the unofficial Cape Epic thread

[Thomo]

2 hours ago, Ant1234 said:

That descent looks scary AF.....

Spectacular.!! 🪂

[DieselnDust]

Again, not sure why there’s this idea that Grotts isn’t up to the required level. He’s not holding Matt back…

[J Wakefield]

23 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

Again, not sure why there’s this idea that Grotts isn’t up to the required level. He’s not holding Matt back…

I wouldn’t go that far mate 

[DieselnDust]

12 minutes ago, J Wakefield said:

I wouldn’t go that far mate 

Hence the “…”😂

he’s not Chris but he’s competent enough 

[DieselnDust]

Anyway, onto the stage analysis, what we saw of it anyway.

Buff lacked Puff today. Too much climbing for them? To hot, too many days at high intensity in the heat?

Speed Company definitely lacked the smack follow through today. They’re still within 10min of yellow but I reckon Johns going to get oaid in another ciovita yellow jersey.

the ladies race looks to be a Ghost affair. They’re riding a very smart race going just fast enough to discourage any attacks but with enough reserve to kick at the end. Can’t see them getting beat baring a major issue. The Toyota ladies have found their feet and got a mojo working so let’s hope for stage win for them at least. 4th place is nearly an hour behind!

 

as we head into the last three days , my mind wonders to where in the world is Amy Wakefield? After a barnstorming ride last year, she’s all but disappeared. She delivered one of the best legends of the entire cape epic history

[Rockid]

43 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

Anyway, onto the stage analysis, what we saw of it anyway.

Buff lacked Puff today. Too much climbing for them? To hot, too many days at high intensity in the heat?

Speed Company definitely lacked the smack follow through today. They’re still within 10min of yellow but I reckon Johns going to get oaid in another ciovita yellow jersey.

the ladies race looks to be a Ghost affair. They’re riding a very smart race going just fast enough to discourage any attacks but with enough reserve to kick at the end. Can’t see them getting beat baring a major issue. The Toyota ladies have found their feet and got a mojo working so let’s hope for stage win for them at least. 4th place is nearly an hour behind!

 

as we head into the last three days , my mind wonders to where in the world is Amy Wakefield? After a barnstorming ride last year, she’s all but disappeared. She delivered one of the best legends of the entire cape epic history

A rider disappearing from the scene after such a big breakthrough performance. Strange indeed 👀

[OVERDRIVE]

Sorry am not live, am behind a little, so live in my world. 

This years race is FIRE and truly enjoying myself. Don't even care that the picture goes at times 

[OVERDRIVE]

To have the legs to sprint it out after that climb means i need to find another sport. 

I am not worthy. 

[OVERDRIVE]

4 hours ago, J Wakefield said:

Do you know who Howard Grotts is?

Think not a lot looked him up. 

2 hours ago, Wannabe said:

Seemingly not....

Shall we inform him that Grotts is a former Epic winner from 2018, when the real hard men and true legends raced? 

(not dissing the current crop of riders, they are obviously the cream of the current crop)

 

Tell em!

 

[W@nted]

22 minutes ago, Rockid said:

A rider disappearing from the scene after such a big breakthrough performance. Strange indeed 👀

Nothing updated on her athlete facebook page/strava since last year august. 

[nathrix]

1 hour ago, DieselnDust said:

... my mind wonders to where in the world is Amy Wakefield? After a barnstorming ride last year, she’s all but disappeared. She delivered one of the best legends of the entire cape epic history

From her facebook:

...taking some time off to look after my mind and heal my body after a taxing few months

Sadly it meant scratching world champs off the calendar which has been very difficult but sometimes you need to be realistic and most importantly kind to yourself.

Thanks @symbtech_efort @freewheelcycology and coach @reecemcd1 for your support and understanding!

@freewheelcycology

@symbtech_efort

@perigonproperty

@rh77cycling

@specializedza

@vo2_sh

@uswesports

@capecyclesystems

She's basicall been off the scene since her brand new Specialized S-Works Epic (was not even a month old) got stolen in June last year on a Friday night in the quaint Belgium village of La Roche-en-Ardenne mid-race. It was one of 2 bikes that got stolen. Bloody thugs   That could have been the tipping point.

Edited March 21, 2024 by nathrix

[Jewbacca]

49 minutes ago, Rockid said:

A rider disappearing from the scene after such a big breakthrough performance. Strange indeed 👀

Amy has been racing for a helluva long time. Like 15 years ish. 

She is in her mid 30s (I'd guess 34/35), has 2 x SS world champs to her name and certainly didn't breakthrough into the scene last year.

Absolutely no shade or side eyes to throw on this one

[J Wakefield]

Going into the next 3 days if we just take the top 2 mens teams I believe it will come down to who of the 2 weaker partners is the strongest weaker partner and how the stronger partner manages their respective partner.

Looking at it, Matt and Nino are in the driving seat and it's for Nino to get rid of Matt & Howie while managing Fini.

In the ladies race baring illness or mechanical I cant see Ghost losing this. They created a gap and now are managing it very well. today they responded to and neutralised any attacks. They seem to have the power to dictate alittle. 

However, its 2min to 2nd, as we saw today in the mens race, that means little when it comes to Epic in a single stage and can be eliminated very quick.

I am for one looking forward to the racing ahead in both categories. 

 

[love2fly]

7 hours ago, tinmug said:

Likely not critting Grotts per sé, but the (limited) choice of partner. Beers is clearly far stronger than his partner ... but then it seems Spez must ride with another Spez (which is of course a tad limiting).

Question:
What happens when the leaders pull in? Presumably the humans (after interviews etc) get massages etc, but would would typically happen to the bikes on a daily basis? Clean obviously, but what sort of maintenance? Then what prep for the rider for the next day?

And while I am holding the microphone, I would like to have an auto-mute button for Mr Know-it-all-ramble-off-the-statistics-ad-nauseum-and-always-manages-to-somehow-extend-a-simply-three-word-sentence-to-five-minutes-of-stating-and-restating-the-blindingly-obvious. Apart from that minor annoyance (pro tip: sit a few minutes behind the live feed and you can skip those bits 😆) I find the YT feed pretty good, considering the vast logistical constraints. Bart is a great addition and Spitz knows her stuff (with her highly entertaining German translations). Good stuff, appreciated the audio (99.7 % of it) and the visuals (when we actually have visuals). Uhm ... have a C172 fly circuits overhead providing signal?

If you're referring to the more verbose of the 3 commentators I couldn't agree more. Just rehashes things with big words. I also wish Gerald wouldn't wax so lyrical but I guess that's his stock in trade ...

[love2fly]

3 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

Again, not sure why there’s this idea that Grotts isn’t up to the required level. He’s not holding Matt back…

Young Howard at today's post race interview looked like he'd gotten the fright of his life...maybe he saw some of his ancestors ...I don't think he's weak, I just think Matt is in the condition of his life.

[babse]

6 minutes ago, love2fly said:

Young Howard at today's post race interview looked like he'd gotten the fright of his life...maybe he saw some of his ancestors ...I don't think he's weak, I just think Matt is in the condition of his life.

Matts comment in that interview "not taking risks trying to hold Nino wheel on the descend knowing that I could easily pull them back on the flat", was absolutely boss! 😎