The Bull Shark Posted March 20, 2018 Posted March 20, 2018 Must say, weather today was very kind to the riders.
nathrix Posted March 20, 2018 Posted March 20, 2018 Must say, weather today was very kind to the riders.Except for the heat and powder dust, yes
Gen Posted March 20, 2018 Posted March 20, 2018 Robbie Hunter at next years epicI see Robbie McEwen is here this year in what capacity I have no idea.. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgij0npAb3I/ Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Mntboy Posted March 20, 2018 Posted March 20, 2018 The two "smaller" ladies are definitely struggling more than their more esteemed partners. But from tomorrow the body increasingly adapts and they will get "stronger". Kate in better form - Gita burnt a lot of matches today - questions is how she will recover and what they do. Heat and distance very new to her - and she only "entered" two weeks before start. Little did she know what partnering with Arianne meant lolGita rides with camelback because of bike frame set-up - she doesn't have space for second bottle in frame - unless she uses seat post. She's probably not comfortable to grab behind her. But she might still ditch camelback for bottle. As Sauser explained, it is added heat on back and effects aero. On the Epic "toughness" - a REALLY moot discussion! Maybe best to ask a better positioned person on their views - Hanlie Steyn perhaps? Or somebody that has done more than 5 Epics. Otherwise, if you haven't done one at all or only one or two, you have no tyre to stand on. Fact is, just like in nearly ALL sports, everything surrounding performance has improved tremendously - in this case: bikes (weight, suspension, parts etc etc), training science and programmes and thus output is much higher. The SPEED of all athletes is higher so they SEEM to finish more comfortably on SAME tracks (yes, some trials are a little better prepared but this drought has evened the playing field - essentially though nature hasn't changed much at all.However, despite above, there are definitely MORE people taking part and some "should" NOT be there. I have seen plenty walking simple downhill single track (dubious skill levels) and very poor shape/conditioning. And that is because they can afford to take part. But of course they can do that as it is a free market world. If they're happy to drop out after first stage or third, that's their prerogative....Mmmm good points all round. I agree with you that Kate looks a lot better than Gita at this point in time. That said I am not sure whether Kate can keep holding Annika's wheel. So far so good but tomorrow is going to be a tough day as will Thursday. In fact each day from now on will probably get harder and harder with fatigue setting in. Kate did a lot of good training before getting here but I am not sure it'll hold in racing conditions. Gita will blow, it's case of when not if. As for the whole how hard is the Epic discussion thing I haven't paid it much mind but 2c's fwiw is this: any and all Epic's are tough. Each race will throw up a set of problems to each of the contestants and they need to manage it in order to finish, nevermind winning it. How each team deals with that will play a role in how they do and it wouldn't be unfair to say that each individual rider/racer will have their own take on things too, including how to cope with it. Fatigue plays a role especially later on and most probably it's a fair bit worse for the backmarkers. My armchair opinion, fwiw. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk
hboli4 Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 I think that Kate will be fine. They have a good team strategy going and Annika will keep on managing her. They seem to have a strategy where Kate rides her own tempo up front on the climbs with Annika leading the way down and they both share the work on the flats, at least this is what it looks like on the highlight packages.
Jaco-fiets Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 Annika and Kate will only build on that lead. Clearly in a different class to the other teams. I am very disappointed in De Groot and Spitz's performance so far. Was expecting them to be right up there in the mix. On the men's side, the marathon guys have today and tomorrow left to save face on Alban's statement that the marathon races will school the XC guys this year. I can only see Cannondale and Songo to build on whatever lead they have at the end of tomorrow
hboli4 Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 Annika and Kate will only build on that lead. Clearly in a different class to the other teams. I am very disappointed in De Groot and Spitz's performance so far. Was expecting them to be right up there in the mix. On the men's side, the marathon guys have today and tomorrow left to save face on Alban's statement that the marathon races will school the XC guys this year. I can only see Cannondale and Songo to build on whatever lead they have at the end of tomorrow I think someone (Gerald) said that Robyn suffered from an injury/illness in the weeks up to the event, Spitz apparently battling with cramp on the stage yesterday. Agree on Annika and Kate. Songo men off to a good start, 2 minute lead at the moment on the road.
Jaco-fiets Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 I think someone (Gerald) said that Robyn suffered from an injury/illness in the weeks up to the event, Spitz apparently battling with cramp on the stage yesterday. Agree on Annika and Kate. Songo men off to a good start, 2 minute lead at the moment on the road. If Grotts can hold on they will be in yellow tonight
Meezo Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 If Grotts can hold on they will be in yellow tonightReally!?
hboli4 Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 Virtual yellow now with Songo, they have a 4 minute gap.
Eldron Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 Riders I feel most sympathy for at the 2018 Epic:Githa Michiels - Ariane keeps gapping her and keep the pressure on 100%. She looked busted at the end yesterday.Howard Grotts - he is going to be shattered at the end of today...Kate Courtney - although she seems to be handling the workload better than Michiels! Kate posted some HUGE training numbers leading up to the Epic.Nino/Stirneman - it was over before it even got going...
The Bull Shark Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 When does live streaming start? It was supposed to start at 10, but so far nada.
LeoKnight Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 When does live streaming start? It was supposed to start at 10, but so far nada.The said on the website at 10:30 today. probably because of the longer route.
LeoKnight Posted March 21, 2018 Posted March 21, 2018 The said on the website at 10:30 today. probably because of the longer route.correction. just went live now
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