Absa Cape Epic

Race details
Date	March–April
Region	Western Cape, South Africa
Discipline	Mountain bike racing
Type	Stage race
Organiser	Grandstand Management
Race director	Kati Csak
History
First edition	2004 (2004)
Editions	9
First winner	Karl Platt (GER)  Mannie Heymans (NAM)
Most wins	Karl Platt (GER)
Most recent	Christoph Sauser (SUI)  Burry Stander (RSA)

The Cape Epic, under current sponsorship as the "Absa Cape Epic", is a two person team annual mountain bike stage race held in the Western Cape, South Africa. It has been accredited as a XCO event by the Union Cycliste Internationale. Teams have to race together for the entire distance of the race, looking after each other and their equipment.^[1] First staged in 2004, the race covers more than 700 kilometres (435 mi), and typically lasts eight days. The Absa Cape Epic attracts top riders from around the world, who compete in teams of two. The race is also open to amateurs, who enter a lottery in order to gain a slot. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages. Times to finish each stage are aggregated to determine the overall winning team at the end of the race. The team with the lowest aggregate time at the end of each day wears the yellow leaders’ jerseys. The course changes every year, but the race has always finished in the winelands of the Western Cape. Since 2007, the climax of the final stage has been at the Lourensford Wine Estate. The Absa Cape Epic was once described by Bart Brentjens, 1996 Olympic gold medallist in mountain biking, as the "Tour de France of mountain biking”.

Origins

Lying on a beach in Central America, founder Kevin Vermaak had just completed the 2002 Ruta del Conquistadores in Guatemala, and decided there to leave the world of London corporate banking and head to his home to Cape Town. It was there that he began dreaming of an event similar to La Ruta, but to let riders experience the beauty of South Africa. By January 2003 he had moved back to Cape Town, committed to making this dream a reality.^{[citation needed]}

Route

The route starts and finishes in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is redesigned every year. Race week typically lasts 8 days and typically covers around 700 kilometres (435 mi). The shortest Absa Cape Epic was in 2009 at 685 kilometres (425 mi), the longest in 2008 at 966 kilometres (600 mi). The route originally was a point-to-point race, beginning in Knysna and ending in the winelands of the Western Cape. This format changed in 2009, where riders spent multiple days in each stage location to ensure the route could fully explore the best mountain biking that the region had to offer. This format looks likely to be the way forward for the organisation.

Race concept

Two person team

All riders must enter as a two-person team. Teams register in one of four different categories that include Men, Ladies, Mixed and Masters (both riders must have a combined age of 40 years or older on race day). Initially the team concept was developed because stage racing often takes riders through some very remote areas, and having partners who are bound by the race rules to look after each other serves a very valuable safety function. A two-person team race originated as an adventure – but this concept of ‘looking after each other’ still runs deep in the ethos and technique of stage racing. It’s gone from being a necessity to an integral part of race tactics. Even the pros have to be in perfect sync, taking care of one another. Riders in a team must remain within 2 minutes of each other at all times during the race or face a one-hour penalty. This is enforced by means of timing mats places through the stage. After a third offence, the team is disqualified. Teams are expected to reach the finish line by the specified maximum stage time, team dynamics therefore are a major part of the race. ^[1]

Categories and leader jerseys

All riders aim to win stages, but mostly they want to win the overall general classification. The leading team wears a distinctive yellow jersey. This competition is decided by totaling the time each team takes on the daily stages. The team with the lowest overall time at the end of each stage receives ceremonial leaders’ jerseys and the right to start the next stage of the race in those jerseys. The team to receive the leaders’ jerseys after the last stage are the overall winners of the Absa Cape Epic. ^[2] The yellow colour is adopted from the Tour de France leader’s jersey (the colour of the pages of L-Equipe, the race’s initial sponsor).

Miscellaneous categories

There are four categories: men, women, mixed and masters. A team who leads more than one category wears the jersey of the most prestigious (yellow). The colours denoting the category leaders are: yellow – men; rust – ladies, green – mixed (a woman and a man), blue – masters (both riders must be 40 years or older on race day).

Blue numbers boards

Any rider who does not complete a stage within the maximum stage time for the first time will be classified as a blue board rider. Blue board riders will be entitled to continue the race (they may start the following stage), but will not be classified as official race finishers. Should any blue board rider fail for the second time to finish a stage within the maximum stage time or fail to start a stage, he or she will not be allowed to continue the race.

