Absa Cape Epic 2018

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

We have the talent, but no sponsors and they just disappear.  You'll probably have to compete in Europe on a regular basis to get close and the young guys don't have those opportunities. James Reid was what Alan Hatherly is now, winning XC and Marathon and he is not even racing anymore.  I think one of the main reason by Burry set such a amazing example, apart from being super talented, was that he had the backing of Specialized.  With that came the international opportunities and the mentorship from someone like a Christof Sauser.  Just look at Grotts, he's not the best MTB'er in the world, but yet he is leading the Epic purely because of Kulhavy, being his partner, and Sauser giving advice in the background.

 

Think there's so much more to South Africans not performing than just saying, we're not as good as the other guys.

you make good points

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

 

 

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holy feck

[Gen]

We have the talent, but no sponsors and they just disappear. You'll probably have to compete in Europe on a regular basis to get close and the young guys don't have those opportunities. James Reid was what Alan Hatherly is now, winning XC and Marathon and he is not even racing anymore. I think one of the main reason by Burry set such a amazing example, apart from being super talented, was that he had the backing of Specialized. With that came the international opportunities and the mentorship from someone like a Christof Sauser. Just look at Grotts, he's not the best MTB'er in the world, but yet he is leading the Epic purely because of Kulhavy, being his partner, and Sauser giving advice in the background.

 

Think there's so much more to South Africans not performing than just saying, we're not as good as the other guys.

Burry wasn't always backed by Spez..he went over to Europe and did it the same way most do..work damn hard and made lots of sacrifices to be able to race and live in Europe before big sponsors came knocking.

 

If you want to make it as a cyclist (any discipline) get out of SA.. If you aren't willing to sacrifice over in Europe and go make opportunities for yourself you will not make it then frankly you don't deserve it.

 

 

 

 

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[Long Wheel Base]

 

 

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Bliksem. Was that today? Would be interested to see some of the other guys power outputs. But that max is massive. Wonder how long it was for though?

[scuzzy]

Burry wasn't always backed by Spez..he went over to Europe and did it the same way most do..work damn hard and made lots of sacrifices to be able to race and live in Europe before big sponsors came knocking.

 

 

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Agreed, and we have guys doing that, but after a year or two they still do not get the big guns signing them to keep living the dream.

[Gen]

Agreed, and we have guys doing that, but after a year or two they still do not get the big guns signing them to keep living the dream.

Then perhaps they just aren't good enough..I know its harsh to say that, but that is the reality of it.

 

They seem to think if they enter big xco races in Europe they'll get seen..sorry no-one is going to see a rider that gets pulled off the course because they are getting lapped..but someone may see you if you start getting consistent results in the smaller xco races in Europe..and yes there are plenty of them.

 

 

 

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[Odinson]

 

 

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Bloody hell! And okes want to complain about 250W e-bike riders. 

[Escapee..]

Yes he’s a big unit

So we gotta game into account p/w

 

And with variable terrain

Deep into a stage race

And overall concentrated effort

 

That’ll warm me up

 

He is around 75kg I think?

[mrcg]

The best way to explain this is the example of soccer/football - we have very talented players (as does any other country), but also have the numbers - but how many are making it?

Too few. This is down to many factors: attitude, environment, training (approach, planning, vision etc.), travel opportunity...and much much more.

Talent is just not enough - bottom line.

 

Quick quesi on live streaming: been trying to catch up on action today and the live streaming only shows the finish line. No action and commentary from this morning as in the past few days??

What's up with that? Where can I watch today's live broadcast? HELP 

 

No worries....found it!!   

[Escapee..]

Bliksem. Was that today? Would be interested to see some of the other guys power outputs. But that max is massive. Wonder how long it was for though?

 

Yip was today

 

Posted on his instagram account

[Shebeen]

had a quick look at the results on Cape Epic website,goes back to 2006, wonder why they don't care about the first 3 editions!

 

just normalised for SA riders (so mannie heymans is in the mix too i guess)

 

 

orange is saffa with overseas rider, red is 2 saffas.

As you can see, the only time we really did well was during the 2008=>2012 era where burry/ evans&george were in the mix. A lot of the time, our good riders have been riding backup for overseas teams - it would be interesting to see what someone like Erik Kleinhans could do if he had actually gone for it, he has always been backup/riding mixed.

 

 

This will be the first time we have no one in the Top10 however.

 

 

 

[Gen]

had a quick look at the results on Cape Epic website,goes back to 2006, wonder why they don't care about the first 3 editions!

 

just normalised for SA riders (so mannie heymans is in the mix too i guess)

 

 

epicSaffas.png

orange is saffa with overseas rider, red is 2 saffas.

As you can see, the only time we really did well was during the 2008=>2012 era where burry/ evans&george were in the mix. A lot of the time, our good riders have been riding backup for overseas teams - it would be interesting to see what someone like Erik Kleinhans could do if he had actually gone for it, he has always been backup/riding mixed.

 

 

This will be the first time we have no one in the Top10 however.

You can scrap that Evans-George result...[emoji6]

 

I can't actually remember when in 2012 George was popped. (Think it was later that year).but scrap it in any case[emoji6][emoji6]????

 

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[Gen]

The best way to explain this is the example of soccer/football - we have very talented players (as does any other country), but also have the numbers - but how many are making it?

Too few. This is down to many factors: attitude, environment, training (approach, planning, vision etc.), travel opportunity...and much much more.

Talent is just not enough - bottom line.

 

Quick quesi on live streaming: been trying to catch up on action today and the live streaming only shows the finish line. No action and commentary from this morning as in the past few days??

What's up with that? Where can I watch today's live broadcast? HELP

 

No worries....found it!!

Football also seem to have unlimited funding and sponsorship

..so i don't know what their issue is[emoji6]

 

Maybe if our local football players earned less they would work harder to snap up a really good overseas contract.. but they are content playing in the PSL...and they are heroes here ( for their supporters) ..why would they want to be nobody on another team bench[emoji6]

 

I'll stop being mean..but to make it as a footballer you have to be something very special..millions of hopefuls out there playing footy all over the world.

 

 

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[Pure Savage]

 

 

Screenshot_20180322-142534.jpgcalled a watty

Do like how they are called a watty

[ABrooks]

Do like how they are called a watty

Watty sounds much less serious than Watts.

[dev null]

Quite hot out there today. I feel for the riders that have to do 9 hours in this heat and wind on that dusty, rocky trails today.