|
|
|
|
|
back to the list.
... or add your own comment to this race / event?
| |
| |
Cape Epic, RSA |
| |
| Date: |
24.03.2007 - 31.03.2007 |
| Description: |
Mountain Bike Stage Race |
| More information: |
http://www.cape-epic.com/ |
| |
| |
| Diary:
|
| 25.03.2007 |
(By Bobby Behan, Specialized Team Manager)
Specialized Cape Epic Pre Race Report
23rd March 2007
What was once a very small event, up until two years ago, has now become a major international race with this year being definitely the most competitive so far in the men’s division. Seven of top ten UCI World Ranked Riders are here including trade teams Merida and Cannondale Vredestein, who have each entered two teams. To give even more insight of the nine Olympic men’s mtb medals in existence, five of them are here! Our own Christoph Sauser, who has attained really good form following his solid ride in the six day Giro Del Capo Stage Race, has paired with Johannes Pallhuber from Italy, who himself has got some pretty decent shape at this time of the year. But with riders like Naf (Current World Marathon Champion), Hermida, Paulisson, Leuchs, Lakata and Brentjens it is difficult to predict an outcome. We as a team are very optimistic and are hoping things will go our way when racing kicks off at 7am tomorrow morning. It is going to be a really interesting eight days of racing with Hermida predicting in the press launch that it is going to be like a world cup every day! Let’s wait and see.
What is cool about the event is that so many people are doing it for fun and are getting to mix with the pros. I myself am doing it and will hopefully give you some feedback on what it is like a little further back in the peleton, while also providing a day to day account from Susi and Johannes at the (fingers crossed) front! I have to admit that I have never been so excited about doing an event before. It really is Epic! There are mixed sex teams and teams from all ages and walks of life. I am truly impressed with the organisation and general sense of atmosphere surrounding the event. There is such a good buzz in the air.
Knsyna itself is a truly stunning town coastal town located along the Garden Route in Southern South Africa. I spent many years based in Stellenbosch, South Africa training as a triathlete, but never really had the time to holiday down here, but I would have certainly liked to have being able, having spent some time here over the past two days. The race finishes close to Stellenbosch on August 31st with a big post race party at Spier, a very nice Game Lodge located in the middle of the Western Cape’s winelands. We will all be looking forward to that. I will let you all know tomorrow evening how stage one goes.
Specialized Cape Epic Race Report
24th March 2007
Stage 1: Knysna to Uniondale
Distance: 101km
Elevation Gain: 2660m
Winning Time: 4hr 01’16’’ (Bulls)
Specialized Time: 9’34’’ down
Christoph Sauser and Johannes Pallhuber Race Report:
On the start line today the guys definitely wanted to get into the leaders jersey by the time they reached Uniondale, but the legs must do the talking too! In the initial stages of the race about 13-15 teams formed a group at the head of the peleton. The pace was always nice and steady as the riders traversed the hilly course. In the middle of the race Johannes suffered a puncture, but with good mechanical skills and a little luck Susi and Johannes were back with the leaders pretty quickly. As expected at the bottom of the long 11km climb, located 65km into the course, the attacks would start to happen. Unfortunately, Johannes did not have the legs today to hold with the first group of Bulls, Cannondale Vredestein and Dolphin and for awhile managed to stay in the second group (Merida and Giant Athleticum), but finally had to ride for the last hour alone with Susi. As Susi says “we are disappointed, but normally after a bad day a good day comes”. Let the games continue tomorrow.
Bobby Behan (Team Manager’s) Report:
607 teams were on the start line this morning for The Cape Epic. It was massive with bikes everywhere! I have to admit that although I had big expectations as to the sense of atmosphere this morning at 6am, 1 hour before race start, my expectations were really exceeded. It really was special and anybody who loves bike riding must do this event. I really recommend it, but don’t be under any illusions – you will really suffer!
