Absa Cape Epic 2021 thread

[splat]

3 minutes ago, duringd said:

Is it just me or is the tummy bug more prevalent or "visible" in the pro peloton this year than before? 

I would have thought that with all the Covid stuff (hand sanitisers etc.) that tummy bugs would be reduced

[J Wakefield]

6 minutes ago, duringd said:

Is it just me or is the tummy bug more prevalent or "visible" in the pro peloton this year than before? 

3years ago it spread through the village like wildfire. there were alot of people with severe diarrhoea. 

[samson99]

where would the pros pick up the tummy bug as they don't stay in the village and have their special bottles at the WPs?

[Eldron]

7 minutes ago, samson99 said:

where would the pros pick up the tummy bug as they don't stay in the village and have their special bottles at the WPs?

Exactly the same as covid - moral of the story at stage races - wash your hands often, don't get too close to too many people and DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE EVER!

Wet stages are also bad with mud, dung and the associated bacteria and parasites being sprayed all over the place.

Edited October 21, 2021 by Eldron

[J Wakefield]

47 minutes ago, samson99 said:

where would the pros pick up the tummy bug as they don't stay in the village and have their special bottles at the WPs?

when you go the start line and there 859 other people there. 

[Mamil]

Whenever this happens I just feel nauseous myself - imagine hoesing all that dough and then spending it in a portaloo with your intestines draped around your ankles

 

[MTBeer]

1 hour ago, Eldron said:

Exactly the same as covid - moral of the story at stage races - wash your hands often, don't get too close to too many people and DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE EVER!

Wet stages are also bad with mud, dung and the associated bacteria and parasites being sprayed all over the place.

best way to avoid tummy bugs in general is to live your life a bit 'dirty'. Don't stress too much about food that has expired (obviously not rotten food). Get some dirt on your hands - and in your mouth occasionally. etc etc

[Eldron]

8 minutes ago, MTBeer said:

best way to avoid tummy bugs in general is to live your life a bit 'dirty'. Don't stress too much about food that has expired (obviously not rotten food). Get some dirt on your hands - and in your mouth occasionally. etc etc

As a child while your immune system is forming yes - as an adult it makes very little difference.

[Eldron]

I'm super happy to be wrong about Beers and Sarrou fading.

Just under a 7 minute cushion to 2nd now.

Gooooo Matt Beers (and the other guy!).

[ChrisF]

Why was the finish changed from Wellington to Goudini ?  (jip, only watching small bits, and not getting the story)

[Jbr]

yoh the faces on the podium, you can tell they are digging deeeeeep

[AfterDark]

Unfortunate for Canyon, but it is the nature of the beast to survive all for a week.

I'm so stoked for Matt/Jordan having a great day out and stretching the lead over 2nd place. And our other SA teams also had a good day out moving up on the standings. Good to see our teams perform in our backyard.

[tinmug]

7 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

Why was the finish changed from Wellington to Goudini ?  (jip, only watching small bits, and not getting the story)

The pass to Wellington is closed for maintenance. 

[Eldron]

3 minutes ago, AfterDark said:

Unfortunate for Canyon, but it is the nature of the beast to survive all for a week.

I'm so stoked for Matt/Jordan having a great day out and stretching the lead over 2nd place. And our other SA teams also had a good day out moving up on the standings. Good to see our teams perform in our backyard.

Indeed. The fight for the African Leaders jersey is awesome - and they're both in the Top 10!

[Cookie88]

Is there any particular reason why the Woman's Race in the Epic has almost always been so dominated by a single team? Just seems like there is less competition to compete with the top team each year,

Edited October 21, 2021 by Cookie88

[Nick]

30 minutes ago, Cookie88 said:

Is there any particular reason why the Woman's Race in the Epic has almost always been so dominated by a single team? Just seems like there is less competition to compete with the top team each year,

Annika explained it in the commentary. Specialized seem to make it a priority and support and encourage top global riders to attend. Other teams haven't really done this consistently.

Often they're more interested in World Cups and CX and in pre-season preparation. The Epic is an expensive and tiring distraction if your bread and butter is European World Cups.

Teams that take it seriously on the men's side like Bulls, Cannnondale, Scott haven't always had the same female athletes to offer.