the unofficial Cape Epic thread

[mecheng89]

37 minutes ago, babse said:

The multiple USA xco champ and "king of gravel" is suffering...

 

Shafted another minute plus today. Beers looks pretty dejected not being right up there.

Maybe King of US gravel. I don't see rainbow stripes on him LOL.

[dev null]

2 minutes ago, mecheng89 said:

I've been told he only arrived in the country 3 days ago. I don't think that's ideal prep.

Let's hope they can re-strategize, re-group and attack from tomorrow onwards.

Probably still have tire tracks on his back...

[J Wakefield]

34 minutes ago, mecheng89 said:

I've been told he only arrived in the country 3 days ago. I don't think that's ideal prep.

Let's hope they can re-strategize, re-group and attack from tomorrow onwards.

I would not bet your house on that information being accurate or anything valuable as a reference. 

[Shebeen]

30 minutes ago, mecheng89 said:

I've been told he only arrived in the country 3 days ago. I don't think that's ideal prep.

Let's hope they can re-strategize, re-group and attack from tomorrow onwards.

um ja. he did a (shortened) 100miler in Texas last weekend, doubt that was part of the original conversation when they teamed up. the guy has a big engine, he could still come right.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DG-8Q5dOPtS/?img_index=6

Wonder how much of his kit is compatible with the spez backup team (which is imbuko or insect science?).

 

 

9 minutes to nino is ok since he will either blow his partner or have 20 punctures on a stage soon.

https://rushsports.co.za/blogs/news/tech-keegan-swenson-dropping-bars-and-lifting-trophies

 

 

[Jbr]

Valley of tears ended up being a very short race (to his standards) because they ended the race 1 loop short due to mud/snow.

BUT, the couch expert in me can't help but think he should've been here weeks in advance training with Matt like other teams did. I must say I thought this epic would be over after stage 1 because Matt and Keegan seemed like the dream team. Now it will be interesting as they look like underdogs, with 9 minutes to find, is it even possible ?

Colombo seems like a good match for Nino, if their Aspens don't puncture multiple times it will be difficult to find that kind of time on them. Let's see !

[Shebeen]

1 minute ago, Jbr said:

Valley of tears ended up being a very short race (to his standards) because they ended the race 1 loop short due to mud/snow.

I saw that. but racing in mud/snow doesn't seem like ideal prep for the boland. most of the euro guys have been here for weeks (right?). Saying that, and obviously the level of competition is not the same, but Sofia did the same race and seems to be doing just fine in the leaders jersey.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DG9maL8OwgH/?img_index=1

 

 

1 minute ago, Jbr said:

BUT, the couch expert in me can't help but think he should've been here weeks in advance training with Matt like other teams did. I must say I thought this epic would be over after stage 1 because Matt and Keegan seemed like the dream team. Now it will be interesting as they look like underdogs, with 9 minutes to find, is it even possible ?

Colombo seems like a good match for Nino, if their Aspens don't puncture multiple times it will be difficult to find that kind of time on them. Let's see !

Agreed. I'm also expecting speed company to do speed company things soon which could blow the front pack up and create some chaos.

 

 

[babse]

31 minutes ago, Jbr said:

Valley of tears ended up being a very short race (to his standards) because they ended the race 1 loop short due to mud/snow.

BUT, the couch expert in me can't help but think he should've been here weeks in advance training with Matt like other teams did. I must say I thought this epic would be over after stage 1 because Matt and Keegan seemed like the dream team. Now it will be interesting as they look like underdogs, with 9 minutes to find, is it even possible ?

Colombo seems like a good match for Nino, if their Aspens don't puncture multiple times it will be difficult to find that kind of time on them. Let's see !

Most feared this was the case... for Beers sake i really hope KS comes good.

 

As for Colombo and the reinforced Aspens, both seem rock solid for now so lets see how the go over the race...

[Bub Marley]

1 hour ago, Jbr said:

Valley of tears ended up being a very short race (to his standards) because they ended the race 1 loop short due to mud/snow.

BUT, the couch expert in me can't help but think he should've been here weeks in advance training with Matt like other teams did. I must say I thought this epic would be over after stage 1 because Matt and Keegan seemed like the dream team. Now it will be interesting as they look like underdogs, with 9 minutes to find, is it even possible ?

Colombo seems like a good match for Nino, if their Aspens don't puncture multiple times it will be difficult to find that kind of time on them. Let's see !

9 mins will be nigh on impossible to claw back just on being stronger than the rest. They gonna need some luck as well and hope one of the front runners suffer some sort of mechanical.

 

Tomorrow it’s close to 40 in Paarl. The elite guys will most likely miss the brunt of the heat as they should be done before so I don’t think the heat is the factor here. I think he’s probably just underestimated the race or the competition couple with the fact that he hasn’t really acclimatised. Or he’s not well at all.

[Bub Marley]

In saying this though, I have watched this guy perform at the Lifetime Grand Prix and against Matt as well and he’s absolutely dominated everyone there. So if there is any team than can pull something out of the hat, its these 2. But they will need to do it from tomorrow. Otherwise it’s done. 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Okay, I'll take the bait... Come now fellas, this race hasn't even started yet, things only get really greasy from Day 4, let's not start making ridiculous assumptions just yet. There's still plenty pawpaw left to hit the fan before Sunday... and some rain on the way from Friday as well. Ohhhh... I can't wait 😄

[mrcg]

Spent a few hours out there with the boys and girl too, having ridden from Blouberg to D'Ville and over to Airfield and then back home. By 11am it was a cool decent 32C, by noon it hit 38C. And that wasn't near Paarl. Feeling sorry for those backmarkers, as the temperature increases every 10km toward Paarl. So tomorrow and Thursday, the heat will also be a factor for the pros, as the temps will be around 40, if not slightly above, while they are finishing off their rides. Wouldn't be surprised if a stage gets shortened. And then there's possibly some rain on the weekend. Lots of interesting racing to come. Let's go N1no and Colombo! 

[ChrisF]

Would love to see Speed Company shake the tree a bit with their flat out approach ....

[PhilipV]

A lot of racing still to come. Stage 6 is designed to shake up the pro field. That climb up to the Neck above Lourensford is an adventure. 
 

[Vaultboy]

3 hours ago, Shebeen said:

I saw that. but racing in mud/snow doesn't seem like ideal prep for the boland. most of the euro guys have been here for weeks (right?).

I don't think that his ride last week, or the acclimatisation matters. He lives in Arizona, so used to this heat. Plus he was doing mega rides in Argentina just a few weeks ago. I reckon he's either unwell, or its jetlag. Whatever, he didn't do that well in his previous two Epic outings that I can recall, despite smashing the Lifetime GP in the same years, although I think one year it was Lachlan Morton that was the weak link. 🤷‍♂️ 

[Lynskey]

Epic have definitely gone all out with their route this year. Looks like a few days of riding in the northern suburbs. The only thing that is going down is the distance you need to drive home every night.

[Shebeen]

2 hours ago, Bub Marley said:

9 mins will be nigh on impossible to claw back just on being stronger than the rest. They gonna need some luck as well and hope one of the front runners suffer some sort of mechanical.

Death, taxes and Nino having tyre issues at the Epic.

 

Last year the winning margin back to scott sram was 11mins, and that was riding conservatively.

This is not over, and if nothing else Matt Beers looks super fit (at least in the finish interview after hauling ass for 60km).