WHO REALLY WON THE 2012 EPIC ?

[Aurora]

If the major road races are UCI regulated and the riders get given bottles and jackets every 30 minutes, is that not outside assistance?

 

It falls under the same code of conduct and rules..

 

Anyway... who still reads these local mags? Same #### different month

[Wyatt Earp]

My understanding is that the event did not fall under UCI regulations in 2005

It does now and that might have quite a dramatic effect on the rules but as well as the penalties

 

They have done this regularly since then.

[Spinnekop]

Interesting little question for you fella's

 

Rules are rules right ?

 

So in the 2005 (If I recall the correct year) edition of the Epic, it pissed with rain on day 1.

It was a horrendous day.

My partner and I didn't have too much of a bad day as we took spare pads with on the stage.

 

The race rules clearly stated a cut-off time.

This was extended by an hour and when a big chunk of the field were still not in, it was extended by another hour, not just did this happen, but all DNF were relinquished.

 

Now this is not right, is it, especially to those who rode themselves in to a stupor to make the cut-off.

 

Bottom line, the race commissaire reserves the right to "bend" the rules at his discretion.

 

Kevin should have made public there and then what their decision was and perhaps there would not have been a hunt for sensationalism in print afterwards.

 

Best post I have seen here.

[Hairy]

A realistic perspective needs to be taken on account of adverse weather.

 

Sorry OP, but I do think your rant is a little overboard on this one.

[splat]

I see your point, but I was there and the temperature mid way through plummeted, the wind chill factor was huge and it occurred on a section that did not require you to pedal, or was not possible to pedal through. You could not have forseen this and thus the scramble for warmth.

 

I watched as a friend of mine stood in front of me - BLUE, passed out on her feet, eyes rolling back in her head, shaking uncontrollably and still wanting to continue. I would have given her my only raincoat but it was too little too late. She did not continue under orders from the medic. She could have passed out while descending and killed herself.

 

 

Sounds like Lara

[Wolweseun]

I rode that stage

Granted I was nowhere near the podium but it was horrendous and I would have taken extra kit from anyone even if i was leading

It was farkin cold in the mountains

[Wyatt Earp]

A realistic perspective needs to be taken on account of adverse weather.

 

Sorry OP, but I do think your rant is a little overboard on this one.

Hairy, I don't think the OP was ranting, I get more the impression that he simply would like to get some hubbers opinions, and you know how we can go off the rails

[Showtime]

If kevin and David "found" their raincoats lying on the side of the road after they "blew" out of the team cars window I'm sure they would have picked them up and Burry and Christoff or anyone else would not have said anything either.

 

That stage was ridiculous in the wet, and regardless of rules the safety of the riders must overrule. When I say safety that includes putting the health of riders in jeopardy.

 

It was raining at the start...granted... but only later near water point two was it so freezing that a huge number of competitors pulled out due to hypothermia. Elite athletes have extraordinary low fat percentages and can easily fall fate to this. Unless you were there..and riding...I don't think you can pass comment about wether or not Burry needed a jacket, the fact that K&D could not take jackets is another issue altogether.

 

Could you imagine the headlines and disaster for the race if the headline read "Epic Comm denies clothing - Podium teams hospitalized"

 

This post does not add up. How is denying K&D clothing a separate issue from allowing others clothing in the name of safety?

 

I understand it was colder than I can imagine and I don't believe Burry should be penalized but they were wrong in denying K&D the same.

[Stevief]

I was in Dr Evils store in April and he told me about this incident, he said that there are different rules for Burry and Christof. Guys if its the rules then they shouldve got a penalty. It should not be for KE and DG to lodge a complaint, the race organisers knew about it and shouldve acted accordingly, i know its not nice but thats what gives a sport integrity. when a golfer finishes his round and signs his card if he makes a mistake he knows the rules mean he gets disqualified. No sour grapes its the rules its part of the game. Nobody to blame but yourself. Burry shouldve had correct equipment he chose not to wear a jacket, he broke the rules by getting assistance. That to me is the end of it, if the rules state an hr penalty there should be no complaints from anyone.

 

I know it will never change anything they will ALWAYS be considered champs for 2012 BUT it leaves a sour taste doesnt it...and the taste isnt sour grapes.

Edited June 6, 2012 by Stevief

[(Deon)]

You are all having a semi because of what was printed "second hand news" in a local cycling rag.

I will say it again, cry me a river.