Outcast jersey

UCI licensed riders who lose their partners will be allowed to continue riding but without interfering in the race. They are required to ride in an Outcast Jersey. Riders in this jersey may not ride within the first 30 teams or interfere with the race or other categories such as the mixed or ladies teams. Any rider or team accepting mechanical or any other assistance from the outcast will be penalised. This will give the rider the opportunity to finish the race, be it unofficially, but still be part of the experience.

Internal technical and tactical support

It is allowed - any rider, including riders from the same sponsor (but not in the same 2-rider team) can provide technical assistance and equipment from his own bicycle to support another rider. Teams can also form alliances with other riders and teams, even if they are not of the same sponsor.

Pro-am aspect of the race

Amateurs use the same chute, ride the same course and stay in the same race village as the UCI registered riders, which include world and national champions and Olympic medalists.

Amabubesi

This is a loyalty programme to recognise riders that return each year to ride the Absa Cape Epic. "Amabubesi" means "pack of lions" in Zulu. In addition to a special certificate to honour their achievement members receive a set of benefits. Three finishes secures entry into the club, but as the race has matured, additional benefits have been reserved for riders that have completed a greater number of races. In 2013, a guaranteed slot at the Absa Cape Epic is reserved for those who have completed 6 events or more, without the need to enter the public lottery in order to obtain a start place. Special Amabubesi merchandise range is available only for members.

History

Timeline from 2002 to 2011

Stage types

Prologue

Marking the opening day of the race, this is a two-man team time trial, where teams usually leave at timed intervals. Riders use the prologue as an opportunity to be seeded in a faster group, ensuring a good position for the mass start the following day. The first ever prologue of the Absa Cape Epic was in Knysna in 2008. A sloping start ramp launches the team into motion after a countdown.

Mass and staggered start

In most stages of the race, teams start together, either in a mass start or in staggered, seeded group starts. As they roll out of the respective start towns, the teams are led by a vehicle, without racing. A short while later is the real start, setting riders on their way. The second member of the first team across the line wins. Riders in a group finish in the same time as the lead rider. Time bonuses for intermediate sprints have been offered in the past. Stage lengths usually vary between 60 km and 145 km. Long stages cause major shifts in the general classification and large time differences between teams. A maximum ride time is allotted for each day and teams must complete the stage within that time. If they arrive after their start group’s maximum allotted time they will be listed as unofficial finishers.

Time trial

Some years, an individual time trial appears midway through raceweek, this is a two-man team time trial, where teams usually leave at timed intervals. Like the prologue, it’s an all out effort. The distance varies but typically is around 30 km, which is regarded by the main field, who are not contending for overall victory, as an ‘easy’ day.

A brief history of the racing to date

2004

In its inaugural year, the Absa Cape Epic attracted one of the biggest names in the sport. 2004 saw stage-racing supremo Karl Platt team up with Namibian Mannie Heymans, one of the world’s top marathoners at the time. The week’s racing was white hot, with impressive performances from Team GT Africa and the motivated Kenyans. However Platt and Heymans controlled the race throughout, winning six out of the eight stages, with a 20-minute lead overall.

2005

In 2005 the field got more than they bargained for with former world champion, Olympic gold medalist and mountain biking legend Bart Brentjens arriving at the start with equally fast Roel Paulissen as his partner. The Dutch / Belgian team dominated the race, even more so than Platt and Heymans had the year before.

2006

Fortunately for all, Brentjens had proved his point, not returning for the 2006 edition, leaving the Swiss team of Christoph Sauser and Silvio Bundi to race the legs off the field. Previous winner only Platt managed 3rd, partnered with Carsten Bresser. This was to be the Absa Cape Epic’s most convincing win yet, with Sauser and Bundi’s 29min 08sec lead over Johannes Sickmuller and Christian Heule.

2007

It was as if Karl Platt had been plotting his revenge after two humiliating defeats – he’d formed a new team with Stefan Sahm – the Bulls. They won stage 1 in a close sprint finish against Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang of Cannondale Vredestein. This set the tone for the week – a dramatic ding-dong battle with the leader jerseys changing shoulders four times. Platt and Sahm had the final word, wearing their yellow leaders’ jerseys on the final stage into Lourensford Wine Estate.