Although I hurt like a dog today (5 weeks training!), it was not about that for me. I really have to complement the organisers on what has to be the best organised event I have ever attended, while also being the most special. I will try to give you all some perspective. First of all there is the setup. There is a meal for everybody each night including a pre race briefing which gives details of the stage to come via a google earth satellite feed, which shows the course route and profile. Coupled with this there are three really good announcers giving detailed information on the hell to come! In the background however, marquees are being erected, showers and toilets are being transporter deep into the ‘bush’ and tents are being setup for most of the competitors who camp each night at the finish area. The top teams opt for camper vans. There is more: power washers for cleaning bikes, massage tents, the PA system and of course the large buffet are all being prepared for the riders arrival. It truly takes a very organised, efficient team of staff and volunteers to make all of this happen without any hiccups. As we sit here in Uniondale at the finish things are already being prepared in Oudsshorn and the finish of stage two.
Well with more pain to come tomorrow, I am off to find my tent! Thanks for reading.
25th March 2007
Stage 2: Uniondale to Oudtshoorn
Distance: 132km
Elevation Gain: 2245m
Winning Time: 4 hours 58’ 24’’(Cannondale Vredestien)
Specialized Time: @ 41 min 28 secs (14th position)
Overall: 8 hours 59’ 41’’ (Cannondale Vredestein)
Specialized Position: 9 hours 50’ 43’’ (12th position)
Christoph Sauser and Johannes Pallhuber Race Report:
The lads started out quick and fast over the rolling hills. The start was very dusty and for Susi “when you spit, the spit went so far cause it was full of dirt and sand. It was like a rock that same together!” At the start of the 12km technical climb Susi and Johannes attacked with The Cannondale Vredestein Team of Roel Paulisson and Jakob Fugelsang. On the decent the guys took it safe, yet maintained good speed. At the second feed zone, located at the bottom of the day’s big climb tires had to be re-pumped, which did not take long, but it meant having to chase Cannondale on the flat. Unfortunately, Johannes blew completed and despite Susi’s best efforts he was dead. Bulls and The Dolphins caught and passed them. But Merida and Trek arrived and demonstrated through camaraderie, between sportsmen, where each of the riders helped Johannes along. This is what makes the lifestyle of MTB so good. There is through respect between even the top riders who battle so hard against one another. In the end Susi and Johannes had to creep to the finish and were well off the pace. We are not sure if Johannes is going to start tomorrow. Only time will tell. If not, Susi will ride alone and use the event as training.
Bobby Behan (Team Manager’s) Report:
Another day of pure pain for me, but thankfully I did not suffer the cramps like yesterday! It was nice to be up with the leaders for the first 10km in the neutral zone! I managed to have a little chat with Susi until the ante was upped and my sudden meeting with what life is like at the front was over – Susi did manage to say “goodbye Bobs. I will see you at the finish”! It is such a cool, scary place to be hurtling down a dirt trail, when all you can see in front of you is lots of dust and riders almost disappearing into a thick fog. Definitely check out the official event website as I am sure the photos are awesome.
www.cape-epic.com
One of the things really worth mentioning is the importance of partnership in this event. It truly is a serious affair of bonding between two personalities. People crack and along the course you can see lots of different outbursts, such as an absolute i****t pushing a girl off her bike. His excuse was that she was not staying on her side of the trial. I had some words and he was lucky not to get a size 13 in the ass! My outlook is that it was hard for him to accept that a girl was kicking his butt!
I too had my own little outburst today. Riaan is stronger than me right now and riding so well, where all I really wanted to do was to keep within myself. This is about having some fun for me. But the same goes for the pros, where Johannes and Christoph experienced their own problems today. Christoph (Susi) is on paper the strongest rider in the field, but the strongest teams will have riders of equal pairing. Unfortunately for Johannes he found the going so tough today, but he did try really hard. He is such a good rider but entering an event like this on such short notice cannot be easy. But all is all in terms of partnership, you witness massive amounts of sportsmanship and support between entrants and teams of all levels. That is what sport is about.
Once again tumbs up to the organisers. Most days there are 3 different feed zones and I can assure you the riders look forward to them. There is such an array of food available. I crave coke, but there are various energy drinks, bars, fruit and god knows what else. I even found chocolate today! While the riders are frantically taking on board as many carbs as possible, there is a person putting oil on their chains! It really is impressive stuff.
