The Absa Cape Epic Prologue will be moving from its planned venue at the University of Cape Town to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville.
The decision follows consultation between the race management and the police over recent protests at UCT and the potential for further instability. The Prologue takes place on March 13 and was scheduled to start and finish on the UCT campus.
Stephan Sahm beginning his 2014 Absa Cape Epic in the Meerendal Prologue // Image credit: Karin Schermbrucker/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
“It is unfortunate to make the move at this late stage, but we have to prioritise the safety of all of our stakeholders and heed the advice that we have received,” said Absa Cape Epic Chief Executive Officer Lynn Naudé. The event on the day would be attended by riders, spectators, sponsor representatives, media, staff and crew.
Meerendal previously hosted the Absa Cape Epic Prologue in 2013 and 2014 and contains a network of mountain bike trails and other suitable facilities. “We are very grateful to Meerendal owner Herman Coertze for agreeing to host us,” said Naudé. “All preparations were already in place to host the Grand Finale at Meerendal on the 20th March and our team is currently adjusting our plans to also stage a world class Prologue on the wine estate on the 13th March.”
Other than the Prologue change, the rest of the Absa Cape Epic route will stay the same and takes the race to Tulbagh, Wellington and Stellenbosch.