2008

Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang were back, baying for the Bulls’ blood. After a dominant performance on stage 2, and with the Bulls imploding that same day heading into Calitzdorp, Cannondale Vredestein had a comfortable lead over the Germans. Only once was their lead under threat with some tyre trouble outside Bredasdorp. The Belgian/Danish team had made their case winning the 2008 event convincingly.

2009

New rivals came to the fore in 2009 – Team songo.info of South African Burry Stander and Swiss Christoph Sauser. The pair won the prologue and the first 3 stages, till Stander’s momentary lapse of concentration put an end to their overall hopes with a smashed front wheel. The Bulls capitalized and held their leader’s jerseys till the end, but not without a challenge from old rival Bart Brentjens, partnered with Australian Chris Jongewaard. Their campaign was not without incident, breaking a chain on the penultimate stage into Oak Valley. True to form, it was repaired quickly and they limited their losses.

2010

Even as outright race favourites, the Bulls still had to prove themselves, after what many said was a lucky win in 2009. 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. Illness put Stander out of action early in the race but made good with 3 stage victories while MTN Qhubeka’s tyre woes lost them South Africa’s chance at an overall win at the Absa Cape Epic. Arriving at Lourensford, the Bulls had prevailed – it was Platt’s forth victory, Sahm’s third. By 2011, teams were left wondering how to break this phenomenal run of success.

2011

Burry Stander made history on the 3rd of April 2011, as the first South African ever to win the 2011 Absa Cape Epic in its 8th edition. Stander and his Swiss teammate, former world champion and Olympic medallist Christoph Sauser won on 5 of the 7 days. Stander and Sauser finished in an overall time of 28:44.44,0. In second place in an overall time of 28:51.52,8 were the German team of Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss (Multivan Merida Biking), with the Bulls, Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, in third place overall in 29:05.53,7. The Bulls Team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm won the Absa Cape Epic in 2007, 2009 and 2010, and Karl Platt won in the inaugural year (2004) with Mannie Heymans from Namibia. He is the most successful participant in the history of the race having won four times with eleven stage wins. ^[3]

2012

The 36ONE-Songo-Specialized team of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser walked away with top honours as overall winners of the 2012 Absa Cape Epic, following their victory of 2011. With a 25 minute and 57 second lead time at the start of the final stage, Stander and Sauser finished in an overall time of 31:46.50,5. In second place in an overall time of 32:14.12,6 were the South African duo of Kevin Evans and David George (360Life), with the German-Swiss team of Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler of Multivan Merida Biking in third place overall in 32:17.57,5. The Bulls 2 team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme finished fourth overall (32:18.48,2) with Alban Lakata and Robert Mennen (Topeak Ergo Racing) in fifth (32:19.22,7). The Bulls 1 team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, who won the Absa Cape Epic in 2007, 2009 and 2010, finished in sixth place overall (33:03.00,2). ^[4]

Organisation

The holding company of the Cape Epic brand is named Grandstand Management and this events team is responsible for all that is required for a full service mountain bike stage race. They coordinate route design and permission requests, rider registration, race rules, emergency and medical services, marshals, timing and results, optional extras available to riders as well as crew and volunteer management. On the logistics side there is the planning and implementation of infrastructure such as tents, marquees, security, ablution facilities and catering, to name a few. In addition to the aspects of the race mentioned, the events team manage the relationships with the various stage locations, venues, towns and municipalities that the race visits each year to ensure that the event meets with their expectations and assists them to maximise their opportunities.

Logistics

Each stage, riders arrive at the finish to see a full-service race village. The forward planning begins up to 12 months before the race. Where to build the race village involves complex planning for space, water, electricity and other amenities. The logistics involves the movement of the entire race village from town to town. 1 200 fully supported riders started the event, each having to eat and sleep within the location. Ablution facilities and medical facilities needed to be provided. The bikes require attention too, with daily washes and services. The crew also stay in the race village: the workers, supervisors, timekeepers, TV crew, administrators, photographers, media and also need to be provided for. Setting up infrastructure in new towns create multiple variables, and therefore experts in troubleshooting are required.

