 600

Public Lottery Closes: 30 May 2015

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Comments

duringd
duringd

Mar 23, 2015, 9:51 AM

I think in USD terms the Epic is cheaper this year compared to last year.  :mellow:

Rand is strengthening this morning. Must be the 40% offshore funds being parked to buy early bird entries.

Plentipotential
Plentipotential

Mar 23, 2015, 9:57 AM

I disagree with that part of your comment.

 

We can all afford to run the Comrades. A pair of shoes, a qualifying race, a trip to Durban and a modest entry fee. But we don't all run it because to do so requires a serious commitment of time, efffort and discomfort.

 

The same is of Epic. I wonder sometimes how many of the people who complain about the cost would actually DO the race even if they were given an entry.

 

I bought an early bird entry a few years back, R25 k or just about, got busy training and then after 6 months realised that it required more commitment than I was prepared to give so I sold the entry.

 

It's a huge part of your life for most of the year if you want to enjoy it and at R60 k you would feel that you need to get everything out of it to justify that kind of effort. Well it would be for me anyway. The sacrifices were not worth it in the end.

 

Am I sorry? Once a year when the race comes around for a few minutes, then I get busy planning something else.

Plentipotential
Plentipotential

Mar 23, 2015, 10:01 AM

I should add, Kevin Vermark has done well. He started it, built a brand, made some money and had some fun, good luck to him selling the business. And don't forget that, it's a business. He does not get out of bed every morning thinking that he owes the average Joe an affordable entry into a world class MTB event, hell, the Worlds Premier MTB stage race.

@ndy
@ndy

Mar 23, 2015, 11:00 AM

It's not so much about the money to make the effort, it's about the cost of not finishing because of taking an economics based decision - putting in 6 months to a year of effort to do the event, spending a fair amount, and then failing to finish because of - lets say making a decision to run a marginal chain/tire for the last day for economic reasons - really bad decision making...

 

And you do see a fair amount of that in eny big event - so doing everything possible to minimise risk is sometimes the best way to go.

 

Let me give you another example - I have done 2 with the same partner (and if we get an entry we will be on the line next year again) - in those 2 efforts we have broken 1 frame and had it replaced under warrantee mid Epic, and broken the rear triangle on the other bike on the final day - and limped home - to be waranteed back home.

 

So - lets look at the decisions here:

 

1 - Ride a newish bike under warrantee (sure it has cost more) but look at what whould have happened if it had not been under warrantee? DNF... or buy a new one mid ride? what is the cost of that?

2 - Ride a brand name bike - (more expensive) - we choose to ride bikes where the manufacturer/importer is on-site at the Epic - see above why.... if the spares are not on site, then you will again be foreced to DNF or buy a new one... even if it is warranteed later, that is of no use to you... Sure you may be able to borrow a mates bike... but whats the  guarantee on that?

 

Take a look at the dropout rate amongst the exxaro riders as an example - it is enlightening.

Thats a good point. Which brands are supported at the event and do they all have plenty of kit for warranty purposes?. If I can get an entry I need to upgrade my bike and I hadn't considered this aspect.

Rider3000
Rider3000

Mar 23, 2015, 11:12 AM

With 60K... im sure you can go ride somewhere in europe for a week ! Just my thought..

 

Anyway i think this will turn into a fully PRO race in the future!  (which is not a bad thing)  :thumbup:

The Bull Shark
The Bull Shark

Mar 23, 2015, 11:21 AM

With 60K... im sure you can go ride somewhere in europe for a week ! Just my thought..

 

Anyway i think this will turn into a fully PRO race in the future!  (which is not a bad thing)  :thumbup:

 

 

I don't think they will be able to attract enough pros to fill the event.  

Shebeen
Shebeen

Mar 23, 2015, 12:06 PM

These entries are sold on a first come, first served basis. Fill in your full name, ID or passport number and email address in the form below (this will appear at 15:00). The full entry fee is due immediately by credit card or EFT (proof of payment must be faxed or emailed by 9am the following day) in order to secure the entry.

 

wonder if anyone ever did the nigerian 419 scam on them with dodgy deposit slips?worth a shot for a laugh?

AuctionLamb
AuctionLamb

Mar 23, 2015, 12:26 PM

With 60K... im sure you can go ride somewhere in europe for a week ! Just my thought..

 

Anyway i think this will turn into a fully PRO race in the future!  (which is not a bad thing)  :thumbup:

 

They will still ask you if you have done the Epic...

sdaghers
sdaghers

Mar 23, 2015, 1:01 PM

Less than 1 minute and they were already closed.....

cpelser
cpelser

Mar 23, 2015, 1:02 PM

I'm in on their website, anyone want me to register for them?

 

I'll keep the form open for another 5minutes, will register with your name, email, ID etc, therefore basically enter as you...

 

PM me, by 15:10 I close the form and the entry is lost!

koukie
koukie

Mar 23, 2015, 1:02 PM

Man that was fast!!

_David_
_David_

Mar 23, 2015, 1:03 PM

 

So it took 9sec, if you missed it:

koukie
koukie

Mar 23, 2015, 1:03 PM

I'm in on their website, anyone want me to register for them?

I think you are to late

V12man
V12man

Mar 23, 2015, 1:03 PM

Under 30 sec....

 

But I am in.... :)

cpelser
cpelser

Mar 23, 2015, 1:04 PM

I think you are to late

No Im not.

 

Have the form open...

koukie
koukie

Mar 23, 2015, 1:05 PM

No Im not.

 

Have the form open...

Ok then enter me please

koukie
koukie

Mar 23, 2015, 1:05 PM

No Im not.

 

Have the form open...

I also completed the form but was to late??

cpelser
cpelser

Mar 23, 2015, 1:07 PM

I also completed the form but was to late??

Hmm, PM me you ID, email etc and I'll see if it goes through for you this side..

Vlamrouge
Vlamrouge

Mar 23, 2015, 1:07 PM

What is the split between early bird, corporate entries, pro entries and lotto entries?

Shebeen
Shebeen

Mar 23, 2015, 1:08 PM

Under 30 sec....

 

But I am in.... :)

but can you rustle together enough cash for the entry in the next 24hours?

cpelser
cpelser

Mar 23, 2015, 1:10 PM

Lol, okay seems I just managed to open the form, not get in! :)

 

Didn't matter though, tried to get in for a colleague who managed to secure his own entry.

The Bull Shark
The Bull Shark

Mar 23, 2015, 1:12 PM

Best option is to get on the volunteer list, once your'e in as volunteer, open an investment account to save for the following year's guaranteed entry.

SwissVan
SwissVan

Mar 23, 2015, 1:12 PM

Aggh scheizer :cursing:  I woke up 13 minutes to late

V12man
V12man

Mar 23, 2015, 1:13 PM

but can you rustle together enough cash for the entry in the next 24hours?

Maybe...

slabs
slabs

Mar 23, 2015, 1:13 PM

Nice business...0 - R600k in 9 seconds!

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