Events

2014 Cape Epic Partnerships

· By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 142 comments

New and old partnerships will set the pace at this year’s Absa Cape Epic, which takes place from 23 to 30 March. The race will see 1 200 cyclists take on the challenging 718km with 14 850m of climbing, visiting the towns of Robertson, Greyton and Elgin, and finishing eight days later at Lourensford Wine Estate.

Four times Absa Cape Epic winner Christoph Sauser will take on the 2014 challenge with Frantisek Rabon – a former roadie – for the first time. The partnership between Nino Schurter and Philip Buys will also be another new South African/Swiss combination. Mixed category champion Ariane Kleinhans will be riding in the Women’s category for the first time with Annika Langvad. No doubt that all eyes will also be on Karl Platt, another favourite who won the Absa Cape Epic four times, when he partners again with Urs Huber as the old “tried and tested” team.

http://www.cape-epic.com//data/news/06_Frantisek%20and%20Christoph.jpg

New Partnership: Christoph Sauser and Frantisek Rabon

Riding as part of team Meerendal-Songo-Specialized, Sauser is arguably the world’s most celebrated mountain bike rider with both marathon and cross-country world titles (apart from being an Olympic medal champion and four times Absa Cape Epic winner title holder). Although 2014’s new partnership with Rabon is untested, the same could be said of him and Czech teammate Jaroslav Kulhavy before they dominated the 2013 event.

Says Sauser: “I’m delighted that I’ve found a very strong partner in Rabon. He has a great character and personality. He’s also committed to win the 2014 Absa Cape Epic. However, many unexpected scenarios can happen, which we’re very aware of.” Rabon adds: “It’s such an honour to ride with Christoph. He’s such a legend and we’ve become really good teammates, so I feel really good about us riding together.”

Nino Schurter and Philip Buys will be competing as team Scott-Odlo Racing. Schurter is a specialist when it comes to short course cross-country races, where races last 90 minutes. As a world champion, there is little doubt that his immense physiology and skill will carry him to an elusive stage win and perhaps a podium spot overall. In turn, local lad Buys demonstrated he is up to this monumental task when he dueled José Hermida and Rudi van Houts to the finish line in Lourensford last year.

http://www.cape-epic.com//data/news/04_Philip%20and%20Nino.jpeg

New Partnership: Nino Schurter and Philip Buys

Says Schurter: “We’re racing together for the first time and I’m really looking forward to it. Philip has great experience with stage races in the African heat and I’ve got experience in cross-country races. This will make us super strong.” Buys adds: “I feel honoured to ride with the fastest rider on the planet. Although slightly nervous, my excitement overpowers it.”

Mixed category winner Ariane Kleinhans has foregone her partnership with husband Erik to participate this year with Annika Langvad in the Women’s category. Langvad might be seen as a newbie, but the two-time marathon world champion, Danish cross-country and time trial champion, is a good match.

Kleinhans comments: “Annika and I previously participated in a stage race where we won every stage as well as the overall. It was a very good test for our new partnership. We made a really good team both on and off the bike. We’re very motivated to go for the overall win.” Langvad adds: “Even though we’re two very different riders with two completely different histories, somehow everything just fits together.”

Karl Platt and Urs Huber will ride together for the second time as the Bulls. The Swiss/German team proved last year that they never give up fighting.

http://www.cape-epic.com//data/news/ACE2013Day7_GB-283.JPG

Tried and Tested: Karl Platt and Urs Huber

Says Platt: “I think we had a very successful partnership last year and we’re looking forward to this year’s event.” Huber adds: “Our second place in the 2013 Absa Cape Epic was a sign that we’re a good team. Our goal is to win, which means we have to be focused and concentrate during the whole week, without making any mistakes.”

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Comments

leona

Feb 5, 2014, 10:24 AM

so who's erik riding with now he's been dumped for another woman? :)

jcza

Feb 5, 2014, 10:30 AM

so who's erik riding with now he's been dumped for another woman? :)

 

Nico Bell?

Shebeen

Feb 5, 2014, 10:30 AM

sauser has a rich history of riding his epic partners into the ground(burry was the only one who actually came back for more)!! but with a hairdo like that, it looks like Rabon can take some pain :thumbup:

 

jokes aside, i think the top spot might be a bit more open this year.

Gen

Feb 5, 2014, 10:32 AM

Yoh yoh. . Absolutely fantastic for Buys to team up with Schurter.. tail-whips galore.

 

 

slabs

Feb 5, 2014, 10:34 AM

Platt/Huber must be favourites - 2nd last year and an established team.

