Horseman Posted December 22, 2010 Share The ABSA Cape Epic 2011: Lance Mania Let’s start with the big news... Lance Armstong, the world-famous cyclist is riding the event next year! Join him in the Absa Cape Epic Andrew Clayton Armstrong’s Epic partner has not yet been announced and will play an important part of winning. What will be very interesting is how the Absa Cape Epic maintains the ‘Lance Mania’, as riders have always moved freely and mixed between each other throughout the event; World Champions riding shoulder to shoulder with the amateur riders has always been the appeal of the relaxed mountain biking way. Karl Platt (currently 9th UCI ranking) and Stefan Sahm (currently 17th UCI ranking) are the defending Champions from 2007, 2009 and 2010 and this team, Team Bulls, appears unbeatable with so much experience behind them; surely another win in 2011 will be in their sights. Jose Hermida: The current World Champion: Men Elite (Cross Country) is looking in top-form and the all important partner choice will swing the results. With the right partner this Mulitvan Merida team looks unstoppable and after a stage-win last year, the thirst for overall victory will be strong. Reading this morning’s ‘twitter’ from Costa Rica, it seems Jose is toughening up on Le Ruta which will stand him in good stead for Epic. Alban Lakata: The current Top UCI Ranking Men Elite (Marathon) performed very strongly with South African’s top mountain biker with Kevin Evans. After finishing 3rd in the Epic in 2010, he stands a very good chance of winning in 2011. Burry Stander: The current World Champion: U23 (Cross Country) and Christoph Sauser past World Champion (currently 21st UCI ranking) riding for Songo.info make for a formidable team after finishing second in 2010 but have struggled to complete in the past. Will 2011 be their year and deliver for this team what on paper suggests a win and what an entire Mountain Biking community in South Africa would love to see – A South African on the podium at no 1?! Blind adventurer and motivational speaker Hein Wagner will take on next year’s Absa Cape Epic with experienced cyclist Gerrie Olivier as Team Pragma Beyond Vision. It will be the first time in history that a blind person participates in this extreme endurance event. Race Founder, Kevin Vermaak concludes “Even if we have all the world champions on the start line, the race remains absolutely achievable for anyone that sets his or her mind to do it. And riding alongside the world’s best is something you can only do at the Absa Cape Epic. Perhaps what is even more important to the amateurs that come from all over the world is the quality of the route and of our event services. This remains the core of what we’re about,” Next month we will take a peek at the route and training! Andrew Clayton, who has completed the past three ABSA Cape Epics, is writing exclusively for The South African. If you are into mountain Biking join the Pedal Studio Mountain bike group for training and weekend rides – Pedal Studio is London’s only Pay as You go Spinning Studio. You can email Andrew on andrew.clayton@pedalstudio.co.uk to find out more. (www.pedalstudio.co.uk) The Absa Cape Epic, presented by Adidas, is the most televised mountain bike race in the world. It recently announced an increased prize purse of R500, 000 for next year, which consolidates the event’s position as the largest prize purse in the world of endurance mountain biking. What an achievement for South Africa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fandacious Posted December 22, 2010 Share that plonker couldnt even win the argus - whats he doing @ the epic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloupanda Posted December 22, 2010 Share the epic is for rich people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Fuel Posted December 22, 2010 Share I did the Epic this year and what an event. Everyone is just there and very friendly. How the hell is this going to happen? Lance appears to be a prick to me. He wants money for everything. Is he going to have a chap next to him with a till register? How is he going to show his face without getting any money for it? That is my only reason for not liking him. He is all about the dollars and not the cents!! I am prepared to say right now that his chances of winning are 0%. The race doesn't even need his support. It is fully booked from the start. However if this story is true I wish him a good race and I hope he has as much fun as I did. He just needs to state from the start he has no chance of winning or else he will leave in his helicopter straight after the race as he did with the Argus. Oh yes..... and remember to have at least 2 pages left in your passport. Edited December 22, 2010 by Top Fuel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roer Posted December 22, 2010 Share the epic is for rich people If you really want to do the Epic, you will find a way. Second sponsored year in a row for our team (and they are far from pro's). Money is a bad excuse. Really hope Lance will be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest coenie Posted December 22, 2010 Share that plonker couldnt even win the argus - whats he doing @ the epic?Maybe he is riding it like the 1199 other people....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlinkFan Posted December 22, 2010 Share that plonker couldnt even win the argus - whats he doing @ the epic? Did you win? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetrackmind Posted December 22, 2010 Share Has Pat McQuaid arranged Lance's 'special clearance' then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty Posted December 22, 2010 Share I think it is really cool as it will just give the Epic even more exposure overseas. I always follow the Epic when it is on and 2011 I will be glued to my tv again. Might even try go watch a stage or 2. GO BURRY and CHRISTOF !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldron Posted December 22, 2010 Share I'm not a big Lance fan but add his name to anything and it goes ballistic so I guess I'm pleased he's involved. It'll certainly mean more americans at the 2012 Epic....hmmmm on seconds thoughts maybe I'm not so keen I thought Burry might ride with his new team mate Kulhavy in 2010 - maybe Burry needs Cristof's maturity....hmmmm. Edited December 22, 2010 by Eldron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark ellis Posted December 22, 2010 Share that plonker couldnt even win the argus - whats he doing @ the epic? comment of the year! nice one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissVan Posted December 22, 2010 Share I did the Epic this year and what an event. Everyone is just there and very friendly. How the hell is this going to happen? Lance appears to be a prick to me. He wants money for everything. Is he going to have a chap next to him with a till register? How is he going to show his face without getting any money for it? That is my only reason for not liking him. He is all about the dollars and not the cents!! I am prepared to say right now that his chances of winning are 0%. The race doesn't even need his support. It is fully booked from the start. However if this story is true I wish him a good race and I hope he has as much fun as I did. He just needs to state from the start he has no chance of winning or else he will leave in his helicopter straight after the race as he did with the Argus. Oh yes..... and remember to have at least 2 pages left in your passport. LOL thats like me saying that you appear to be a poephol. Yes I admit the odds are I'm wrong in my assumption on you and apologize for making assumptions. LA is a big celebrity with a healthy sized economy attached, to expect him to behave like a normal pleb is unrealistic. The fact that he is still interested enough in cycling to take part in events all over the world is testament to his commitment to the sport. So what if he gets paid a small fortune, that’s his privilege and right to make a living out of something he enjoys doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted December 22, 2010 Share LOL thats like me saying that you appear to be a poephol. Yes I admit the odds are I'm wrong in my assumption on you and apologize for making assumptions. LA is a big celebrity with a healthy sized economy attached, to expect him to behave like a normal pleb is unrealistic. The fact that he is still interested enough in cycling to take part in events all over the world is testament to his commitment to the sport. So what if he gets paid a small fortune, that’s his privilege and right to make a living out of something he enjoys doing. You nervous yet? How's the training coming on in the snow? Lance is waiting for you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissVan Posted December 22, 2010 Share You nervous yet? How's the training coming on in the snow? Lance is waiting for you... LOL Lance had better be scared. Not really nervous, but I do have sleepless moments wondering about how much I’m going to ***.Training indoors at the moment and have not ventured out into the snow yet, still procrastinating about which bike to use and how to prepare it…i.e. mudguards, lights etc… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Dale Posted December 22, 2010 Share Hope this newsflash is true.Will do so much (again) for local cycling and the profile of South Africa as a great country... On a cheeky note, maybe the Bulls will have some stiffer competition this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udxcob Posted December 22, 2010 Share Imagine Lance and Levi teaming up together for the epic, I rate they would have a great chance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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