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<\/a><\/p>\nThe best bet might be an Epic newbie, Robyn de Groot. Although relatively new to mountain biking she has already won the marathon national championships twice, and finished sixth at the marathon world championships last year. She will be riding with Sweden\u2019s Jennie Stenerhag, herself a two-times national champion, in Team Ascendis Health. How does De Groot fancy her chances? \u201cWith this being my first Absa Cape Epic and such a strong women\u2019s field it is hard to say. I guess (our objective) will be to ride our bikes to the best of our ability as a team. Like any competitive athlete the podium will be an objective and something we will be striving towards.\u201d Stenerhag, who has two Epic finishes to her name, concurred: \u201cThe goal is to try to get on to the podium. But Epic is Epic and the competition is tough, so anything can happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
In September of last year De Groot and Stenerhag convincingly won the PE to Plett four-day mountain bike stage race. \u201cI feel Jennie and I compliment one another as riding partners,\u201d said De Groot. \u201cWe both operate professionally, seem to make similar decisions and share ways of thinking during both the good times and bad times. We did three stage races together last year so we know that the partnership works and we know each other well,\u201d added Stenerhag. \u201cWe have a very similar riding style, which makes for a perfect combination.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that Annika Langvad (Denmark) and Ariane Kleinhans (Switzerland) will be the favourites \u201csince they won last year and also won the Swiss Epic together. But there are many teams this year which stand a good chance of winning. Sally Bigham (Great Britain) and Esther Suss (Switzerland) are coming back with different partners and Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja (Norway) is one of the best mountain bikers in the world: we cannot count her out even if she does not have experience of stage races.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked about the team dynamic in an event of this nature, De Groot said: \u201cIf other stage races are anything to go by it is a huge factor. This sport is incredibly harsh, it tests your limits in so many ways \u2026 that dynamic may even become the fuel within the team when the going gets tough.\u201d Stenerhag again shares her teammate\u2019s sentiments: \u201cThe team dynamic is very important, almost more important then having two strong riders in the team. You must be able to help each other no matter what happens, and also understand each other when the going gets tough! It is also important that you get along well off the bike.\u201d<\/p>\n