Shebeen Posted March 3 Posted March 3 2 hours ago, Sid the Sloth said: If anyone wants a list minute partner, I’m here 🤣 got a mate and R150k lying around, here's your plan B! https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/event-entries/891778/absa-cape-epic-entry-avis-upgrade-for-sell?return_to=L2NsYXNzaWZpZWRzL2MvZW50cmllcy1hbmQtc2VydmljZXM (pretty sure the charity one at R120k but without the upgrades is long gone) Don't have that much bucks, but wanna buy this champ and his buddy some shirts in exchange for "worldwide expoure"? https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/other-services/889280/opportunity-for-sponsorship-at-2026-epic?return_to=L2NsYXNzaWZpZWRzL2MvZW50cmllcy1hbmQtc2VydmljZXM_cGFnZT0y hansolo, Sid the Sloth, BigDL and 1 other 4
Sid the Sloth Posted March 4 Posted March 4 14 hours ago, Shebeen said: got a mate and R150k lying around, here's your plan B! https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/event-entries/891778/absa-cape-epic-entry-avis-upgrade-for-sell?return_to=L2NsYXNzaWZpZWRzL2MvZW50cmllcy1hbmQtc2VydmljZXM (pretty sure the charity one at R120k but without the upgrades is long gone) Don't have that much bucks, but wanna buy this champ and his buddy some shirts in exchange for "worldwide expoure"? https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/other-services/889280/opportunity-for-sponsorship-at-2026-epic?return_to=L2NsYXNzaWZpZWRzL2MvZW50cmllcy1hbmQtc2VydmljZXM_cGFnZT0y If you need a size large shirt you probably aren’t going to be getting much exposure (except there can be more branding on the shirts) peetwindhoek 1
Mamil Posted March 4 Posted March 4 Anyone know the age of the oldest entrant in the epic this year? Stats on average age and age distribution in non-elite field?
Danger Dassie Posted March 4 Posted March 4 On 3/3/2026 at 9:42 AM, Pandatron said: Calm down there bud, I was just clarifying the situation Cheers, I actually published that on Tread originally and it does provide a little more context in terms of the substance/s found. It was just something extra we would do, instead of rabbiting the press release verbatim. Glad to see these are still up, important for timeline imho. Tyrone White's appeal was upheld as the medical staff at the event actually did give him the wrong medication. As per the hearing documentation - https://drugfreesport.org.za/cases/?athlete_name=Tyrone+White&athlete_sport=mountain-bike As a general reference, not everything is updated online with SAIDS, however they're generally helpful and approachable. If one really wants, they can email them and they'll check and update accordingly. They did this with White's appeal case sometime back when I enquired to his appeal, which didn't reflect on the site at the time. SAIDS updated it within 24hr of contact. Regarding Cape Epic's 'lifetime ban' from what I understand is that it still applies, however it is at the event's discretion. Obviously zero tolerance would apply to current sanctions. Imho a blanket lifetime ban doesn't actually serve anything proactive.
Danger Dassie Posted March 4 Posted March 4 5 minutes ago, Mamil said: Anyone know the age of the oldest entrant in the epic this year? Stats on average age and age distribution in non-elite field? Could be wrong, but I believe 70 odd, male and female 60. Still waiting for feedback. Mamil 1
Pandatron Posted March 4 Posted March 4 9 minutes ago, Danger Dassie said: Cheers, I actually published that on Tread originally and it does provide a little more context in terms of the substance/s found. It was just something extra we would do, instead of rabbiting the press release verbatim. Glad to see these are still up, important for timeline imho. Tyrone White's appeal was upheld as the medical staff at the event actually did give him the wrong medication. As per the hearing documentation - https://drugfreesport.org.za/cases/?athlete_name=Tyrone+White&athlete_sport=mountain-bike As a general reference, not everything is updated online with SAIDS, however they're generally helpful and approachable. If one really wants, they can email them and they'll check and update accordingly. They did this with White's appeal case sometime back when I enquired to his appeal, which didn't reflect on the site at the time. SAIDS updated it within 24hr of contact. Regarding Cape Epic's 'lifetime ban' from what I understand is that it still applies, however it is at the event's discretion. Obviously zero tolerance would apply to current sanctions. Imho a blanket lifetime ban doesn't actually serve anything proactive. Read the case file, seems like a tough one, interesting that they actually lowered the time to Six Months. DieselnDust 1
Danger Dassie Posted March 4 Posted March 4 17 minutes ago, Pandatron said: Read the case file, seems like a tough one, interesting that they actually lowered the time to Six Months. Yip, and the guy got tarred and feathered for it. The event and administrative bodies just quietly shifted it away. Partly why I'm personally not a believer in the blanket ban vibe. Doesn't do anything other than satisfy a court of public opinion. Skubarra and DieselnDust 1 1
