Epic..George/Sauser combine!!

[snah2]

Read in Die Burger this morning that both Sauser and DG are frustrated with their "slow" partners that they have decided to combine as an unofficial team to show the big guns how its done!!

 

They will not feature on the official results but will unofficially try to win a stage or two.

 

Reading between the lines it seems as if both are far too strong for their partners and are convinced they can finish in the top echelon.

 

Will be interesting to see how they do unofficially and it seems DG has adapted well to the mtb.

 

Watch the results of today's stage!!(unofficial of course)

 

Sentiments of some of the other teams do not seem to be too positive towards this move.

[Thyolo]

The third day of the gruelling Absa Cape Epic mountain bike race, ridden over eight days in teams of two, was a day of high emotions, punctures, intense heat and a controversial shake-up in the professional ranks.

Monday was undoubtedly the toughest climbing day of the race, with three brutally steep uphill tracks - interspersed with undulating arid stretches - between Oudtshoorn and Ladismith in the Klein Karoo.

The event's organisers and managers of the professional teams held an emergency meeting Monday afternoon after three top riders, who had excelled at the uphills, cut themselves off from their weaker partners.

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Others professionals were worried that the loners would help certain teams to the disadvantage of others. Riders who do not finish with their partners are given a one-hour penalty the next day, but if it happens twice they are out.

Last year's overall winner, Christoph Sauser, for Specialized, dropped his partner, Johannes Palhuber, and rode over the finish line with Sunday's winning team, Cannondale Vredestein 1 with Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fugelsang.

Epic director Kevin Vermaak said Sauser, from Switzerland, wanted to train hard for the World Cup and, according to the rules, could carry on as a non-official finisher if he found himself a new partner by 8pm last night. Then the surprise announcement came that he would team up with South African pro David George, who had cut away from fellow South African, Rupert Rheede.

New Zealand professional Kashie Leuchs, of Cannondale Vredestein 2, also dropped his partner, Axel Bult, a rider who was roped in only last Tuesday, and crossed the finish line alongside Saturday's winners, the Bulls team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm.

Leuchs said he and Bult had discussed the strategy the night before: "With all respect to the Epic, all the professionals came here to train for the World Cup. It would be extremely frustrating if I could not do this. I need to train hard and today was good for my confidence. A penalty is fair enough. But if we get taken out, none of the pros will come back next year."

Platt said the other professionals were happy with the loners getting new partners if it meant that no one would get an unfair advantage.

Meanwhile, tears ran down mud-caked faces as exhaustion took its toll on the minds and bodies of many riders at the back of the field. Many collapsed, shaking uncontrollably, as they crossed the finish line after 128km of hellishly steep climbs, soft sand and loose rocks.

South African veteran David Arpin was taken by paramedics to the race hospital on a stretcher. His partner, Brendan Murray, said his bike frame broke early on, but they fixed it with wire from a farm fence.

Official race doctor Basil Bonner said no serious injuries were reported, but many suffered from dehydration.

[rock]

ja I first thought sauser's move to ride alone last night on the the TV hi-lites sounded a little selfish......but youcould see his condition when he dfinished with the winners.........

 

specialized must really force Killen to come here to race with Sauser.......they'd be very strong then.

 

 

 

[Mudsimus]

I can just imagine rheeder huffing and puffing on the MTB! That guy is not build for it...and his way to aggro!

[TitusTi]

The thing is, the main competitors are not going to race the George/Sauser combo because they are not in the race and their result is irrelevant? This just sounds like a bunch of posing and big talk from people trying to save face, a little silly and childish really.

[Guest Big H]

Wonder how Rupert is handling the "rejection"..... anybody knows if he will continue?????

[Buff]

Leuchs said he and Bult had discussed the strategy the night before: "With all respect to the Epic' date=' all the professionals came here to train for the World Cup. It would be extremely frustrating if I could not do this. I need to train hard and today was good for my confidence. A penalty is fair enough. But if we get taken out, none of the pros will come back next year."
[/quote']

This is BS... they knew the rules before they came to race, it's the same in TransAlps & TransRockies. No good bitching about it now. Riding as a team is what this race is all about, otherwise you may as well make it an individual challenge. Beside, who gives a sh*t if they don't come back, the Epic will still be sold out to locals? Like TiTitus said, all a bit childish and a win by any of the combined teams would be hollow.

[timbrink]

rupert was ill going in - something flu-like i believe.

 

 

 

david and christoph fourth today, a couple of minutes adrift of Hermida/Naf, who won the stage.

[TitusTi]

Finally Naef starts making his move! Sorry but Sauser and George's results interests me not at all. Saw Kev and Brandon solidifying his position. Top 5 on the cards?