Absa Cape Epic 2018

[awesme]

Invites only, no signup, signup closed...

 

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cyclingtorrents

[LeoKnight]

Invites only, no signup, signup closed...

 

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The highlights (11min) is on youtube now

[awesme]

Ye, I'm looking for the longer 25min package.

 

Thats a special short version for Youtube.

 

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The highlights (11min) is on youtube now

[CogitoErgoSum]

Ooh. So basically 111km of sandy, rocky hell. Watch for a few retirees because of falls or broken bikes, or just plain broken spirit because of all the sand. At the end of the day they will feel like they had done 200km on their MTBs.

 

I predict more time lost by some teams because of sidewall cuts. This stage is all about looking after your bike and your body.

So no worries then for everyone seeing that it is the easiest Epic ever according to Dave here....

 

(I am being sarcastic. ALL these riders are on another level)

 

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[FDP]

So since the mens race is still wide open, today might be pivotal being the last “long” day (more time out, more chance of gaining overall time).

 

Is it just me or is Fumic/Avancini one of the few top teams with both partners performing at the same level? Most of the other teams are somehow mismatched in terms of shape, skill, health, etc.

[Gen]

https://twitter.com/songoinfo/status/976687396065603584?s=19

 

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[ichnusa]

I see Michiels is out - has a fever.  Maybe Ariane broke her!

[ichnusa]

snap

[BaGearA]

So since the mens race is still wide open, today might be pivotal being the last “long” day (more time out, more chance of gaining overall time).

 

Is it just me or is Fumic/Avancini one of the few top teams with both partners performing at the same level? Most of the other teams are somehow mismatched in terms of shape, skill, health, etc.

I think centurion are also pretty evenly matched ....and yesterday would suggest that ergon are aswell but they've taken their time to warm up 

[awesme]

You can see Ariane is about to burst into tears, so sad.

 

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I see Michiels is out - has a fever.  Maybe Ariane broke her!

[Eldron]

I see Michiels is out - has a fever. Maybe Ariane broke her!

Not maybe... The past two stages she has finished in pieces. That's gotta take a toll on the immune system.

 

Ariane put a lot of pressure on - kept gapping her and forcing her to push harder to catch up. I don't think she understood the "partner mamagement" script.

[Mntboy]

https://twitter.com/songoinfo/status/976687396065603584?s=19

 

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While it is very very sad to see someone leave because of health, this is what some of us were expecting to a degree. Definitely not this though. Hope Gita gets well soon.

 

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[Accelerate]

I really liked Ariane, but over the last few days I kind of lost a bit of respect for her - I do not think she is a good team player. She is obviously the better rider between in the team, but I could not once see that she is looking after her partner - unlike Annika that pushes very hard, but always give a wheel (or hand)....remember two years back how she pushed Ariane?

Another thing - from the live feeds the last two days - I did not once see that she helped in the batches, not when they rode with Mariska or with Robyn.

[Mntboy]

Not maybe... The past two stages she has finished in pieces. That's gotta take a toll on the immune system.

 

Ariane put a lot of pressure on - kept gapping her and forcing her to push harder to catch up. I don't think she understood the "partner mamagement" script.

I quite agree. Ariane certianly wasn't managing the racing with a new partner very well. Especially one who was not only new to the Epic but quite possibly doing her first big race for the year which just happens to be a demanding stage race.

 

Contrast that to how Annika has managed Kate and her efforts. Kate, like Gita, is new to the race not that you'll notice it from either the results or how good she looks at the end of a stage. One thing doing big numbers in training and another to do them in racing. Annika has helped her adjust well. Barring a big bad mechanical I can not see how Team Sparkle Watts is going to lose this.

 

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[Gen]

I quite agree. Ariane certianly wasn't managing the racing with a new partner very well. Especially one who was not only new to the Epic but quite possibly doing her first big race for the year which just happens to be a demanding stage race.

 

Contrast that to how Annika has managed Kate and her efforts. Kate, like Gita, is new to the race not that you'll notice it from either the results or how good she looks at the end of a stage. One thing doing big numbers in training and another to do them in racing. Annika has helped her adjust well. Barring a big bad mechanical I can not see how Team Sparkle Watts is going to lose this.

 

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How many times in the past have we not seen her hold on to partners pockets..the years riding with Erik in the mixed cat as well as with Annika.. and see her partners nursing her through difficult times..added we don't see all the coverage so it is possible that we don't see her helping..but I agree with you guys..doesn't seem as if she is the best partner to have in times of crisis.

 

 

 

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[Mntboy]

I think centurion are also pretty evenly matched ....and yesterday would suggest that ergon are aswell but they've taken their time to warm up

And by Ergon I take you mean Canyon Topeak? They are my pick to take today's stage. Lakata and Hynek are strong team.

 

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