Archive for the ‘Video – general’ Category
Four-time Absa Cape Epic winner Karl Platt of Germany and Swiss partner Urs Huber (Bulls) laid down a marker for the week ahead by blitzing the course to win Sunday’s prologue.
And in the Women’s category South African Robyn de Groot and her Swedish teammate Jennie Stenerhag (Ascendis Health) gave notice that they will be a force in this year’s race when they beat favourites Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad (Spur-Specialized).
The Absa Cape Epic route changes every year. The dedicated route team takes two years to plan where in South Africa’s rugged Western Cape province riders will test themselves with a distance of around 800km and 15 000m climbing. What is guaranteed each year is a challenging traverse of the area’s iconic fynbos valleys, majestic mountains, deep ravines, indigenous forests, spectacular coastlines and flourishing vineyards.
The terrain is as varied as it is harsh – dusty and demanding gravel roads, strenuous rocky climbs, thrilling technical descents, refreshing river crossings and fast forest single tracks. The Absa Cape Epic route gives riders and fans the opportunity to experience the historic and scenic towns in the Western Cape – many of them off the beaten tourist track. Over the past decade the race has visited more than 40 towns.
After rolling off the start ramp the route took riders straight onto Meerendal’s custom-built trails before they tackled the challenging singletrack climb up “Stairway to Heaven” to the top of Dorstberg, a mountaintop boasting magnificent 360 degree views of world famous landmarks such as Table Mountain and Robben Island.
A testing single track climb afforded more spectacular views from the top before a fun roller coaster descent down the other side. The route headed back through steep vineyards and a steady climb past dairy fields onto the picturesque Meerendal Wine Estate, finishing off with some more singletrack to ensure riders finished the first day with big smiles on their faces.
Boardn@Sun Peaks Resort Ep3 ft Tommy Van, Geremy Guido, Aiden Hryciw, Malcolm Eppinger, Bryce Bugera & Teilhard Volk