the unofficial Cape Epic thread

[JohanDiv]

Few drops starting to fall in town now.. feels like the heat is breaking

 

Edit: false alarm, still hot and humid

Edited March 20, 2025 by JohanDiv

[Jbr]

1 hour ago, babse said:

@Jbr watching Nino's interview, keeps me inspired 👩‍🦲

Me too man, me too 😜

[Spafsack]

Just read Sofia and Keegan are married, never knew that. Thought I would share for what it's worth

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, dev null said:

I see Speed Company is not so speedy anymore. And Beers & partner is bleeding time. I think his Epic podium has long took flight.

Really impressed by the SA youngsters. All those Spur school races of years back starting to realise results. Pity it went tits up.

 

SPUR withdrew as main sponsor.

 

But the SERIES is still very much alive and well, run by CSA-Schools.

[Randolph]

1 hour ago, love2fly said:

I hear you but onCrsig Koleskys YT video he was clearly frustrated and he's no racing snake ... 

where do I get Craigs videos? I looked at his channel and did not see new content 

[matthew de haast]

Just now, Randolph said:

where do I get Craigs videos? I looked at his channel and did not see new content 

Craig isn’t riding this year. He is currently working on a project in Namibia 

[love2fly]

13 minutes ago, Randolph said:

where do I get Craigs videos? I looked at his channel and did not see new content 

Ja I see no new content. That's a pity. However, I'm not sure why but sometimes his videos are short compared to the stage and he doesn't show the suffering on the big climbs. Maybe not allowed to....Check out Jasper Verkuil channel for last year, longer and more focused. He's got a young recently born child so he's not here this year. Jasper has an amazing channel, hope he gets started again when their summer arrived.

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

https://www.treadmtb.co.za/absa-cape-epic-issues-statement-on-stage-3-safety-measures/

 

If there were fatalities they’re sure keeping them under wraps. 

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

Have they ever done a Race and Review (TB style)? Like keep the Race for UCI, Elites and highly seeded ammies, and then do a Review for Joe Public? 

[MORNE]

7 minutes ago, RobynE said:

https://www.treadmtb.co.za/absa-cape-epic-issues-statement-on-stage-3-safety-measures/

 

If there were fatalities they’re sure keeping them under wraps. 

Yea that wording was chosen very carefully. ‘During the race’ is key imo. i trust what @DieselnDust has posted more than anything in that media briefing

[saturdayknight]

6 minutes ago, RobynE said:

https://www.treadmtb.co.za/absa-cape-epic-issues-statement-on-stage-3-safety-measures/

 

If there were fatalities they’re sure keeping them under wraps. 

that's just spin - read : "receiving instructions from the lawyers in New York City to limit liability". The communication strategy to limit outrage is : 1. communicate early, 2. communicate honestly, 3. have the news delivered by an expert or trusted person. I dont think Epic have followed any of these. Lets hear a statement or interview with the chief medical officer for the race not some marketing wonk. And there are multiple reports of not enough water - at the race village and on route. Has anyone of the riders died in the last 24 hours - not on route or anywhere else - just died for any reason at any place within the last 24 hours?

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

Yeah what I mean is, that they’re somehow managing to keep everyone schtum on saying anything. 

[Andrew_Smith]

Apologies if this has been discussed before, but I feel the Cape Epic attracts some riders with more money than experience—since it’s such an expensive race for us mere peasants. Some assume that a bit of riding is enough to prepare them for the challenge.

Surely, there could be a qualification system, similar to the Comrades Marathon, where participants need to meet certain criteria before entering. Of course, this wouldn’t be a perfect solution, and the organisers might not support it since they’d risk losing paying participants.

Anyway, great riding from Tristan and Marco, proudly representing South Africa among the big international names!

[waveduke]

15 minutes ago, Andrew_Smith said:

Apologies if this has been discussed before, but I feel the Cape Epic attracts some riders with more money than experience—since it’s such an expensive race for us mere peasants. Some assume that a bit of riding is enough to prepare them for the challenge.

Surely, there could be a qualification system, similar to the Comrades Marathon, where participants need to meet certain criteria before entering. Of course, this wouldn’t be a perfect solution, and the organisers might not support it since they’d risk losing paying participants.

Anyway, great riding from Tristan and Marco, proudly representing South Africa among the big international names!

In international trail running you have a point system. E.g. if you want to enter UTMB you will require a certain amount of points that you only get by finishing other long distance events in a specific time.

This could probably be implemented in MTB too but would bring down the entry numbers most likely.

Edited March 20, 2025 by waveduke
typo

[babse]

how does IRONMAN bank their millions within minutes of entries going open if there is a qualifying criteria???

[peetwindhoek]

It could actually enhance the credibility and prestige of the event if participants had to meet certain physical requirements to prove their capability - rather than just signing up, as some have mentioned is the case with other tough races that have criteria beyond just a big wallet.