Mlayne

one tonner only had index of 2 last year due to heat 35+ Celsius. Normally lower than that and less than 1.2 previously. I think Stellenbosch cycle Tour is also good for seeding

Wow!! those cross winds were something else... Hope one tonner has less wind

Sagan pushes lead out to 69 seconds with 24km to go.... Go Sagan!

Some thoughts from a relative rookie DC rider but have completed 2 DC's one In 8hr in 2016 and the the other 6:49 (2017). Both years we finished with all 12. Last year we struggled to find female riders to join as a mixed team despite trying hard. Our team consisted of riders with CTCT time of between 3:02 and 3:30. We found that there are not many ladies willing to commit to the training schedule over 12 - 16 weeks. Required for sub 7hrs. They were either already in pro am type teams (sub 6 DC) or only willing to do social 8hrs or more. So it may be challenge finding 12 ladies for the team of a 7hr DC who are not already committed elsewhere.

Apologies it is Howard Grotts riding with Kulhavy

I think he is riding with songo. Info with Jaroslav kulhavy

Can't wait to see what Gaze does in the Epic

This is brilliant... :-)

Well done all.. Started out great conditions but got a bit hot and windy in end.. We still managed to achieve our goal of sub 7 in 6:49;58 with all 12 across the line #forthepureloveofcycling

I suppose because they can then be held liable if the race goes ahead and someone gets injured who then proves that the wind was blowing harder at point Y...... This opens a different can of worms. Also people would already have traveled to Cape Town by then

More people than just the elites ride this race

Did you ride in 2009? Do you remember coming down chappies or Victoria road from Llandudno where people were blown off their bikes? So clearly the start was not the only problem. So stop harping on the start only when there were clearly other areas with winds >50km/h and more dangerous with a cliff face. Or do you believe that 35000 cyclists all have immaculate control downhill with gale force winds

I don't disagree with that but just stating that we maybe need to think of the reasons they do what they do....

I love cycling and this sport.. but am seriously worried about Hubbers only showing a selfish concern for themselves not been able to ride the race twice or looking for a refund when the sport by it very nature is highly dependant on road and other natural conditions. Also consider all the charities benefiting as well as cycling in general via PPA from. Proceed of race. Yes, one of the most dangerous areas is the start but coming down Chappies or Llandudno is also extremely treacherous when the wind is howling down over the mountain. We may be able to handle our bikes but it take a moment of lost control or concentration for a massive accident especially in groups 4a down where there are Less capable bike handlers and people have spent longer in the saddle than our 2 or 3 hours. So wind is a valid reason... And yes I rode and finished in 2009(scary as hell) and was in Start chute today when race was called off because I was to scared missing out and of making the right decision to not ride myself. If someone was seriously injured or killed we would be complaining that the race should have been stopped. Notwithstanding our serious bourgeois attitude in not understanding why a protest is occurring we are more concerned that we are inconvenienced but the very same people protesting are the ones propping up our very comfortable lifestyle and by working in our factories or companies where we earn thousands and they earn pennies. Or the the very workers that keep our roads clean of debris or fixing potholes that we can ride our very expensive wheels without fear of of accident or damage. Yes it is disappointing and tragic that the race was stopped in a decision not taken lightly for either of the three reasons provided but for one moment stop thinking of ourselves and consider what makes people protest in the first place, yes some are politically motivated but others are very much due to dire circumstances and lack of adequate living conditions.