Matt Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 dunno. 2017 is a year after the olympics. pretty sure he will be lining it up as a year to really go for Epic. He did ride a few events for Scott on the road in 2014, BUT i think all focus will shift to defending his olympic title in tokyo from next year. He will do epic, he comes here to train anyway, but won't necessarily be going for the win like this year.At the pre-event press conference Nino played down aspirations of a win this year, saying that this year is more of a recon for him and Stirnemann ahead of a proper go at the overall in 2018. But if Stirnemann can find his feet this year who knows...
Nick Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 Just a reminder about our daily Epic Photo Comp. You can vote on the photos from Stage 2 here.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 What's a few shots of EPO between friends?Pre-drinks
Eldron Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 I hope every one is booing and shouting doper every time Hincapie gets up on the stage Eldron we need you!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.
Shebeen Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 At the pre-event press conference Nino played down aspirations of a win this year, saying that this year is more of a recon for him and Stirnemann ahead of a proper go at the overall in 2018. But if Stirnemann can find his feet this year who knows... recon...it's not like nino doesn't know anything about this race! lots of first timers have ended up podium before too
DIPSLICK Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 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.bud if they can tell the guptas to get stitched,,,,i really dont think you going to have much effect with your boycott
SwissVan Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 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 Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 recon...it's not like nino doesn't know anything about this race! lots of first timers have ended up podium before tooTrue, 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. Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 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 Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 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 Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 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 Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 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 Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 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 Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 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 Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 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
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