26th March 2007
Stage 3: Oudshoorn to Ladismith
Distance: 128km
Elevation Gain: 2425m
Winning Time: (Cannondale Vredestien)
Specialized Time:
Overall: (Cannondale Vredestein)
Specialized Position:
Christoph Sauser and Johannes Pallhuber Race Report:
On the start line I suppose Susi’s confidence was not high in that he knew Johannes did not have good legs and possibly would really suffer today. Of course we all hoped for the opposite. The main group stayed together until the first feed and the start of the day’s steep climb. Cannondale Vredestein in Roel Paulisson and Jakob Fugelsang, another Cannodale Vredestein rider in Kashi Leuchs (who also separated from his partner), The Bulls Team and Susi rode away from the main group. At this stage Johannes had blown and his race was over. He pulled out leaving Susi alone.
Once The Bulls got dropped during a very long asphalt climb, Susi given that his partner was no longer in the event, simply sat in the wheels and allowed the teams still in the action to do the talking. It was pure sportsmanship on his part, but for Susi he tries to always stick to the unwritten rules and to fair play. He finished the stage watching Cannondale Vredestein take the victory and felt in control throughout.
As a team we were not sure how to proceed with tomorrow in that Susi had no partner. However, enter David George into the equation. David is one if not South Africa’s biggest road racing star, has won The Giro Del Capo three times and raced the Tour Of Spain last year finishing 50th overall. Susi and David have formed a new team under Specialized Factory Racing. We will just have to wait till tomorrow so see how the knit together.
Bobby Behan (Team Manager’s) Report:
6 hours in the saddle on day one, 7 hours yesterday and 7 hours today! Need I say more! Bobby is officially dead!
Tomorrow’s stage is a recovery day, which is a little bit of an understatement given that it is still 120km in length! At least there are no big hills, but apparently lots of sandy trails, which are bloody hard work.
I felt sorry for Johannes today as he tried so hard, but Susi is riding so strong and could easily sit with the leaders, when left to his own devices. I am very interested to see how David George and Susi are going to team up. I know that it has generated a lot of press coverage.
Once again the organisation has been bullet proof. Another little bit of info on the event is breakfast. This morning’s louder than normal siren fired at 5am! God it is early and reminds me of the days spent swimming on those dark mornings! From there everybody washes up and heads for the big breakfast buffet and then starts to ready themselves for the 7am race start and for another day of pain!!!
27th March 2007
Stage 4: Ladismith to Barrydale
Distance: 121km
Elevation Gain: 1285m
Winning Time: 4 hours 07’ 52’’(Merida: Ralf Naf and Jose Antonio Hermida)
Specialized Time: 4 hours 11’ 33’’
Overall: 18 hours 07’ 23’’(Cannondale Vredestein)
Specialized Position: No longer counting on the overall classification
Christoph Sauser and David George Race Report:
For both Christoph and David it was really exciting to have a strong team partnership again, as both of their partners experienced problems over the first three stages and were subsequently forced to withdraw. Although the rules allow riders to change like this (only once) they can no longer fight for the overall classification, but a stage win is a good goal for the remainder of the race.
Today was deemed to be a recovery day, but this was definitely not the case! As Susi says there is no recovery day with the speed the teams are riding at. Couple that with lots of sandy trials and hot conditions and the riders were in for a tough day. As the race progressed teams dropped off the pace through the sandy patches. At the last water point, Susi could feel that The Merida Team were going to attack and he was not wrong. The attacks started and the early leaders of MTN in Kevin Evans and Brandon Stuart were quickly caught. In the closing stages a puncture resulted in Christoph and David loosing the leaders, but they managed to finish the stage in fourth position, which was a great result given that they have only formed a team.
Tomorrow David jumps on board a spare Specialized Prototype bike, which will be interesting! For him it is something to look forward to. He is currently on a free ride bike so this will be better for him.
Unfortunately, the big news is that Susi and David, although having formed a new team are no longer in the competition because of this. The organisers did us a favour in that they are allowing us to finish because it will allow Susi to complete some good training before the World Cup season begins. Susi is feeling strong though and is really happy that he can still be in the event, despite loosing Johannes. Just to clarify they cannot take a stage win and cannot finish in the top five.
