ABSA Cape Epic
SPOT, The New Official Tracking Partner of Africa’s Untamed Mountain Bike Race
Press Release / 18.09.2017
Satellites will look after the safety of the riders in the 2018 Absa Cape Epic along the route thanks to Globalstar Satellite Africa, the new Official Tracking Partner of Africa’s Untamed Mountain Bike Race.
Globalstar Satellite Africa will provide each of the 680 Absa Cape Epic teams with their lightweight SPOT Gen3 device as part of a three-year investment that sees the race migrate from a GSM-based cellular tracking system to a satellite tracking solution. Given the remote, rugged nature of the Western Cape, some sections of the route have little or no cellular coverage. The partnership with Globalstar Satellite Africa will ensure continuous connectivity and enable the organisers to keep tabs on all teams from start to finish during each stage.
Should a team need assistance, they need only push the S.O.S. button on the SPOT Gen3 device to alert the organisers to set in motion emergency support if needed. Globalstar Satellite Africa will further supply SPOT Trace devices to 60 support vehicles and two helicopters for the eight-day race from 18-25 March. This will take rider well-being and protection to another level at the Absa Cape Epic, as well as assist with logistics.
“Rider safety is of paramount importance to the event and by having a satellite solution, we are substantially improving our ability to track teams and react to emergencies out on each stage. In addition to this, the SPOT solution allows us to effectively track and move event assets during the course of each stage including vehicles, personnel and medical support,” said Glyn Broomberg, Head of Race Operations for the Absa Cape Epic.
“Given the remoteness of the stages, using the SPOT Gen3 units, provides a whole new level of support that can be given to various elements of the event. This includes the event developing its own platform, ‘Epic Command’ which will manage the flow of the data from the tracking units and ensure that all of the relevant parties receive the required feed.”
The SPOT technology will also allow fans, friends and family to follow the progress of the teams on the Absa Cape Epic website - www.cape-epic.com - and via an activation at the race village. In the past, riders would sometimes disappear from the website tracking for long periods on the GSM network, but spectators will be able to have more continuous coverage throughout the race.
Globalstar have become a world leader in satellite and communication devices for recreational use since they were founded in 2007. In April this year, they celebrated their 5000th rescue and next year will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary. Their devices have been used in the grueling 250km Marathon Des Sables through the Sahara to great success.
Sean McCormick, Managing Director of Globalstar Satellite Africa, has experienced the untamed Absa Cape Epic himself as a rider and knows that an accident can happen at any time and to anyone, be it a world champion or an amateur fighting to make the cut-off. The mountain passes of the Western Cape can be unforgiving. Globalstar’s investment means increased peace of mind for the riders, organisers and spectators.
“We are proud to be providing an effective tracking solution to the Absa Cape Epic from 2018. As an Amabubesi member myself and having completed three Absa Cape Epic races, I am aware of the rugged and off-the-grid nature of the race, and the limitations of GSM tracking thereof. Our satellite tracking will increase rider safety, increase the viewing experience for those at home as well as increase the efficiency of the race organiser’s systems” said McCormick.
* The 2018 Absa Cape Epic mountain bike stage race takes place from 18 to 25 March and the much anticipated route will be announced on 19 September 2017.
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