Absa Cape Epic
Prologue Sets the Scene for this year's Cape Epic
Press Release / 29.03.2011
For the second time in the Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas’ history, riders participated in a prologue. A common feature in grand road cycling tours, the prologue in the Tokai Forest, part of Table Mountain National Park, allowed spectators to see teams race against the clock. The event saw 1200 excited mountain bikers from 54 countries enjoy comfortable sunny weather with the first team starting their 8 day journey at 07h00. Regarded as the Eden of mountain biking in Cape Town, this revered network of trails in Tokai Forest represents all of what makes this sport so great, with tough climbs, fast descents and flowing single-track forming the 27km route.
This showcase event was a race against the clock to decide the seeding in the field and which teams will wear the coveted zebra-striped leaders’ jerseys at the start of Stage 1 in Saronsberg/Tulbagh.
The Men’s Category for the prologue was won by the South African/Swiss team of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (team 36ONE Songo Specialized) in a time of 1:02.40,7. They were followed by Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss of the Multivan Merida Biking team (1:04.22,9) with the Bulls team and 3-times winners of the Absa Cape Epic, Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm in third place (1:04.35,6).
In fourth place was the South African 360LIFE team Kevin Evans and David George (1:04.50,5) with José Hermida and Ralph Näf in fifth place (1:04.53,0).
<b>Blind Riders Take Part</b>
Blind adventurer and motivational speaker Hein Wagner is participating in this year’s Absa Cape Epic with experienced cyclist Gerrie Olivier as Team Pragma Beyond Vision.
Visually impaired Brazilian Adauto Belli (40), a security and sniff dog trainer and multisport enthusiast, is the second blind participant taking part in this year’s event with experienced rider Mario Roma. It will be the first time in history that blind riders will participate in this extreme endurance event.
<b>Live Broadcasts for Race</b>
The Absa Cape Epic made history on its opening day with the first ever live broadcast of the event on South African broadcast network SuperSport. It was also a world first for a live broadcast of a multiple stage mountain bike team race. SuperSport has backed the Absa Cape Epic since its inception and will again broadcast live at the final stage of the race.
There will also be a live broadcast on SuperCycling on Tuesday, 29 March. (The Absa Cape Epic is broadcast in 175 countries, so keep an eye on the broadcast schedules in your area.)
For more information and to follow the race see <a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://live.cape-epic.com/)" class="main">http://live.cape-epic.com/</a>See All Event Posts
