Absa Cape Epic 2017

[SwissVan]

Fortunately I won't need that strategy as I am much more comfortable watching the Epic than even thinking of doing it.

Not even a teeny weeny little stab of inkling to do it....

Ignoring the entry fee of course

[Matt]

recon...it's not like nino doesn't know anything about this race!

 

lots of first timers have ended up podium before too

True, but there is only so much his "theory" lessons will help Stirnemann.... it's all about the practical experience.

 

I wouldn't count them out though. In their hunt for a stage win they could see themselves take the lead in one of the coming stages.

[Jakkals.]

Sadly I'm not there to yell DOPER at the two George's. I still can't believe those two have the stones to show their faces at a bike race.

 

ABSA will never again see a cent of my money thanks their sponsoring dopers.

its one of those things where they've forgotten about it and you holding a grudge, it only messes with you, for them life goes on.

[Robbie Stewart]

Who is rider 141-2? Sitting 22nd overall. Name sounds familiar. Trying to remember where I know the name from. 

 

O wait, he was bust for drugs. I thought this race had some strict zero tolerance rule???? Correct me if am wrong.

 

I read an article recently where this exact predicament was discussed. Specifically from the angle of institutions making their own set of rules, to suit only them. It was comical to see the example used was this precise one, where the Cape Epic rules begin to say that if you have ever been found guilty of using PED's (my own very loose translation  usage of the specific rule), you will not be allowed to enter and be banned for life. 

 

The article goes on to moan how these same institutions then change this law to allow them to circumvent it for their own nefarious purposes, such as Cape Epic stating that this law applies only if you are found guilty after 2012, thus allowing these same people supposedly banned to enter anyway. 

 

And as a side-line spectator, all I see is the fact that their credibility has become naught.

[Matt]

I read an article recently where this exact predicament was discussed. Specifically from the angle of institutions making their own set of rules, to suit only them. It was comical to see the example used was this precise one, where the Cape Epic rules begin to say that if you have ever been found guilty of using PED's (my own very loose translation  usage of the specific rule), you will not be allowed to enter and be banned for life. 

 

The article goes on to moan how these same institutions then change this law to allow them to circumvent it for their own nefarious purposes, such as Cape Epic stating that this law applies only if you are found guilty after 2012, thus allowing these same people supposedly banned to enter anyway. 

 

And as a side-line spectator, all I see is the fact that their credibility has become naught.

That's not entirely true, at the outset the intent was to only apply the lifetime ban to future offenders (as from 1 January 2013).

 

Says Kevin Vermaak, founder of the race: “As of 1 January 2013, any athlete (professional or amateur) caught using performance enhancing substances, whether at another event or out of competition, will be banned for life from participating in the Absa Cape Epic. Not only will the person not be allowed to participate (as an amateur rider or UCI- licensed elite), but the individual will also be banned from being involved on any level including as a team manager. This is harsher than what is required currently by any federation, but is our considered opinion of what should be enforced even on a wider scale with regards to event participation of convicted dope cheats.”

 

Read the press release from December 2012 here: https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/news/industry-news/absa-cape-epic-to-impose-lifetime-ban-for-doping-and-increase-in-competition-testing-r396

[scotty]

Best update of the day..

 

As always, Grand Masters leader Heinz Zoerweg crosses the line and immediately enjoys a beer????

Seems logical to me

[Shebeen]

Here is the brief state of play at what is basically the halfway stage.

 

stages 4,5,6 are all tough enough for teams feeling strong to make moves, and stage 6 in particular has got the parcours for a real assault if those chasing a leaders jersey have got matches to burn.

 

 

The final stage has franschhoek pass, but with 35kms to the finish after it it will be tough to keep anything but a bunch finish going here.

