Absa Cape Epic Stage 1 - 115km : Robertson

[splat]

By the looks of it KE and DG have pushed the limits on the weight side (again) with lighter tyres where CS and BS seemed to have opted for a safety-first approach after struggling for a few years with technical issues.

 

It feels like De Ja Vu with KE loosing a carbon rim a few years back, then riding a light weight rotor last year and this year they ended up losing 20 minutes due to lighter tyres.

 

To win this race you need to err on the side of caution.

 

That was Kevin's team mate, Alban Lakata

 

'To finish first, you first need to finish...'

[GLuvsMtb]

 

 

Here is a cropped image from a pic I took yesterday.

Where is that LUST badge!

[GLuvsMtb]

 

 

That was Kevin's team mate, Alban Lakata

 

'To finish first, you first need to finish...'

Apologies, you are correct, but still all the same.

[RodTi]

By the looks of it KE and DG have pushed the limits on the weight side (again) with lighter tyres where CS and BS seemed to have opted for a safety-first approach after struggling for a few years with technical issues.

 

It feels like De Ja Vu with KE loosing a carbon rim a few years back, then riding a light weight rotor last year and this year they ended up losing 20 minutes due to lighter tyres.

 

To win this race you need to err on the side of caution.

 

Certainly starting to look that way...

[Andre Maree]

Here is a cropped image from a pic I took yesterday.

 

Yep that is the Exo sidewall protected version and weighs in at 575g. I have been using the same tyre for 6 months and seems rock solid, its just very bad luck.

[TNT1]

By the looks of it KE and DG have pushed the limits on the weight side (again)

 

Makes perfect sense to me, I mean, David is a roadie...

[Pronutro]

Yep that is the Exo sidewall protected version and weighs in at 575g. I have been using the same tyre for 6 months and seems rock solid, its just very bad luck.

 

 

 

Does anyone know which tyres are in use by Burry. Would like to know what they weigh, to see if the "it's because of the lighter tyre" theory is actually a valid one. That is what most are thinking right? It's because of the tyre choice?

Edited March 26, 2012 by Pronutro

[NotSoBigBen]

Burry did mention the heavier 'Renegades' - Specialized obviously

[scotty]

In the Epic tale video and interviews KE and DG make mention of being cautious of using lighter parts, don't know the Ikon tyre but if it was used to shave weight then... well then.

Edited March 26, 2012 by scotty

[Pronutro]

Burry did mention the heavier 'Renegades' - Specialized obviously

 

Assuming it is the Renegades, the heaviest option for that tyre (listed here http://www.specializ....jsp?spid=57082) is 470g. So it is still lighter than the Ikon tyres. So did they (360Life) try and cut corners with weight, or not?

Edited March 26, 2012 by Pronutro

[rouxtjie]

In the Epic tale video and interviews KE and DG make mention of being cautious of using lighter parts, don't know the Ikon tyre but if it was used to shave weight then... well then.

Yea that little snippet will haunt them..."one year goes by and one forgets...."

 

Also I am sure I saw Schwalbe RR snakeskins on their bikes in the epic tale, wonder why the change?

[Bos]

I dont think so.. Its easy for us to say but If you look back at the last year since last epic, how many flats did they have in local races? not many I can recall.

It has to be something to do with the actual ride.. the riders ride a lot more new roads and tracks. most races are held over the same roads an d tracks year round, so they get worn in. The epic is held in new locations that isnt ridden in IOW thorns, sharp rocks etc is moved out the way as time passes. Further the team format makes it har as you often sit on your partners wheel and get no warning of what is up the road you just hit it blind.

 

But I think on the day It might have been a combination of all of it.

[Topwine]

I dont think so.. Its easy for us to say but If you look back at the last year since last epic, how many flats did they have in local races? not many I can recall.

It has to be something to do with the actual ride.. the riders ride a lot more new roads and tracks. most races are held over the same roads an d tracks year round, so they get worn in. The epic is held in new locations that isnt ridden in IOW thorns, sharp rocks etc is moved out the way as time passes. Further the team format makes it har as you often sit on your partners wheel and get no warning of what is up the road you just hit it blind.

 

But I think on the day It might have been a combination of all of it.

 

You make some good points and I think I agree with you here. I know that stage they rode today and train on it some times. Not many, if any, other riders ride there. Sharp rock edges, many thorns etc.

 

What I can't understand is that when DG switched his back wheel at the 3rd waterpoint, they were only 11/12 min behind. What happened from there to double their deficit?

[rouxtjie]

You make some good points and I think I agree with you here. I know that stage they rode today and train on it some times. Not many, if any, other riders ride there. Sharp rock edges, many thorns etc.

 

What I can't understand is that when DG switched his back wheel at the 3rd waterpoint, they were only 11/12 min behind. What happened from there to double their deficit?

Continious problems with punctures according to the tweets. He replaced the wheel at the waterpoint because of a sidewall cut then punctures in the front

[Bos]

You make some good points and I think I agree with you here. I know that stage they rode today and train on it some times. Not many, if any, other riders ride there. Sharp rock edges, many thorns etc.

 

What I can't understand is that when DG switched his back wheel at the 3rd waterpoint, they were only 11/12 min behind. What happened from there to double their deficit?

 

they got a puncture in the front because they were riding like hell to catch up and had another flat, and another..

 

Plan B as kev tweets..

I recon plan B would be to win as many stages as possible.. maybe still podium? they wont catch songo Unless songo have similar fate somewhere, but the other teams could lose more time per day than 360 life, IOW if they crawl back while others lose time, they might be able to podium..

Oh well..

[Topwine]

 

Pic I took this morning at WP 3.

Edited March 26, 2012 by Topwine