28th March 2007
Stage 5: Barrydale to Montagu
Distance: 102km
Elevation Gain: 1590m
Winning Time: 3.41hrs(Dolphin: Bart Brentjens and Rudi Van Houts)
Specialized Time: 3.46hrs
Overall:
Specialized Position: No longer counting on the overall classification
Christoph Sauser and David George Race Report:
Susi and David did not know, but obviously figured given the starting pace that Merida and Cannondale B Team planned an immediate attack from the gun on today’s stage. Fifteen riders got away, which included Susi’s partner David George, which meant Susi had to move himself too. As the pace was pushed Susi rode solo across to the front on the group, with a little help from David who dropped back towards the end of Susi’s lone chase.
Going up the first big climb Cannondale Vredestein B Team and Specialized were the only two teams left at the front. Given that Susi and David could not get involved in the racing they took it relatively easy behind the Cannondale B Team and cruised to the stage finish. In the last climb Specialized did ride away, but only to give David, who is a road rider, some extra time to descend the technical trials, something he is only getting used to (this race has been the first time he has ridden a mountain bike!!). Just before the finish, like on TV, Team Dolphin caught Cannondale B to take the stage win. It was a hugely exciting finish.
If you want to follow Susi’s progress tomorrow you can do so at www.sportstrack.co.za. His bike has been fitted with a Satellite Navigation Tracking Device!
29th March 2007
Stage 6: Montagu to Villiersdorp
Distance: 111km
Elevation Gain: 1565m
Winning Time: 3 hours 46’ 34’’ (Cannondale Vredestein)
Specialized Time: N/A (no longer officially in the race)
Overall: 25 hours 40’ 29’’ (Cannondale Vredestein)
Specialized Position: No longer counting on the overall classification
Christoph Sauser and David George Race Report:
Given that the lads are technically no longer in the race, it makes real racing hard because the drive is not there. Training and preparation for the season ahead are now the main goals for the remainder of The Cape Epic. For David, the possibility of transferring from road racing to mtb is looking like a serious prospect, so having the opportunity to perform with a rider of Christoph’s calibre is something he is relishing.
Early on in today’s stage David suffered a puncture and they did not want to put a tube in, as due to all of the torns the tire may not seal again, because of further torns coming. For non technical readers we use tubeless tires, which are sealed with a sealant liquid. This sealant can help seal punctures should they come. However, if you put a tube in, you must remove the sealant, so every time you puncture from then on a new tube must go in. I hope this makes sense! So the lads kept on riding and after fifteen minutes with the tire still loosing pressure, they had to stop check the tire for torns, remove all of the torns and finally put a tube in. In summary their time at the front was over. Thankfully, they never punctured again.
For the remainder of the stage, given that crowds had to be negotiated the lads took it easy, spoke to the other fun riders and also stopped to take photos with many fans! I think the other riders really appreciated the fact that they had some time to ride with the lads and ask questions. It was a relaxed day and it allowed David the time to talk to Susi about riding off road and also about his possible transition to mtb.
Bobby Behan (Team Manager’s) Report:
Well I was back in the tents last night, but I slept like a log. I think all of the driving killed me! Jacques actually had to wake me as we both feel asleep while watching a cricket game on the grass in the outdoor bar!!! Cricket is a riveting game! (Joke!).
I waited on the finish line for ages watching for David and Susi and actually started to become a little concerned! I was happy to see them cruise through the finish line in one piece. The last thing a manager wants is for one of their major stars to get injured before the season has even begun!
Team spirits are still high and Benno is very happy with how the bikes have performed over the course of the event. This event is a really good testing ground for new prototype bikes. Christoph’s new prototype Epic is running perfectly. David has commented that the “Q Factor” (Q factor = Bottom Bracket width) in coming from the road on this MTB makes it a lot easier in having similar power application to the road bike. This Q factor is only available on The Specialized Epic MTB!
Susi is really enjoying the full suspension and he would be lost without it in this race. He feels the energy saving with the full suspension is crucial. The testing of Susi’s new bike during this race will really benefit the end user production bikes, when these bikes do hit the market place. I suppose Susi could be best described as a “little lab rat”! Some of you may not know, but prior to becoming a professional bike rider Susi was actually a laboratory technician, so we sometimes call him the little “lab rat”! I cannot picture Susi standing in his little white coat looking into a microscope all day. If you knew him you would agree!
