Cape Epic Exxaro development teams

[vanniri]

While watching the CE on telly I noticed not a single one of these development riders waiting for their respective partners when crossing the finish line.

 

When you recieve something for nothing does courtesy fly out of the window?

[Zac.A]

Well I was there, and I saw 2 teams riding over together high-fiving, and then 2 others racing each other. Keep in mind that 2 of them lost partners as well.

[4u2nv]

don't get me started on development riders. Get sponsored with spez bikes and kit, then rides the 3km spur race, while some other laatie ( also previously disadvantaged ) rides with his old bike and takkies, and rides the crap out of the older guys in the 56km.

It's all about media and attention, got boggerol to do with development. Big companies only get into this for the limelight.

[kosmonooit]

Maybe 'development' window dressing to an extent, but at least they are doing something there, which is LOT more than can be said for other events./ series.

 

Also Christophs Songo project is great work - BMX track in the 'location' etc, that's making a diffs for sure..

[kandui]

I think this Academy was cobbled together at short notice and the riders might not have been fully prepared for the Epic. I was riding amongst a number of the teams and while they all looked like they could deal with the distance, their technical skills, teamwork and trail etiquette were a bit "loose" at times.

The idea behind the Initiative is great, don't get me wrong, but an Epic is perhaps not the ideal first time race to take part in as a novice mountain biker.

I would often see them flying along , overtaking everyone on the flats, but when you got to a major hill, there they were , resting against their bikes and letting everyone pass them again. Riding along the technical dual tracks, they would squeeze past a couple of riders and then stop. get back on the bike for another 300m and then stop.

On the final run into Robertson on Day 2, on the tar, an Exxaro team wanted to beat us to the finish and we took up the challenge. Before a corner one of the guys doesn't hold his line, but tries to cut inside me and we were doing around 40km/h! His partner is weaving all over the place with a tight entry through 2 boulders , across a pavement coming up. I decided to step off the gas, rather than risk a silly accident. 100m on where the tar road is open and wide with the finish in sight, they ride as if they're on a Sunday outing. Very odd.

The point is that if you want to stick development riders (not technically skilled yet and a bit erratic) into a serious race like the Epic, they need a coach to teach them the rules of the trail and help them to ride to a plan every day. I wouldn't say that I felt endangered by the Exxaro riders , but whenever they were close , I rode a bit more carefully. Well done to those who finished on their Mamba Green KTM Hard Tails. They had guts.

[hulk]

You guys are totally out of line .I personally train two of those so called spur fun riders ,namely Spha Mtshali and Siyabonga Njiva . These guys only received comfirmation of there epic entry about three months before the Epic . They worked very hard in a very short space of time to get into shape just to finish this ride . Given the short space of time they did very well . Contrary to your s short sighted and uneducated comments , these two riders did not receive unlimited support from a big corporation . A entry yes , but the rest my privileged friends. Came out there own pockets . So judge not !

[eitan]

We also rode with some of the Exxaro riders a lot and although they did make some judgement mistakes (like all of us do) we found them to be courteous, well trained and with some good skills; especially on the downhills. They did lack some climbing ability and often started the climbs too hard - maybe because of lack of a proper training ground where they come from. Most of them also looked out for their partners and waited at the top of climbs. I also noticed that they must have had some training on bike maintenance as well because they seemed quite adapt at fixing various technical issues on their bikes.

[Shebeen]

You guys are totally out of line .I personally train two of those so called spur fun riders ,namely Spha Mtshali and Siyabonga Njiva . These guys only received comfirmation of there epic entry about three months before the Epic . They worked very hard in a very short space of time to get into shape just to finish this ride . Given the short space of time they did very well . Contrary to your s short sighted and uneducated comments , these two riders did not receive unlimited support from a big corporation . A entry yes , but the rest my privileged friends. Came out there own pockets . So judge not !

tell us more.. did they have to do the rest of the legwork, getting bikes/kit/nutrition etc.?! the whole concept seems VERY marketing, none of us seem to know if there is an actual program, with proper support or it's just a bit of CSI.

[Sharkie 2]

Another piss up story on someone who can't take others getting oppertunities in life

[Top Fuel]

I had these riders all the time. They are really bad. They just have no respect for anyone else. Once they smashed it to the front of the train and then just pulled to the side like they need to be towed along. They went out of their way not to be at the front. But they just used all their energy to get there. Go figure. Needless to say we dropped them immediately. They should not have been allowed on this race. They were a hazard to anyone that they came across. It is a pity cause it looked like some of them might have some talent. They need to learn the rules of the game before they play it.

[capeofstorms]

While watching the CE on telly I noticed not a single one of these development riders waiting for their respective partners when crossing the finish line.

 

When you recieve something for nothing does courtesy fly out of the window?

 

Dude get a life. Don't be envious of others getting an opportunity.

[rpedro]

I was super impressed with the results achieved by the Exxaro academy riders. Well done to them (the riders) and to Exxaro for giving these youngsters the opportunity. Unfortunately not all previously disadvantage individuals will get this opportunity but they do have the opportunity to apply in future and hopefully then they might get into the program.

[rpedro]

You guys are totally out of line .I personally train two of those so called spur fun riders ,namely Spha Mtshali and Siyabonga Njiva . These guys only received comfirmation of there epic entry about three months before the Epic . They worked very hard in a very short space of time to get into shape just to finish this ride . Given the short space of time they did very well . Contrary to your s short sighted and uneducated comments , these two riders did not receive unlimited support from a big corporation . A entry yes , but the rest my privileged friends. Came out there own pockets . So judge not !

 

+10000

[Danger Dassie]

So someone looks at the telly and is an instant expert. Amazing powers of deduction and intuition!

To say they shouldn't have been there because of skills/attitude whatever is absolute bollocks, because by the same token MANY of the non development riders shouldn't have been there either.

['Dale]

Well I was there, and I saw 2 teams riding over together high-fiving, and then 2 others racing each other. Keep in mind that 2 of them lost partners as well.

 

 

It is possible that they were "outcasts".

['Dale]

I admire the Exxaro initiative.

It looks sustainable and is well integrated on the branding platform of the Cape Epic, right alongside Absa, etc.

 

What is impressive is the statement that, in a few years, they want to compete at the highest level.