Olympic gold medalist Jaroslav Kulhav\u00ff (28) of Czechoslovakia, will team up with defending champion Christoph Sauser (36) of Switzerland, in this year\u2019s Absa Cape Epic. The event, which takes place from 17 to 24 March 2013, will once again take 1 200 riders through some of the Western Cape\u2019s most unspoilt territory.<\/p>\n
The race will kick-off with the prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville and end 698km later at its traditional Lourensford Wine Estate finish.<\/p>\n
Weighing in at 77kg and standing 1.87m tall, Kulhav\u00ff has been racing professionally since 1996. Besides winning last year\u2019s Summer Olympics in London, he placed third at the World Cup. In 2011, he was both the World and European Champion. He was the Czech National Marathon Champion as well as European Champion in 2010.<\/p>\n
Commenting on participating in his first Absa Cape Epic, Kulhav\u00ff says: \u201cI feel great at the moment, but I know the race will be very hard. I started training later this season than last year. I think Christoph and I\u2019ll be a good combination. We\u2019ve competed in several races together and we\u2019re both very strong. If we don\u2019t have any trouble, there is a big chance for us to win stages and finish on the podium overall. We need a lot of luck!\u201d<\/p>\n
The duo will not train together. \u201cWe\u2019ll see each other at races. I train long hours at the moment and am riding about 200km per day. I don\u2019t follow a special diet, but I need to lose 2kg before the Absa Cape Epic. I generally eat a lot of vegetables, pasta and good quality meat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Kulhav\u00ff comments: \u201cI thought I\u2019d have some more free time this season, but with the Absa Cape Epic, then the Sea Otter, World Cups and so on, I\u2019m going to be busy. The season looks difficult, but I look forward to it!\u201d<\/p>\n
He reckons his advantage over other riders is his \u201cgood technical control and high standard of performance on the best full suspension bike on the world\u201d.<\/p>\n
In his free time, he is building a new house. \u201cI like to build in my free time and relax with my girlfriend, family and friends. I\u2019d really like to finish the house this year and then lead a more relaxing life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lourensford Wine Estate will once again host the finish of the race and the Grand Finale celebrations on 24 March 2013. The Grand Finale will kick off with live entertainment, a Farmer\u2019s Market, delectable food and wine as well as glorious scenery. Vantage points will be accessible to the general public, so that all may have a piece of the mountain biking action. Entrance is free.<\/p>\n