Van Jaarsveld and Nüssli looking for podium finish in 2012 Absa Cape Epic

[Matt]

The Absa Cape Epic, now in its ninth year, has become one of the most important events on the global mountain biking calendar. For the first time this year, riders in the Ladies category will be given the opportunity to earn UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) points at an HC (Hors Categorie) race. Two ladies to watch out for are Karien van Jaarsveld and Jane Nüssli.

 

Van Jaarsveld and Nüssli will be riding as team MTN Quebeka. This will be Van Jaarsveld’s second Absa Cape Epic, after having won last year’s Ladies category. “The Absa Cape Epic is the most prestigious mountain bike event and being part of it is a privilege and an achievement in itself. Having completed the race, and quite successfully, leave you wanting more. Participating in the Cape Epic is like getting a tattoo on your face - you must really commit,” adds Van Jaarsveld.

 

Karien van Jaarsveld of Team USN, leading Women’s team during stage 3 of the 2011 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Saronsberg Wine Estate in Tulbagh to Worcester Gymnasium in Worcester, South Africa on the 30 March 2011.

Photo by Sven Martin/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

 

For Nüssli, this will be her first Absa Cape Epic. Adds Nüssli: “I’m glad I finally made it to the Cape Epic. I was asked before to participate but I was only going to race it with a partner I can rely on. I am very excited that it worked out for 2012.” Fortunately this team are able to work well together. Nüssli adds that mutual respect is important to make a good team. “I really do believe that everyone fights at some point in such an extreme race and then it’s good to know your partner is there to support you.” Van Jaarsveld believes they match up well because of their similar strengths. “Jane has a good track record in mountain biking internationally and is eager to race. We have researched many potential partnerships and it seems that Jane and I might pair up well with similar strengths. We are mature athletes who both work, apart from training really hard,” adds Van Jaarsveld.

 

Nüssli, who lives overseas (Switzerland), will be coming down to South Africa in February to train with Van Jaarsveld for three weeks. “This should give us enough time to find out where out strengths lie,” adds Nüssli. “Since it’s winter here, I’ve had to train indoors a lot. In December, I trained in Gran Canaria for 10 days which meant lots of climbing. At the moment, I focus on training my core. As for my diet, I ensure that my body gets enough vitamins by eating lots of fruit and vegetables. I also bake my own bread and energy bars. This way, I know what’s inside and I can avoid chemical additives.”

 

Van Jaarsveld follows a balanced diet and takes resting in her training seriously. “I train in blocks of 3 with 3 hard days and a recovery day in between. I will do this for about 3 weeks, then take a few more days, like a week recovery in between. Recovery is key in the Absa Cape Epic and training your body to recover is as important as your hardest training day. My diet is typically lean proteins and a sufficient amount of complex carbohydrates.”

 

Overall leading ladies Karien van Jaarsveld and Sally Bigham during the final stage (stage 7) of the 2011 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Oak Valley to Lourensford, South Africa on the3rd April 2011.

Photo by Karin Schermbrucker/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

 

Fortunately for these two riders, neither have any injuries which could affect their performance at this year’s event. According to Van Jaarsveld “the last stage is probably the toughest on the body, as you’ve been through so much during the previous stages. I really battled in last year’s final stage and my legs said ‘sorry for you!’” Regardless of the pain endured, Van Jaarsveld still had an incredible feeling of accomplishment when she crossed the finish line in first place last year. “There are no words to describe it, but I will try… Hearing the music from a kilometre away, and feeling so proud of finishing such a gruelling event makes any negative emotion you felt over the last week disappear. You get so excited and happy to finish the race, it’s actually very emotional! I will always cherish that feeling of crossing the line with a double handed salute with me. It is the highlight of my life.”

 

Van Jaarsveld and Nüssli are hoping for a podium finish. “We’ll certainly give it our best. Lots can happen in a stage race! Karien and I wouldn’t mind to stand at the very top!” comments Nüssli. Van Jaarsveld adds: “The Ladies field changed significantly from previous years. It’s almost like a whole new competition with women also now qualifying for UCI points. There is an incentive for athletes to participate and it will be a very strong field going forward. As much as stage wins will be nice, ultimately, a podium position will be the goal.”

 

Nüssli advises that a good team and partner that you can rely on will help one to complete the Absa Cape Epic successfully. Adds Van Jaarsveld: “Recovery is also important. The minute you get off the bike, it’s important to settle down, eat, get a massage, rest, eat some more and sleep.” This team is looking forward to the countryside and single trails that lie ahead of them for this year’s Cape Epic. One favourite for many and for Van Jaarsveld in particular, is Lourensford, no doubt because it’s the finish line!

 

In her free time, which Van Jaarsveld has very little of, she enjoys sneaking away to Cape Town and riding her Vespa. She also enjoys cooking and Bikram yoga. Nüssli enjoys friends and hockey: “When I have time, I love to meet up with my friends. I also love ice-hockey and currently our city hockey club (Zug) is number 1 in the Swiss National League.”

 

Nüssli’s ambitions for 2012 include completing a couple of races in Switzerland. “There are a few classic races in Switzerland I’d like to win, if all goes well. I’m also looking forward to the European Championships. I was unlucky last year and finished 4^th so I have unfinished business!” Van Jaarsveld is looking forward to completing some of the well-known mountain biking events in South Africa, besides the Absa Cape Epic. “I would also like to complete the Trans Alps. I want to do well in the national marathon series and helping my team MTN Quebeka on the road circuit.”

 

Nüssli concludes: “Follow you dreams, but don’t forget to learn to stand on your own two legs.” Van Jaarsveld believes young athletes must be curious and explore their talents and dreams. “I never even dreamed of being a professional cyclist and only by participating and doing something I loved, did I discover I had some talent. That lead to my first South African marathon title and Cape Epic victory - all this while having fun.”

 

From 25 March to 1 April, all eyes will be on the Western Cape as the world's top riders vie for position in what is billed to be the most competitive event in the race’s history. Covering a distance of 781km with 16 300m of climbing, the race will finish eight days later at Lourensford Wine Estate.

 

Visit www.cape-epic.com for more details and to see where the riders are online during the race.

 

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