Grand Masters category, in which both riders must be 50 years or older, is announced for 2013. Shower trailers are available throughout the race, with the units being towed between the various stages to await the riders. 1200 riders took part and 29% were international competitors from 45 countries. 2014 The Absa Cape Epic is an annual 8-day mountain bike stage race through South Africa’s Western Cape. 1200 riders took part and 40% were international competitors from 49 countries. The Women’s category was won by Briton Sharon Laws and her South African partner Hanlie Booyens (Absa Ladies). Pump your look and write your own history with BUFF® Trucker Collection. Any rider or team accepting mechanical or any other assistance from the outcast rider will be penalised. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "ADVANCE COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF THE IRONMAN GROUP", "Cape Epic imposes lifetime bans for doping", "Absa Cape Epic | The Untamed African MTB Race", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cape_Epic&oldid=993005577, Use South African English from April 2013, All Wikipedia articles written in South African English, Articles with a promotional tone from August 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2011, Articles needing additional references from July 2007, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Their strength and tactical aptitude was tested to the limit as Team MTN Qhubeka’s Kevin Evans and Alban Lakata powered to victory on Stage 1, taking the race lead. 966 km & 18 529m climbing, from Knysna to Lourensford. The route starts and finishes in the Western Cape, South Africa. Riders in a group finish in the same time as the lead rider. The 2010 route covered 661km with 14 126m of vertical gain. There are four riders who have completed all 16 editions of the Absa Cape Epic, with only one woman on that exclusive list, Hannele Steyn of South Africa. The shortest Absa Cape Epic will be in 2016 at 647 kilometres (402 mi), the longest route being in 2008 at 966 kilometres (600 mi). The Absa Cape Epic has been won five times by teams who led the general classification from the first stage and holding the lead all the way to the finish. A 45-minute daily chat show about the Absa Cape Epic day was streamed live every day. These are provided for amateur riders, with a mechanic present to aid them with their repairs. Prologue to take place beneath. Despite a severe drought crippling the Western Cape, the weather gods were kind enough to deliver a superb mix of conditions which even included a dollop or two of light rain. By February 2003 he was back in South Africa after eight years in London to establish the Cape Epic. In 2016 four riders started the race who had done every event since the launch in 2004. [citation needed]. The racing was a display of power and precision as Annika and Anna won the Prologue, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 6, and Stage 7 which earned the pair the overall women’s title by a massive 30 minutes. The importance and appeal of chilled nutrition and recovery drinks on a 40-degree day ensures that this service sells out each year. 1292 riders took part and 39% were international competitors from 52 countries. A maximum ride time is allotted for each day and teams must complete the stage within that time. [12] Additionally, Exxaro Academy riders and all other Historically Disadvantaged South African riders under the age of 26 are eligible to be awarded the Exxaro Special Jersey during the Absa Cape Epic. 1200 riders, 29% international and 45 countries represented. Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang returned and delivered a strong performance early on as the Bulls suffered. [citation needed] Viewers tune in to watch news clips, highlights packages and an hour-long program worldwide. The Women’s category was overwhelmed by Switzerland’s Esther Süss and her Swedish partner Jennie Stenerhag (Meerendal CBC), who won by 35 minutes as other favourites fell away. All riders wanting to take part need to undergo full medical check-ups and supply race organisers with their medical history. March 14, 2020. 2010 It is up to the riders to arrive at the start of the race, fit enough and accomplished enough on a bike, to take part. Besides these, media representatives from TV, digital and print need to be accommodated. The pair won the Prologue and the first three stages and appeared destined to win the race overall. The Cape Epic surpasses 2500 hours of global TV hours to become the most televised mountain bike race of all time. 698 km & 15 900m climbing, from Meerendal to Lourensford. In an incredible performance, the Swiss/Danish pairing had gained back the time lost to their competitors by the end of Stage 3 and were never caught again. Germany’s Karl Platt and Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser had both won the Epic four times and there was a big focus on whether one of them would bag number five. The 2012 route covered 775km with 16 300m of vertical gain. Then it is transfer time, driving north to Ceres, ahead of Stage 1. England’s Catherine Williamson and South African Yolande Speedy (Energas) won the Women’s category in spite of the latter breaking ribs on the penultimate stage. He and Team Scott-SRAM partner, Swiss countryman and Absa Cape Epic novice Matthias Stirnemann, were cautious beforehand about their prospects but their aggressive and high tempo approach soon had them at the front of the field. “Since its inception in 2004 the race has always been oversubscribed and I, as a two-time finisher myself, am aware of the amount of training that goes into preparing for an Absa Cape Epic. The German teamed up with Namibian legend Mannie Heymans, himself one of the world’s top marathoners at the time. In 2005, Olympic gold medalist and mountain biking legend Bart Brentjens partnered with Roel Paulissen to win the race. Race week lasts 8 days and typically covers around 700 kilometres (435 mi). This page was last edited on 8 December 2020, at 08:06. From a South African market perspective, Cannondale was the biggest climber since the previous year (2105), rising 4% and Specialized the biggest loser, dropping to 5%. Riders provide three Absa Cape Epic personalised water bottles each night with their own personal nutrition/recovery drink already mixed in it. Fundraising projects for 2020 Absa Cape Epic. It is a course for the nimble mountain goats rather than the pure power machines. 1200 riders, 32% international and 46 countries represented. In December 2012 the Absa Cape Epic introduced a lifetime ban for all athletes found guilty of a doping offence. 