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ABSA Cape Epic 2009
Every year sees committed mountain bikers training for the ABSA Cape Epic, known to some internationals as the Cap Epic. The Cape Epic mountain bike race is not open to the general public. Which is probably a good thing, because anyone who is not fit enough to take on this monster of an event, may regret it dearly later on.
Part of the race is on privately owned land, which is opened up once a year for the race, in support of the race by the landowners. However, trespassers will not be let off easily. If caught, expect a lifetime ban!
The ABSA Cape Epic started at Table Mountain this year, and finished at Lourensford Wine Estate. But the route differs every single year. The stage towns are always different, and the general route is revealed only 6 months prior to the race, on the official website of the race. The finer details however, are not revealed until the start of the actual race.
Cape Epic training consists of hundreds of kilometres of endurance training and there is a definite requirement for commitment and determination in the mindset of those who wish to finish the Cape Epic stage race.
With a combination of single track, rugged jeep tracks and fast flowing gravel roads with as little tar as possible, the daily stages are usually between 80 and 140km.
The 2009 race saw the following results:
Men’s Classification Overall Leaders
Karl Platt (Germany) and Stefan Sahm (Germany) of Team Bulls – 28:10.13,8
Masters Classification Overall Leaders
Doug Brown (RSA) and Bärti Bucher (Switzerland) of Team ABSA Masters – 31:20.39,5
Mixed Classification Overall Leaders
Nico Pfitzenmaier (RSA) and Alison Sydor (Canada) of Team Adidas Big Tree – 32:13.09,5
Ladies Classification Overall Leaders
Sharon Laws (England) and Hanlie Booyens (RSA) of Team ABSA Ladies – 37:18.19,8
This year’s race was one of the toughest and most competitive yet. It was a gripping finish that ended seven gruelling stages. The seventh stage was the final test, but for a second year running, the exhausted German team won the event in style.