Recently retired international triathlon athlete Mari Rabie is enjoying her very first Absa Cape Epic immensely.
Rabie, who retired from international competition after last year’s Rio Olympics, partnered up with fellow Stellenbosch mountain biker and family friend Corrie Muller to race in the eight-day mountain bike stage race.
Marie Rabie and Corrie Muller before stage 5 of the 2017 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Oak Valley Wine Estate in Elgin, South Africa on the 24th March 2017. Photo by Greg Beadle/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
While this is Rabie’s first Epic, she can count on the experienced Muller has gained from his previous eight Epics.
“It was a tough start during the first few days at the Absa Cape Epic, but today was incredible. I had so much fun,” said Rabie after finishing Stage 3 at Elandskloof outside Greyton.
“There were nice climbs, singletrack and everything worked out for us after struggling in the first two days. In general, Corrie likes to talk a lot, but today he was quiet so I knew he was riding hard!”
According to Rabie, the knowledge and mental toughness that she learned as an international triathlete comes in handy.
“I know exactly where to sit in the bunch so that we could go first into the singletrack thanks to my days as road cyclist at triathlons. The mental toughness that you need for something like the Olympics also helps a lot when things get tough.”
As a little girl Rabie a was flower girl at Muller’s wedding.
“I saw Mari growing up and it’s a huge privilege to ride the Absa Cape Epic with her as my partner,” said Muller. “I told her that we should just have a jol on our mountain bikes this week, but as soon as the action starts our competitive instincts kick in and then we ride hard!
“The longer I’m in the sport the more important it becomes to me to take on events like the Cape Epic with purpose. And experiencing it with Mari gives more purpose than just finishing it,” said Muller.
Rabie added: “There is no pressure on me at the Absa Cape Epic. No expectations from anyone else or myself. I can just enjoy it and make the most of this incredible opportunity.”