Medics

The Medi Clinic private hospital unit consists of an expert team, including Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) marshals on the course. The team is headed up by chief medical officer Dr Basil Bonner, who has assisted at the Cape Epic since the first race in 2004. Dr Bonner is a Specialist Emergency Medicine Physician and Head of the Emergency Centre at Milnerton Medi-Clinic. He is also Senior Medical Officer for the Medi-Clinic Special Events Division. The private hospital unit is capable of handling any medical emergency in their tent. A UCI anti-doping official and a full anti-doping caravan also accompany the medical team.

Route marshals

A team of thirty trained marshals travel throughout the event. They are there not only to show riders the way but to ensure the safety of cyclists. The marshals are divided into four teams, which get deployed throughout the day and leapfrog one another throughout the race to make sure all participants are supported at every stage. The marshals all accredited in first-aid, with a number having more advanced medical training. Four of the marshals are provincial or municipal traffic officers. These officers support the Epic in their private capacity and take leave from their formal employment in order to do so.

Showers

Riders are rewarded with a hot shower at the end of each day’s racing thanks to the shower trailers supplied by Hansgrohe and Afripex. Shower trailers are available throughout the race, with the units being towed between the various stages to await the riders.

Chill zone

The Chill Zone is the social hub of the Cape Epic, and the place riders and crew can relax and stock up on liquid carbohydrates after a long day on the course. It also offers soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, assorted smoothies and snacks, such as chips, biltong and chocolates. “Dan’s Happy Hour” is where Cape Epic MC and media personality Dan Nichol holds court. Dan’s special brand of humour accompanies his “spot prizes” for riders and those in attendance.

Waterpoints

The waterpoints are staggered throughout the route, and situated where riders will be most in need of a refuel. Volunteers form the majority of staff at the waterpoints, however all waterpoints are managed by a professional team. Food is available at all waterpoints with a selection of fruits and snacks is on offer, and a variety of flavours of sports drinks are also available. A free chain lubricating service is situated at all waterpoints as is a medical station. There is a separation time check at most waterpoints to ensure team members remain within two minutes of each other.

Pro Tech Zones

A Pro Tech Zone exists at all waterpoints. These areas are for the use of UCI-registered riders only. The organisers will transport 1 wheel set and one tool bag per 2-rider team to each of the water points for every stage. The content of the tool bag is at the team’s discretion and may consist of anything riders wish to use – tools, spares, tyre sealant, food, waterbottles, sunscreen. No technical or mechanical assistance is provided and teams may only access their own boxes and wheelsets. It will be up to the rider to use this equipment to provide his own tech support. No outside human help (from a rider not also racing) will be allowed.

Tech zones

A tech zone is provided for amateurs, with a mechanic present to aid amateurs with their repairs. ‘Neutral’ bike parts such as tyres, tubes and CO₂ bombs are also available.

Supply Zone

A bike toolkit as well as basic supplies such as tyres, tubes and CO2 bombs is available at the Supply Zones at Waterpoints. The Supply Zone allows amateur teams who have mechanical problems to repair their bikes and get to the finish. No technical or mechanical assistance is provided here.

Environmental management plan

The Absa Cape Epic considers itself a ‘green event’. The Nature Conservation Corporation, an environmental consultancy, is contracted to ensure the race minimises its environmental impact in a number of critical areas. All bike washing liquids, degreasers and lubricants offered by the Cape Epic’s service partners and sponsors are bio-degardable. The Nature Conservation Corporation assesses the overall environmental impact of the race, including the race villages and the race route itself. On the race route the NCC conducts a full environment sweep and erosion check after cyclists have passed through an area. In the race village the Nature Conservation Corporation focuses on issues such as recycling the shower and bike wash water, minimising waste and implementing waste removal systems. The intention is to leave the pristine environments the Epic traverses in the same condition in which they were found.

Cape Nature Conservation

The Cape Epic has worked tirelessly to ensure riders are able to traverse spectacular tracts of Cape Nature Conservation land. During several stages, riders pass through areas of the Cape Floral Kingdom under Cape Nature Conservation stewardship. These unspoilt areas feature incredible bio-diversity. On some paths, leopard camera traps have been set up by the Cape Leopard Trust. These unmanned camera traps detect movement and snap photos of the elusive leopard in its natural habitat.

