Absa Cape Epic 2018

[Scalpel]

Confirmed. Nino will be carrying on as a Leopard.

[Chris NewbyFraser]

I shall await the abuse that is sure to come my way.

 

The idea of only allowing teams of two to ride is unfair. It costs a fortune to prepare and get to a big event. Then, something completely out of a persons control happens and they have to withdraw. All the partner can now do is ride the balance of an event as a vicious training ride but they will not be recorded as a finisher.

Events need to allow individual timing. Sure, let the Epic allocate prize monies to intact teams but also allow solo riders (as starters!) to enter, ride and be recognised as an official finisher.

 

Two person teams only? Bollocks!

[shaper]

Confirmed. Nino will be carrying on as a Leopard.

Wonder if SRAM had anything to do with this... test proving Etap Eagle over the duration of the EPIC?

[BaGearA]

Given that this type of marathon riding (especially the next 3 days) won't complement his XC ambitions I would say he bins it and focuses on seeking revenge on Gaze at the next World Cup...

already confirmed he's going on solo

[Scalpel]

see post below.

[Li Mu Bai]

I shall await the abuse that is sure to come my way.

 

The idea of only allowing teams of two to ride is unfair. It costs a fortune to prepare and get to a big event. Then, something completely out of a persons control happens and they have to withdraw. All the partner can now do is ride the balance of an event as a vicious training ride but they will not be recorded as a finisher.

Events need to allow individual timing. Sure, let the Epic allocate prize monies to intact teams but also allow solo riders (as starters!) to enter, ride and be recognised as an official finisher.

 

Two person teams only? Bollocks!

Pffft. Its a team event. The dynamics and intrigue and politics that riding as a team provides is so much more challenging and interesting than solo riding. More than enough solo stuff  on the calendar anyway.

[BaGearA]

Wonder if SRAM had anything to do with this... test proving Etap Eagle over the duration of the EPIC?

very interesting thought

[Scalpel]

Wonder if SRAM had anything to do with this... test proving Etap Eagle over the duration of the EPIC?

 

So far Nino has not used Etap in the Epic. Yesterday and this morning he was riding with normal cable Eagle.

[shaper]

Nino does not ride with the Etap in the Epic. Yesterday and this morning he was riding with normal cable Eagle.

Thanks for clarifying... have not really been following....

 

Edit, now that he is solo, might be an opportunity to experiment with Etap

[Cookie88]

already confirmed he's going on solo

Cutting daisies at the back of the Pro Pack suuuurely? 

[BaGearA]

Thanks for clarifying... have not really been following....

 

Edit, now that he is solo, might be an opportunity to experiment with Etap

being stuck in the middle of nowhere with an electronic groupo in testing must suck tho 

[ChUkKy]

Ai..Stirnemann won't be able to continue..he has some or other infection

 

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

I want a pair of those sunnies!!

[Shebeen]

So... I have a question which I have theories to..

 

Why do SO many racers get stomach bugs in the lead up to an event like this or during?

 

Didn't Amy Beth suffer from a severe stomach bug that nearly cost her and Ariane the Cape Pioneer Trek?

 

SO many.. top end and mid packers alike.

 

Let the theories and comments flow.... 

 

 

dunno, but I'm going with lots of people all together with not so much hand washing.

 

Seems to have been quite a bit going round the aussie cricket team in PE(did you see mitchell's marsh?) and the stormers(or some other superrugby team) also had it bad recently. even one of the umpires had to take a sicky to sit on the john.

[Shebeen]

it'll be fun they said...

 

[BaGearA]

it'll be fun they said...

 

lol

 

 

 

she'd still kick my ass .... and I'd let her 

[mrcg]

No ways....expect Nino up front gunning it. He's prepared for the toughest Epic and he will use it as a build up to the XC season. Keep to the season plan. No way is he going to change anything. Without having to pull Stirni along....I reckon he will be at the sharp end until the finish (without interfering).

With regard to stomach bug syndrome: as mentioned in a few posts above, it's the culmination of many factors: high intensity training thus compromised immune system (for some) and "unhygienic" environment. Germs get passed on easily through touching anything (from loo's flush, to shower, to plates, cutlery etc etc). It doesn't float in the air.

Coverage of Prologue: I thought it was rubbish. Poor directing, poor static camera positions. Best part was the E-bikes - they should have 4 or 5 of those roaming on the different tracks. They give best indication of reality of riding, esp the single track - need to also see the steep uphills (all so much easier on an Ebike). Thanks Stefan Sahm and Thomas Dietsch for those live feeds!

Haven't yet had a chance to check the live stream - look forward to it tomorrow.

Other than that - have a serious case of FOMO! Depsite the negatives, still an aqwesome event to partake in. Wished they allowed solo riders - then I would be there. Finding a partner a pain....