30th March 2007
Stage 7: Villiersdorp to Kleinmond
Distance: 116km
Elevation Gain: 1990m
Winning Time: 4 hours 2’ 14’’(Team Bulls)
Specialized Time: N/A (no longer officially in the race)
Overall: 29 hours 42’ 54’’(Team Bulls)
Specialized Position: No longer counting on the overall classification
Christoph Sauser and David George Race Report:
Today ended up being another similar day like yesterday for the guys. They rode with the leaders until the first climb and were feeling relaxed and comfortable. What is great about MTB riding and the relationship between riders around the circuit is the genuine respect and sportsmanship they have for one another. Both David and Susi know that they are no longer in the race, so on seeing during the stage’s first climb that the race contenders Team Bulls had broken a Shimano pedal, David got off his bike, gave them his pedal spindle and rode to the next tech zone with one leg, which took two hours! He ended up falling a couple of times as a result, but it really is such a good gesture and Team Bulls were incredibly grateful. Team Bulls went on to take the stage win and as a result move into the overall first position, putting a four minute time gap into the previous overall leaders Cannondale Vredestein. Team Bulls could have been out of the race, had David not been so kind.
David and Susi cruised to the stage finish and were happy with another days training.
Bobby Behan (Team Manager’s) Report:
The last time I have been in the very scenic Kleinmond was when I managed the team that won the total sports challenge in 2006. Thankfully, the riders did not have to ride along the deep sand, that our very own Specialized sponsored athlete Conrad Stoltz had to run on that day. That would have been a nightmare.
After the drive to Kleimond from Villiersdorp, we had time for breakfast and some body surfing in the Indian Ocean, which was nice, but we were always aware that this is an area renowned for large great white sharks, with a big hunger for seals and an ability to jump clear out of the water! It did not seem to bother Benno though, who was in his element. He is such a fun guy to be around.
Once again the organisational capabilities of the people in the background have been impeccable. There seems to have been to glitches. Also, this morning was the last time the riders had to greeted by that 5am “fog horn”, which I am starting to curse! Tomorrow morning the riders start 1.5 hours later at 8:30am. It is our last night in tents though, as we are going to stay with Jacques and Elana in their holiday home on the very beautiful Arabella Golf Resort located just 10km down the road. I am looking forward to a typical South African Braai (BBQ) and a night in the comfort of a bed! It should be a fun night, with only 75km of racing left tomorrow. We are nearly there!
Susi and David have knitted really well together and they have formed a good friendship. David is a true professional and it has been such a pleasure to get to know him and an honour to have him riding with Christoph. I really hope, which I think he will, make the move to MTB and I also hope to see him on the start line at the World Cup in Houffalize at the end of next month. Given his achievements on the road he deserves the opportunity to test himself in this new arena.
31st March 2007
Stage 8: Kleinmond to Lourensford
Distance: 75km
Elevation Gain: 1285m
Winning Team: Team Switzerland
Specialized Time: N/A (no longer officially in the race)
Overall: Team Bulls
Specialized Position: No longer counting on the overall classification
Christoph Sauser and David George Race Report:
The lads rode so well today and were always at the head of the field, in what was promised to be a very fast stage. Cannodale threw everything they could at Bulls, but could not eat into much of the four minute deficit they had going into today’s final stage. In the end Susi and David just sat in the wheels but rode in just behind today’s winners. The felt so strong today and could have attacked at anytime, but given that they were no longer technically in the race, refused to do so.
I know it has been mentioned before but what a transition for David George to MTB. Watch this space!
Bobby Behan (Team Manager’s) Report:
Today’s finish at Lourensford was truly spectacular. What a location. There were live bands, thousands of spectators, weather only South Africa can guarantee and a tremendous atmosphere to greet the riders when they finished. Hats off once again to the organisers.
From Lourensford we headed back to our B&B for some relaxation time, before going to the after race banquet held in Moya, a fabulous restaurant located just outside Stellenbosch. A big night followed and it all ended up pretty crazy, which was a great way to finish a memorable eight days.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
GMT