Prize money

Prize money varies by year, and is awarded to the both the Men's and Ladies' UCI licensed riders. ^[5]

Floating trophy awarded to overall winners

The overall winners of the Absa Cape Epic are awarded a floating trophy designed by local artist Neil Jonker, and receive a replica trophy for each rider to keep. If the same team wins the race three times, they get to keep it.

In the media

The Cape Epic is the most televised mountain bike race in the world.^{[citation needed]} It is broadcast to 175 countries, including UK, USA, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Japan, Brazil, Egypt and Rwanda.^{[citation needed]} Viewers tune in to watch news clips, highlights packages and an hour-long program worldwide. Photographs and articles about the event have appeared in the New York Times, the LA Times, Sports Illustrated, as well as dozens of international and local bicycle magazines and websites.^{[citation needed]}

Official charities

Since the first Absa Cape Epic in 2004, the organisation has had a formal programme of giving back to the communities that host the race. Initially the project involved handing bikes to key people in the villages and towns. Today, these programmes have evolved into Big Tree Foundation, a Section 21 company, which works to uplift the communities that host the race through educational projects. Big Tree Foundation’s belief is that poverty can be alleviated through education. The programs face challenges in many of the smaller communities, supplying basic stuff, like books, clothes, even desks and chairs. Big Tree now has the full support of the government. The Department of Education had adopted a development model built on the success of the Sibabalwe pre-school in De Doorns. Big Tree Foundation is poised to take this model and to expand it into the Western Cape and hopefully, the entire country. The Sibabalwe pre-school in De Doorns now accommodates 90 children per year. Workshops on bike repair and coaching help improve the local economies, giving rise to sales and workshops. Another of Big Tree Foundation’s plans is to subsidise bikes for school kids who walk 3 to 9 km to school per day – reducing travel time by two thirds.

The JAG Foundation is the other official charity of the Absa Cape Epic. The JAG Foundation enlists local celebrities to ride the race to raise funds in the All Stars Challenge. South African rugby players Robbie Kempson, Breyton Paulse and footballer Mark Fish have all taken part.

Exxaro Academy

Exxaro is the Development Academy Partner to the Absa Cape Epic and sponsor of the Exxaro MTB Development Academy. The Exxaro Academy was created to assist and fund historically disadvantaged South African development riders who wish to prepare for and participate in the Absa Cape Epic.

Statistics

Only one team has won more than one Absa Cape Epic – Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm of Team Bulls. The German Platt is one of 13 riders who have competed in all eight events, winning four times. He is one of two foreigners to do so, along with Dirk Rossignol, an amateur from Belgium. Only two women are on that exclusive list, Hannele Steyn and Bonnie Swanepoel.

Karl Platt, Mannie Heymans, Bart Brentjens, Roel Paulissen and Stefan Sahm all won the Absa Cape Epic the first time they rode the race. The Cape Epic has been won three times by teams who led the general classification from the first stage and holding the lead all the way to the finish. Karl Platt and Mannie Heymans did it during the first edition, 2004. Bart Brentjens and Roel Paulissen repeated the feat the next year and Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander in 2011.

In the early years of the Absa Cape Epic, cyclists were forbidden to switch equipment during the race, being required to use the same frame and wheels as when they started. Today, teams may replace damaged parts with similar items.

In the early years, from 2004 till 2006, one team dominated the race. But 2007 saw the lead change four times during the race between Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang of Cannondale-Vredestein and Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm of the Bulls. In 2011 again, one team (Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander of 36ONE-SONGO-SPECIALIZED) lead from start to finish, with very little sign of any threat to their lead.

2006 saw Christoph Sauser team up with Swiss countryman Silvio Bundi, displaying the most dominant performance of the Absa Cape Epic in the race’s history. Team Specialized won the first stage easily, putting over 9 minutes between them and German Johannes Sickmuller and Swiss Christian Heule with Karl Platt and Carsten Bresser even further back. The two went on to win six out of the eight stages. By the end of the race, they’d extended their advantage to 29min 08sec over Sickmuller and Heule.

Only one women’s team has ever won the Absa Cape Epic twice – the partnership of Sharon Laws (GBR), Hanlie Booyens (RSA).

References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2007)

External links

• Official Site