Martin Albrecht Posted March 4 Posted March 4 23 hours ago, Shebeen said: So probably the most notorious Cape Epic doping scandal involved someone who they pretty much wrote that rule about. but it was retrospective so he's been back pretty much every year since he was in the green again (and running a half decent bike shop too). All things considering, the choice of team name this year is slightly provocative in this regard. (and know I'm not putting his actual name since I don't really have time for Emma letters, IFYKYK) The rider you are afraid to name for fear of Emma letters is easily one of the most decent people in the sport. he made his mistakes, he owned up, he served the ban and he has held his head high since like a proper gentleman. Maybe just maybe it’s time to let this go. The lifetime ban, if it’s still in place doesn’t apply to him anyway. So just leave him be. DieselnDust 1
babse Posted March 4 Posted March 4 2 hours ago, Danger Dassie said: Cheers, I actually published that on Tread originally and it does provide a little more context in terms of the substance/s found. It was just something extra we would do, instead of rabbiting the press release verbatim. Glad to see these are still up, important for timeline imho. Tyrone White's appeal was upheld as the medical staff at the event actually did give him the wrong medication. As per the hearing documentation - https://drugfreesport.org.za/cases/?athlete_name=Tyrone+White&athlete_sport=mountain-bike As a general reference, not everything is updated online with SAIDS, however they're generally helpful and approachable. If one really wants, they can email them and they'll check and update accordingly. They did this with White's appeal case sometime back when I enquired to his appeal, which didn't reflect on the site at the time. SAIDS updated it within 24hr of contact. Regarding Cape Epic's 'lifetime ban' from what I understand is that it still applies, however it is at the event's discretion. Obviously zero tolerance would apply to current sanctions. Imho a blanket lifetime ban doesn't actually serve anything proactive. Agreed. No harm in retracting the Lifetime ban. Currently it's as grey as some of the participants... Martin Albrecht, Danger Dassie and BuffsVintageBikes 2 1
DieselnDust Posted March 4 Posted March 4 (edited) 3 hours ago, Pandatron said: Read the case file, seems like a tough one, interesting that they actually lowered the time to Six Months. Doping authorities can be reasonable if the cases do not set a bad precedent. Every job carries a large degree of nuances and politics 3 hours ago, Danger Dassie said: Yip, and the guy got tarred and feathered for it. The event and administrative bodies just quietly shifted it away. Partly why I'm personally not a believer in the blanket ban vibe. Doesn't do anything other than satisfy a court of public opinion. Totally aligned. People make mistakes even those administering the rules. 53 minutes ago, Martin Albrecht said: The rider you are afraid to name for fear of Emma letters is easily one of the most decent people in the sport. he made his mistakes, he owned up, he served the ban and he has held his head high since like a proper gentleman. Maybe just maybe it’s time to let this go. The lifetime ban, if it’s still in place doesn’t apply to him anyway. So just leave him be. Agreed. Infact two of those chaps are actually flippen lekker okes who I raced against in my younger days. They were faced with two pathways, one of which was give up competitive cycling because doping was rife or be part of it. The rest is history. Did they stop being flippen lekker okes? No. just made a bad decision that snowballed. 49 minutes ago, babse said: Agreed. No harm in retracting the Lifetime ban. Currently it's as grey as some of the participants... well I mean , the amount of rugby players alone should be more than enough motivation to retract the life time bans . Those okes didn't grow up on raw eggs and genetics alone.... Edited March 4 by DieselnDust amac 1
BuffsVintageBikes Posted March 4 Posted March 4 Sounds like the opening line to a song of international sports... "Join us or lose"
babse Posted March 4 Posted March 4 4 hours ago, Eugene Oppelt said: Makes me wanna go ride Does Tristan and Marco have a real chance of winning this?
ratherberidin' Posted March 4 Posted March 4 They were strong at Tankwa until Marco got taken out by a duiker. (Yes really). Without Beers its likely they will at least podium. Rooting for the boys.
ChrisF Posted March 4 Posted March 4 On 3/3/2026 at 9:01 AM, BuffsVintageBikes said: I hear you... on the steep fire road climb up pass Coetzenberg (granny gear type steep), the wife and myself were riding next to each other and I heard a bike coming at speed and suggested to her to move out the way because there's someone coming up very fast on an ebike and then Wout Alleman passed us doing an interval... and he wasn't on an ebike. I almost got off and sold my bike, the speed was just stupid fast 😲 Just as well you were doing a zone 2 with the wife ..... otherwise Wout never have caught you .... The shear discipline to sit for hours in a particular zone, then to just switch it ON for an interval ... back to the relaxed ride .... Next morning I am still knackered from the hours in the saddle, then Strava pings ... they have already completed another 60 to 80km trails, with yet more PB's .... I have a new found respect for the those "mid fielders" that spent a year getting ready for 8 days. Daniel de V and BigDL 2
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