Epic Insider: Cape Wineland and single track spectacle on Stage 6
Today was a truly spectacular day on a bike. The shortest stage of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic at just 71km, though still featuring over 30km of single track and 2000m of climbing. While the day started off a bit wet and gloomy, when the clouds lifted riders were treated to some unbeatable Wineland vistas […]
Safety first for Sasol women’s category leaders
After a week of sand, rocks and long, brutal stretches of rough riding, riders at the Absa Cape Epic enjoyed something of a “fun” day out on Stage 6. Of course, fun is relative at the Cape Epic and the second last day of the race, while only 71km long, still featured 2000m of climbing […]
Drama on the finish line on stage 6
Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser is 87km away from becoming the first person to win the Absa Cape Epic five times after he and partner Jaroslav Kulhavy of the Czech Republic won Stage 6 in a sprint finish into Wellington on Saturday. For the first time in the seven days of the event Mother Nature chose to […]
Epic Insider: Balancing pain and pleasure on Stage 5
Riding a bike, in particular a bike race like the Cape Epic, is something special. You put yourself through all sorts of pain with a goal in mind. That goal might just be the top of a hill to reach a trail head or to tick off a bucket list entry like the Epic. Not […]
Kleinhans and Langvad on track for Absa Cape Epic glory
Not even an extension to the route distance could prevent Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad from storming to another stage victory at the Absa Cape Epic. On another hot, dry and dusty day at the event, Team RECM Specialized crossed the line in a time of 6:05.33,7. The only minor hiccup on the day was […]
Red hot racing for Absa African & Dimension Data masters jerseys
Two fierce “races within the race” are adding extra intrigue to the 2015 Absa Cape Epic. The first is the battle for the red Absa African special jersey, which has been worn by three teams and changed hands at the finish of each of the past three stages. The other is the race for the […]
Sauser & Kulhavy on brink of victory
Heat, dust, headwinds and a mechanical hiccup could not prevent Swiss Christoph Sauser and Czech Jaroslav Kulhavy from winning Stage 5 of the Absa Cape Epic from Worcester to Wellington on Friday – their fourth stage win of the 2015 race. Jaroslav Kulhavy and Christoph Sauser of Investec-Songo-Specialized celebrate winning 121km stage 5 and their […]
‘Race for red’ hots up in Absa Cape Epic
By their own admission Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes (Scott Factory Racing) took a “long shot” gamble by breaking away early in Wednesday’s 111km Stage 4 of the Absa Cape Epic. But it was a gamble that paid off handsomely and saw them winning the stage and donning the red Absa African special jersey. “We […]
Epic Insider: Finding our groove on Stage 4
Participating in a stage race usually means that you’re somewhat disconnected from friends and family. A few early morning messages and post ride chats keep you in touch, but for a good 5-9 hours you’re unaccounted for. Off the grid so to speak. Taking on our first Cape Epic, Dane and I have a small […]
The tough get going as going gets tough
Stage 4 of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic, a 111km loop of the Worcester countryside, finished much like the previous stage – with riders covered in sand, cursing the heat and rocky conditions of the route. And, of course, with Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad of Team RECM Specialized crossing the line first, well ahead […]
Buys, Beukes fly the South African flag
South Africans Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes notched up the first South African win in the 2015 Absa Cape Epic after an audacious early break on Wednesday’s rugged 111km Stage 4. The looped route – starting and finishing in Worcester – included some back-breaking climbs and rocky surfaces, giving rise to many tyre problems throughout […]
Epic Insider: Battling heat, hydration and humour on Stage 3
With the colder conditions over the past two stages I found myself drinking very little, often arriving at water points with a full bottle. Today though was a different story. It was hot, dry and windy. A water soaked shirt was dry in a matter of minutes. Any perspiration near instantly lapped up by the […]