 

 

In the men's the game is firmly ON! just like in 2013 (or was it 2015, or both) Sauzharvey look like they have this one in the bag even though early mishaps have kept them out of yellow so far. But there is still loads of kms to go, and Scott are not out of it only 4mins back. With plenty of winner's medals between them, the marathon teams of Bulls and Topeak are surprisingly in the bottom half of the top 10 with seemingly no way to win this from here.

 

The ladies field has turned into a 2 horse race, but meerendal have a comfortable lead over Ascendis in 2nd.The time gaps get big quickly, and almost the entire men's top 10 fit into what is currently the gaps on the ladies podium.  Last year it was the polar opposite by stage 3 with platt and huber way out front by almost 10 minutes to second place but the ladies podium all within 7.

 

 

In the african cat, pyga seem to have a comfortable gap of 15 minutes back to 2nd, and have won each stage.

In the mixed, exxaro and grand masters, the leaders have been way out in front and can all play it safe from here.

 

The Masters has the makings of a classic, with Orbea holding onto the gap they created on stage 1, but some hard charging teams improving.

[andydude]

I know Lance has dropped hints before that he would like to ride the Epic. And I'm sure with Hincapie there he would be even more interested.

 

And the only thing holding him back is that pesky UCI lifetime ban. Otherwise he would be able to do the Epic since he's been "caught" before 2013.

 

Imagine that [emoji23] The Bikehub would explode!

[DIPSLICK]

I know Lance has dropped hints before that he would like to ride the Epic. And I'm sure with Hincapie there he would be even more interested.

 

And the only thing holding him back is that pesky UCI lifetime ban. Otherwise he would be able to do the Epic since he's been "caught" before 2013.

 

Imagine that [emoji23] The Bikehub would explode!

ill start a fund

[Eugene Oppelt]

An image has a 100000000 words

 

[Eugene Oppelt]

200000000 words

 

[Eugene Oppelt]

Pleased. Moeg.

William & Phillemon, Diepsloot Mountain Bike Academy

 

 

[I FLY]

Perhaps the organisers should contemplate having qualifying criteria like with the Comrades marathon?

 

But also how do you know that you are fully prepared for something like this?

 

So many variables are in play

 

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

I went to the 2008 event in the best condition of my cycling life. I was a repeat entry so I knew what to expect but I contracted a viral infection two days before the start and spent 5 stages dodging the cutoff before I called quits.

Every day I thought I would get better but it did not happen.

[ChUkKy]

Hope the guys in Oudtshoorn, Barberton, Sabie & Mankele don't see this. I agree that some folks pitch up for a jolly and are not properly prepared. Of course it's going to be hot!

 

Clearly not a race for mid packers or metrosexuals

[Slowbee]

In my opinion the main reason for riders not making it is trying to ride too fast for their fitness levels. If your aim is just to finish and not 'dice' that other guy, eat and drink well, manage the cut off times, you should make it. It is crazy how people go out from day 1 at the same pace as their local club or buddy rides at home. You need to have a rule for day 1 to 3 where you dont go over a certain average heart rate and stick to it. But as soon as you throw a 100 guys in a bunch its a race of some kind. I have finished an Epic where I dont think i was ever in the red because i had a partner that didnt really prepare and we had to look after him. i've also had Epics where I was fitter and almost didnt finish because I was trying to race.

old school wisdom that will be missed on many !

[Tim.Whitfield]

The site is really bad regarding the women's race..

 

It's seems because Ariane isn't performing they just don't care.

 

10:42

The very hilly terrain around here has made comms a bit tricky. Trying to get info on the women, but we're hearing that Luthi/Morath were way off the pace.

That is copied off the site. Remember this is not 21st century comms for the olympics in a city centre with everything on hand. The guys doing the feed are working at a finish venue that next week will only be used by cows and goats - that means logistics are not easy. The fact up to four thousand people are watching the various feeds at any one time means the majority are getting a benefit from it.

Only one media helicopter is covering the race and the flying time needed to go back and try and find the leading women would be prohibitive, and the chances of a mistake identifying or missing the leading women is high from the air.

Just my view.