2017 Official Rideguide Where to Who to Watch Watch
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THE UNTAMED AFRICAN MTB RACE www.cape-epic.com 2017 OFFICIAL RIDEGUIDE WHERE TO WHO TO WATCH WATCH ALL THE BEST ABSA SPECTATOR CAPE EPIC’S POINTS STRONGEST FIELD PLATT vs SAUSER A BLUEPRINT FOR THE WORLD WIN 2018 USN ABSA CAPE EPIC ENTRY 19-26 MARCH 2017 8 DAYS | 691KM | 15 400M CLIMBING | UNTAMED. A NEW MARK TO BE MEASURED BY The Absa Cape Epic is held in a place where anything can happen: Africa. Wild and open, sometimes inhospitable and other times staggeringly beautiful, this land both tests and surprises all who tackle its ungroomed trails. When the sounds of the cicadas are harsher than the heat they proclaim, when icy mornings lead to driving rain, you can be certain that both equipment and spirit will be pushed to the limit. In this place, where roads hardened year-round by the sun can turn to quicksand overnight, you and your partner will be challenged mentally, physically and emotionally. Yet still, Africa’s untamed majesty beckons. #UNTAMED BOOST ENERGY 3-Stage Glycomatrix carbohydrate BOOST OXYGEN drink for sustained energy during training and racing. Booster for optimal endurance REHYDRATES AND IMPROVES performance optimizer. RECOVERY AFTER TRAINING REPLACES ENERGY DURING INCREASES OXYGEN UPTAKE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OPTIMIZES MUSCLE PERFORMANCE WHEN BEFORE TRAINING OR EVENT AND DURING WHEN TRAINING AND EVENTS LASTING UP TO TWO DURING TRAINING OR EVENT AS WELL HOURS PREPARE 1 TO 3 HOURS 3 HOURS & MORE Precision formula with carbs, Complete ultra-endurance drink amino acids and electrolytes for optimal performance and for optimal performance. rapid recovery. REHYDRATES & ASSISTS WITH INCREASE MUSCLE RECOVERY RECOVERY RATE BETWEEN TRAINING EXTENDS POWER OUTPUT TIME HELPS PROMOTE ELECTROLYTE, GLYCOGEN AND AMINO ACID WHEN REPLACEMENT DURING INTENSE EVENTS PROMOTES PROLONGED ENERGY RELEASE DURING EVENTS/ STRENUOUS TRAINING WHEN TAKE BEFORE RACE, SMALL SIPS DURING PERFORM FUELLING RACE AND FULL SERVING AFTER RACE USN CHAMPIONS FULL BODY RECOVERY TEAM USN WINS THE RED AFRICAN JERSEY AT THE 2016 ABSA CAPE EPIC Scientifically formulated to accelerate the body’s recovery process after physical activity. REHYDRATE & L-GLUTAMINE OPTIMISED MUSCLE RECOVERY REPLENISHES ELECTROLYTES, Optimal sports rehydration drink GLYCOGEN & AMINO ACIDS with L-Glutamine. HELP REDUCE EXERCISE-RELATED HELPS TO REHYDRATE MUSCLE CRAMPING AND STIFFNESS HELPS REPLACE ELECTROLYTES WHEN AND PHOSPHATES AFTER DRINK WITHIN 30 MINUTES FOLLOWING AN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EVENT OR LONG TRAINING SESSION RECOVER WHEN TAKE AFTER A STRENUOUS EVENT OR TRAINING SESSION, OR WHEN REQUIRED TO REHYDRATE AND REPLENISH ELECTROLYTES 25050_SACE_CAPE EPIC SPONSOR DPS.indd 1 2017/01/09 09:05:20 AM BOOST ENERGY 3-Stage Glycomatrix carbohydrate BOOST OXYGEN drink for sustained energy during training and racing. Booster for optimal endurance REHYDRATES AND IMPROVES performance optimizer. RECOVERY AFTER TRAINING REPLACES ENERGY DURING INCREASES OXYGEN UPTAKE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OPTIMIZES MUSCLE PERFORMANCE WHEN BEFORE TRAINING OR EVENT AND DURING WHEN TRAINING AND EVENTS LASTING UP TO TWO DURING TRAINING OR EVENT AS WELL HOURS PREPARE 1 TO 3 HOURS 3 HOURS & MORE Precision formula with carbs, Complete ultra-endurance drink amino acids and electrolytes for optimal performance and for optimal performance. rapid recovery. REHYDRATES & ASSISTS WITH INCREASE MUSCLE RECOVERY RECOVERY RATE BETWEEN TRAINING EXTENDS POWER OUTPUT TIME HELPS PROMOTE ELECTROLYTE, GLYCOGEN AND AMINO ACID WHEN REPLACEMENT DURING INTENSE EVENTS PROMOTES PROLONGED ENERGY RELEASE DURING EVENTS/ STRENUOUS TRAINING WHEN TAKE BEFORE RACE, SMALL SIPS DURING PERFORM FUELLING RACE AND FULL SERVING AFTER RACE USN CHAMPIONS FULL BODY RECOVERY TEAM USN WINS THE RED AFRICAN JERSEY AT THE 2016 ABSA CAPE EPIC Scientifically formulated to accelerate the body’s recovery process after physical activity. REHYDRATE & L-GLUTAMINE OPTIMISED MUSCLE RECOVERY REPLENISHES ELECTROLYTES, Optimal sports rehydration drink GLYCOGEN & AMINO ACIDS with L-Glutamine. HELP REDUCE EXERCISE-RELATED HELPS TO REHYDRATE MUSCLE CRAMPING AND STIFFNESS HELPS REPLACE ELECTROLYTES WHEN AND PHOSPHATES AFTER DRINK WITHIN 30 MINUTES FOLLOWING AN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EVENT OR LONG TRAINING SESSION RECOVER WHEN TAKE AFTER A STRENUOUS EVENT OR TRAINING SESSION, OR WHEN REQUIRED TO REHYDRATE AND REPLENISH ELECTROLYTES 25050_SACE_CAPE EPIC SPONSOR DPS.indd 1 2017/01/09 09:05:20 AM A Special Event The 2017 Absa Cape Epic marks an important new phase in the event’s progress, but also an affirmation of all the work that has gone into getting it to the 14th edition. Following the acquisition by IRONMAN last year, the multinational events company, owned by Wanda Sports in China, has been very clear in its objective: it sees the Absa Cape Epic as the pinnacle event in an international series of mountain bike stage races. For our loyal riders and followers this means they can expect us to offer the same standard and type of event and that our trademark innovation will remain central to the race’s development. Founder Kevin Vermaak now heads up the global development of the stage race series for the business, ensuring a world class and memorable rider experience will remain 6 Messages core to this. We are delighted therefore to see 11 A Blueprint For The World the standard of the professional field Where to for the Absa Cape Epic? in 2017, with the reigning men’s and women’s Olympic cross country gold medallists taking part and with a host of other medallists and world champions in 12 A Year To Remember the field. 