How much really goes on behind your backs you don't know about.

 

Ja, but when an investigative journo brings it to pubic att, then it is expected that Q's will be Q'd..

 

..response from suzi yet? HA HA!

[Hairy]

Hairy, I don't think the OP was ranting, I get more the impression that he simply would like to get some hubbers opinions, and you know how we can go off the rails

 

Fair comment when I re-read his post ... sorry OP.

[Caerus]

I was in Dr Evils store in April and he told me about this incident, he said that there are different rules for Burry and Christof. Guys if its the rules then they shouldve got a penalty. It should not be for KE and DG to lodge a complaint, the race organisers knew about it and shouldve acted accordingly, i know its not nice but thats what gives a sport integrity. when a golfer finishes his round and signs his card if he makes a mistake he knows the rules mean he gets disqualified. No sour grapes its the rules its part of the game. Nobody to blame but yourself. Burry shouldve had correct equipment he chose not to wear a jacket, he broke the rules by getting assistance. That to me is the end of it, if the rules state an hr penalty there should be no complaints from anyone.

 

I know it will never change anything they will ALWAYS be considered champs for 2012 BUT it leaves a sour taste doesnt it...and the taste isnt sour grapes.

That pretty much summed it up for me

[MTBIKER37]

Hi there chaps!

 

Ready to put some fuel on the fire...

 

1. During the ABSA Cape Epic where Burry got outside assistance in the form of a wheel from another rider and got a one hour time penalty K & D were one of the first teams to complain to the race officials...however a certain team manager has evidence that K & D also got outside assistance in this same race but it was "swept under the carpet"...

 

2. After the Nissan Tulbagh marathon which Burry won, K & D questioned the UCI approved SA Champs Jersey Burry rode in. As if this would have made a difference in the results!

 

3. At this years ABSA Cape Epic where Burry was given a Specialized rain jersey K & D complained to the race officials that it was outside assistance. The matter was declared a medical issue and that the rider could have become hypothermic.

 

The above points prove that they are not the angels everyone thinks...they are always one of the first teams to complain. Rather than beat their opponents on the track they look for technicalties afterwards...That is not racing!

 

That being said Burry has done alot for SA cycling, but everytime he races locally, two of SA's finest can't beat him on the bike and look for technicalities. What has K & D done on the world stage for SA?

 

BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND COME TO MIND...

 

Marathon is not Burry's speciality but is supposed to be K & D's, and Burry beats them at that. Why dont't they race Burry in a CC race?

 

Burry has much bigger things to worry about than the colour of his socks and whether or not K & D approve of his kit...so rather than badmouthing him and trying to cut him down let support SA's Olympic hopefull.

 

Feel free to comment...

 

GO BURRY!

[bradwentzel]

That pretty much summed it up for me

 

Agree

[bassasdaindia]

thank you dangle

 

i am not ranting

 

let me state the following :

 

1) i do think burry is the best mtb in SA and the best we have ever had to date (opinion)

2) i do feel Christoph has done more for SA mtb than any other international pro - kudos to him (opinion)

3) i do believe burry and christoph were the strongets team at 2012 epic (opinion)

 

but rules are rules and why was this swept under the carpet/rug

 

why didn't K Vermaak or Epic make it public knowledge immediately and state there ruling ?

Edited June 6, 2012 by bassasdaindia

[Stevief]

Ready to put some fuel on the fire...

 

1. ...however a certain team manager has evidence that K & D also got outside assistance in this same race but it was "swept under the carpet"...

 

2. After the Nissan Tulbagh marathon which Burry won, K & D questioned the UCI approved SA Champs Jersey Burry rode in. As if this would have made a difference in the results!

 

3. At this years ABSA Cape Epic where Burry was given a Specialized rain jersey K & D complained to the race officials that it was outside assistance. The matter was declared a medical issue and that the rider could have become hypothermic.

 

The above points prove that they are not the angels everyone thinks...they are always one of the first teams to complain. Rather than beat their opponents on the track they look for technicalties afterwards...That is not racing!

 

 

 

Sorry but your points PROVE nothing

point 1. is hearsay not proof.

Point 2 is incorrect as KE never said a thing about the colour jersey the media turned that into a strm in a teacup

. And point 3 was discussed by commentators before the stage ended so when and where did KE and DG complain. The incident was seen and noticed by everyone as it happened.

 

Im a Burry fan and a KE fan, but as i stated earlier rules are rules.