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Cape-Epic, RSA |
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| Date: |
28.03.2008 - 05.04.2008 |
| Description: |
Mountain Bike Stage Race |
| More information: |
http://www.cape-epic.com |
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| Diary:
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| 28.03.2008 |
Day3: Calitzdorp-Riversdale
133km, 2340m of climbing, 4.15hrs
Still finished but lost my partner Burry due knee injury mid race
Too bad game over…!
Burry’s knee basically blew, not the rest of his body or mind. At the point he had to abandon in the race we were only 6 or 7 teams left.
I still kept on racing but yeah, my excitement was totally gone. At least “free” training.
It was a 100% to zero Cape-Epic. That is still much better then dealing every day with some issues. Now, tomorrow I mix myself together with the fun riders and taking pictures along the route. And then I am also closer to Stellenbosch too, so that will make the drive shorter there, where I going to stay a few more days. This depends on the weather at home.
Day2: George-Calitzdorp
137km, 2518m of climbing, 5.13hrs
Second Place, 5.30min behind Cannondale. First Overall with 3.19min lead to Cannondale
For the first time ever in history of the Cape Epic there were time bonuses to win. Today’s, was on the first long climb (Montague Pass). Cannondale attacked crazy, and we did follow only for a few minutes. Half way up they slowed down though, and got caught by us and MTN. Tough times when you hit the pedals so hard for half an hour up the climb and then still sprinting for the bonuses. We got second over it, and afterwards the speed kept steady fast until the last loose monster climb up to 1’100meters. Cannondale Team dropped us there. We made up some time in the downhill, but on the final 15km flat part we lost minutes. I ran out of water and got soooo thirsty towards the end.
The cut off time got extended to 18.00 today. And we are all starting at 07.00. Long day in the saddle for the backmarkers.
It is super hot here in Calitzdorp. The air condition is full on and I still sweat my butt off! I guess there is no chance to have a nap in here, but hopefully on the massage table afterwards.
Day1: Knysna-George
123km, 3091m of climbing, 4.39hrs
First Place, 22sec ahead of Bulls. First Overall
How cool to win the stage plus being in the leaders jersey!
Like in the previous years I never feel great at those early 7 o’clock starts, but after 2hrs when the sun warms my legs up, and the smell of the finish is getting closer I am starting to feel great.
The leading MTN Team ripped it up some steep climbs and we all suffered behind. Luckily for us they blew big time, so as lot of other favourite teams who were up there at the beginning. Finally Burry and I were the best survivors of today’s stage.
(More info in the following race report from our Team Manager Bobby Behan below)
Following a solid prologue, where Burry and Christoph finished fifth overall, today was the first major test of the 2008 Cape Epic and what a test it was. The main contenders were in the mix, but only in the very early stages, due to team MTN’s continuing pressing the pace at the front. Some major names dropped leaving The Bulls, Songo, MTN and Cannondale in the mix at the 77km mark. At such an early stage so many riders were taking strain. By the 100km Burry and Christoph were to be found almost 2 minutes up on The Bulls and a further 5 minutes on Cannondale. The first statement was made, with Christoph and Burry showing that they were a major force on the first day of racing.
“When we broke away we just wanted to ride steady. We did not go for it. We decided not to burn ourselves. After 30 minutes alone we realised that our steady was causing problems, so then the pedal was pushed a little harder!” – Christoph Sauser
Prologue: Pezula Real Estate
17km, 301m of Climbing, 32.30min
4th Place, 1.26min down to Team MTN
I was telling a journalist that the best partner for the Epic is 1% weaker then yourself, and lots of fun to be with.
Well the fun is no problem, but today I was more then 1%... weaker then my partner Burry!
All the top teams went full on from the gun! I got the taste of hard racing again. I counted every minute, and I was more then happy after we crossed the finish line.
I knew we were going fast, and with the place and time lost I am happy. The MTN boys are locals and they knew the course like they’re pocket. All the other teams did not know the course and sometimes it was hard to “read” the corners, since they were pretty twisty and loose.
Check also out the www.songo.info website for daily updates with pictures and movie clips!
Link 1: http://www.songo.info
Link 2: http://www.cape-epic.com/acelive08
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