12 months of growth and change It is probably the strongest field yet Paarl to compete in the Absa Cape Epic: 2017 ROUTE MEERENDAL VAL DE VIE PROLOGUE the racing will be thrilling, but so will STAGE 7 the drama that is typical to the event V&A WATERFRONT REGISTRATION GREYTON CAPE TOWN throughout the field. Elandskloof ELGIN STAGE 3 STAGE 5 STAGE 6 Oak Valley Good luck to you all! STAGE 4 STAGE 2 STAGE 1 14 Route Intro Hermanus High School Lynn Naudé Something old, something new HERMANUS CEO Absa Cape Epic 17 Route Map A journey around the Western Cape 20 The Stages The route in detail 44 Get Involved Where and how to see the action Project Manager Sarah Harrop Art Director Christo Toua Mapping Craig Beech Contributors Chris Whitfield, David Moseley, Jonathan Ancer, Craig Kolesky Production Managers Media24 Photographic Contributors Gary Perkin, Dom Barnardt, Nick Muzik, Sven Martin, Emma Hill, Ewald Sadie, Warren Elsom, Sam Clark, Kelvin Trautman, Sportograf, Anton Bosman, Mark Sampson Absa Cape Epic Tel 021 426 4373 [email protected] www.cape-epic.com RIDEGUIDE 46 4 CONTENTS 46 Race Village 68 The Race For Red How it all works Absa African Jersey 49 Who To Watch: Men 70 2016’s Top Bikes 2017’s stellar field What the winners rode Gold Rush 55 Who To Watch: Women 72 New teams and new faces Olympic Champions at the Absa Cape Epic 60 Races Within The Race 75 The Untamed African Top contenders in Masters, MTB Race Grand Masters and Mixed Dealing with the unpredictable 62 A Developing Story 78 Charities Exxaro Special Jersey Engaging with our communities 66 Tour de France Winner’s 80 Epic in Numbers Epic Attempt All the statistics Cadel Evans takes on the Untamed African MTB Race 60 75 49 2017 ABSA CAPE EPIC RIDE GUIDE 5 MESSAGES From the UCI President As President of the UCI, one of my missions is to the UCI and Cycling South Africa which, under develop cycling worldwide and at all levels. This mission the Presidency of William Newman, also does a is facilitated thanks to events such as the Absa Cape tremendous job of developing our sport in South Epic, which is equally popular with the world’s elite Africa and beyond. athletes as it is with amateur riders and fans. Brian Cookson Elite and amateurs competing in the 2017 Absa President The enthusiasm and passion that this event triggers Cape Epic will share an unforgettable experience. UCI both in South Africa and worldwide is a huge boost to the mountain bike discipline, and my thanks Good luck. go to the organising team. It’s work staging this multi-stage race goes a long way to supporting From the Premier of the Western Cape It is my pleasure to welcome to our province all The Absa Cape Epic has also become known for participants in the 14th edition of the Absa Cape a range of social causes. We are grateful to the Epic. We consider it a privilege to have the Western organisers, sponsors and participants for their Cape hosting this event. contribution to community upliftment in the region. We believe that sport can play a crucial and life- The display of sportsmanship in the eight-day transforming role in young people’s lives and the Helen Zille race over 691km through the beautiful natural example of the cyclists also provides role models Western Cape environment is a legacy we want to build and share for our youth. Premier with visitors who come from other parts of South Western Cape Africa and around the world. I hope the 2017 Absa Cape Epic is the best one yet. The race has helped boost the Western Cape’s profile as a sporting destination, with challenging and spectacular cycling routes, for hosting world- class competitions. From the Mayor of Cape Town Over the years the Absa Cape Epic has established The race is a key contributor to our status as a itself as a leading feature on our city’s annual leading events destination. It also supports our sporting events calendar and it is one of the strategic objective of building Cape Town into the biggest sport attractions internationally. events capital of Africa. Patricia de Lille The City of Cape Town is again pleased to support So welcome to riders from both local and Executive Mayor this event, which attracts thousands of mountain international destinations and good luck for the City of Cape bike enthusiasts from across the world.