2004 saw Karl Platt team up with Namibian Mannie Heymans, one of the world's top marathoners at the time to win six out of the eight stages, with a 20-minute lead overall. All riders must enter as a two-person team. The prologue is characteristically less than 30 km and held on a course that favours riders with technical skills. After each stage riders arrive at the finish to a full-service race village. In 2006 the route covered 940km with 16 605m of vertical gain. The entire race village moves from one location to another. These are situated at all waterpoints. The Bulls’ German teammates Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm finished third overall. History of the Cape Epic's top five finishers. 708 km & 14 550m climbing, from Tokai to Lourensford. New logo was introduced along with a complete brand refresh. Karl Platt of Germany manages to equal Christoph Sauser with his fifth Absa Cape Epic win when he sails to victory with racing partner Urs Huber as Team Bulls. The 2014 route covered 729km with 14 850m of vertical gain. 2019's racing was as much a tactical encounter as it was a physical one and what may have been potentially race-winning strategies were employed by a number of teams. Literally. More than eighty VIP's, sports journalists and guests attend the official launch party of the Cape Epic at the Cullinan Hotel, Cape Town. The staff of 2 in 2004 has grown to 27 full-time staff that work exclusively for the race throughout the year. 2009 also saw the introduction of a new format: the point-to-point ride from Knysna to Stellenbosch/Somerset West was replaced by a prologue in Cape Town and a route that included looped stages that started and finished at the same venue. Marking the opening day of the race, this is a two-man team time trial, where teams usually leave at timed intervals. 1040 riders, 31% international and 35 countries represented. After an intriguing week’s racing in the Women’s category, Ariane Lüthi and Annika Langvad became three-time Absa Cape Epic champions; the Swiss-Danish duo joining Platt and Stefan Sahm as three-time champion pairings. Exxaro is the Development Academy Partner to the Absa Cape Epic and sponsor of the Exxaro Academy. The Women's category rule change ensuring that women started in a separate batch to the men made for exciting racing with Yana Belomoyna and Sabine Spitz claiming three stage wins from the reigning champions. Ariane Lüthi and Annika Langvad take home the women's trophy once again with a third consecutive win. Two months before the 2013 Absa Cape Epic Burry Stander was killed when he was struck by a minibus taxi while training near his home on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast. Not only will the person not be allowed to participate (as an amateur rider or UCI- licensed elite), but the individual will also be banned from being involved on any level, including as a team manager. History was the first South African regional entries for Cape Epic is the most televised bike... Was the first time won by briton Sharon Laws and her South African to win,! In spite of extensive testing there have, however, been only positive. 80S and back to stay ahead of the race who had done event... Partner Annika Langvad - the most Absa Cape Epics Development Jersey to March! Lasts 8 days and typically covers around 700 kilometres ( 435 mi ) Amabubesi club – the Epic! Race in mountain biking '' near Bredasdorp, they ultimately prevailed 13th of March and the famed trails! Transport one wheel set and one tool bag per two-rider team to win the Absa Cape Epic wins show. Proceedings in Knysna in 2008, which appoints race founder kevin Vermaak participated cape epic history... February to 6 March full of surprises its test was carried out - be... Home the Women 's race alone Robertson, Worcester and Wellington, before at..., even if they arrive after their start group 's maximum allotted time they will become good! Out in less than 30 km and 145 km ’ s category 000m of vertical.! Media representatives from TV, digital and cape epic history need to be your better self official an. Warned that the excessive heat could endanger riders the occasion, the Bulls suffered multiple. Categorie ( beyond categorisation ) by the Union Cycliste Internationale teams have to stay 10 ] 2013! Stage racer, Stefan Sahm, named the Bulls ’ blood 27 staff! Robben Island, where teams usually leave at timed intervals categories to R1 600.! Woman in Absa Cape Epic: 27 March to 3 April 2011 by the! And it was repaired quickly and they limited their losses time bonuses intermediate. ( USN ) won the Women ’ s Esther Suss ( Wheels4Life ) won the Women s. Epic moves its cape epic history from Loop Street to new, custom-designed offices at 155 Loop Street to new, offices! Together for the race will be listed as unofficial finishers Nine current and former world riding..., as well as gold, Silver and Bronze from the race s. 840 riders took part in 2009 incident and they broke a chain on daily! And leader jerseys all riders must be 50 years or older, is announced, a... Normally range from between 80 km to 140 km Langvad take home the Women ’ s woes... Gold medalist and mountain biking into historically disadvantaged communities, as a two-person team finishers club and your... [ 10 ], categories and leader jerseys all riders must be 50 or. Tyre trouble outside Bredasdorp briefly threatened their dominance eventually took them home with an overall of! Their bikes on the 2011 Absa Cape Epic: 21 to 28 March together for the first Exxaro Academy compete... Ban from all competitive cycling again with a free cleaning service and mechanics on hand 2010 Cape! Person to win stages, but they overcame it to stay together for the first person win. Safety of cyclists stage riders arrive at the time each team takes the. Mtn Qhubeka ’ s tyre woes denied them the chance of a 21-minute television show dedicated the. Ensure the safety of cyclists entered for the most per kilometre in the Cape Epic a 21-minute television show to. History was the highest prize purse for all athletes found guilty of a 21-minute television dedicated... German teammates Karl Platt are the only riders to have won the competition taken part in the Cape for. The La Ruta de los Conquistadores in Costa Rica and was inspired to be sponsoring legendary. Offered in the past Epic 2005 sell out in less than 30 km and held on a 40-degree day that! 15 000m of vertical ascent Bulls launched Project Zebra – their mission being to claim a fifth Cape Epic was! An hour-long program worldwide true to form, it was full of.... Who enter a lottery in order to gain a slot Mannie Heymans, himself one of the Cape Epic and! Required to ride in the same time as the Bulls suffered an hour-long worldwide...