 

Platt a multiple winner and look what Huber did at Attakwas

Sharkie 2

Feb 5, 2014, 10:43 AM

Nino and Phil are going to win it this year...reason why I say this is because Nino would not have changed his partner if he was not seeking a win. Phillip is in the shpae of his life currently

jcza

Feb 5, 2014, 10:47 AM

Nino and Phil are going to win it this year...reason why I say this is because Nino would not have changed his partner if he was not seeking a win. Phillip is in the shpae of his life currently

 

Cant see them winning it. Battle will be between Sauser/Rabon and Platt/Huber.

Total Trek

Feb 5, 2014, 11:25 AM

Cant see them winning it. Battle will be between Sauser/Rabon and Platt/Huber.

 

Why? Have you seen either of their training programmes?

nathrix

Feb 5, 2014, 11:37 AM

Why? Have you seen either of their training programmes?

 

Don't need to. Didn't see Nino or Phillip at the Attakwas which is a good indicator for epic. Attakwas aside, looking at rider history, Sauser/Rabon and Platt/Huber are definitely the favorites. Rabon impressed everyone at Attakwas, didn't expect the "newby" to finish in under 5 hours... Shows me he is more than capable dirtroady :ph34r:

Rudi Pollard

Feb 5, 2014, 11:41 AM

I also think Phil and Nino will win a stage or maybe two but not the overall. I will put my money on Erik and Nico taking the african jersey and maybe even a podium spot, if they don't have to provide to much backup for Suzi and Rabon...

FondTF2

Feb 5, 2014, 12:01 PM

Is Kevin riding this year?

kosmonooit

Feb 5, 2014, 12:07 PM

SA Teams up for contention?

jcza

Feb 5, 2014, 12:09 PM

Why? Have you seen either of their training programmes?

 

No only past results - lets place a bookmark here. Nino and Phil wont make the podium.

jcza

Feb 5, 2014, 12:11 PM

SA Teams up for contention?

 

Lill & Keey

Kleinhans & Bell

Evans & ?

Rudi Pollard

Feb 5, 2014, 12:14 PM

Lill & Keey

Kleinhans & Bell

Evans & ?

 

As far as I know he is riding with Brandon Stewart isn't he?

Sworks20

Feb 5, 2014, 12:27 PM

Why? Have you seen either of their training programmes?

Why? Have you seen either of their training programmes?

 

Thats exactly what I though re: training.

Sworks20

Feb 5, 2014, 12:29 PM

As far as I know he is riding with Brandon Stewart isn't he?

 

Is Brandon allowed to race?

Total Trek

Feb 5, 2014, 12:34 PM

No only past results - lets place a bookmark here. Nino and Phil wont make the podium.

 

At this stage its not entirely fair to judge on past results. Yes I agree in the past Phil hasn't been a force to reckon with in the majority of XCM races. Mostly because all of his training was focused on XCO. They won last year's African jersey almost purely on XCO specific training. Partnering with Nino this year has shifted his focus primarily to XCM racing with Epic as the end goal. Seeing how hard and disciplined he has trained the last few months, specifically for Epic, I reckon they will at least be podium contenders.

jcza

Feb 5, 2014, 12:41 PM

At this stage its not entirely fair to judge on past results. Yes I agree in the past Phil hasn't been a force to reckon with in the majority of XCM races. Mostly because all of his training was focused on XCO. They won last year's African jersey almost purely on XCO specific training. Partnering with Nino this year has shifted his focus primarily to XCM racing with Epic as the end goal. Seeing how hard and disciplined he has trained the last few months, specifically for Epic, I reckon they will at least be podium contenders.

 

Their problem is that they are up against the top XCM riders in the world, wishing them well but it will be tough. Don't forget about the other Bulls and European teams.

Sharkie 2

Feb 5, 2014, 12:52 PM

Their problem is that they are up against the top XCM riders in the world, wishing them well but it will be tough. Don't forget about the other Bulls and European teams.

Some of the Euro guys will be racing Dullstroom, all of them will be riding Sabie and Tulbagh so rather judge Phillips form then you might just be surprised

nathrix

Feb 5, 2014, 1:35 PM

My money's on Christoph Sauser/Frantisek Rabon for overall win this year.

2nd Karl Platt/Urs Huber

3rd ??

jcza

Feb 5, 2014, 2:44 PM

My money's on Christoph Sauser/Frantisek Rabon for overall win this year.

2nd Karl Platt/Urs Huber

3rd ??

 

Bulls have an advantage with 3 teams but they also had 3 teams in previous years and missed out. Don't forget about

 

Fluckiger/Naef

Boehme/Stiebjahn

Sahm/Dietsch

Hermida/Van Houts

Mennen/Hynek

Sitting slip

Feb 5, 2014, 3:19 PM

You guys are forgeting about fumic and the cannondale boys

Grondpad

Feb 5, 2014, 3:24 PM

...

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