Absa Cape Epic
Favourites and Blind Rider Push On
Press Release / 01.04.2011
It’s a first for the Absa Cape Epic – two time trials in the 2011 race! Today's time trial was a 32km route through the foothills of Brandwacht. As in 2010, riders traversed the western side of Worcester in this semi-desert environment. Added to last year’s route was an extra 5km loop along dual track past the local golf course. The route data read 860m of climbing which may not seem like a lot, but over such a short distance, it still required a hard effort.<b>Songo-Specialized on winning streak</b>
Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser and his South African team mate Burry Stander (36ONE Songo Specialized) are on a winning streak by again finishing first in the trial ride (Stage 4) of this year’s Absa Cape Epic. They completed the tough 32km course in a time of 1:10.01,1 and are now 7 minutes and 48 seconds in the lead. They were again followed by Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss of Multivan Merida Biking in 1;11.34,0 with the Wildwolf-Trek Pro Racing team of Sergio Gutierrez Mantecon and Carlos Nicolas Coloma in third place in 1:12.08,0.
In second position overall are Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss of Multivan Merida Biking in 15:52.03,3, followed by the Bulls team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm in 15:55.53,8. In fourth place overall are the Stöckli Pro team of Urs Huber and Konny Looser who finished in fifth place today (16:11.01,0), with Versluys-Evenza’s Nicolas Vermeulen and Kevin van Hoovels in fifth place overall (16:13.29,8).
<b>South American Blind Rider Still Going Strong</b>
Visually impaired Brazilian Adauto Belli (40), a security and sniff dog trainer and multisport enthusiast, is participating in this year’s Absa Cape Epic with experienced rider Mario Roma. It is the first time in history that two blind riders, Hein Wagner and Belli, participate in this extreme endurance event.
Belli’s riding partner, Mario Roma (48) from Brazil, has successfully completed the Absa Cape Epic in 2005, 2007 and 2009. Says Roma: “I’ve lived through all the changes of the race.� He jokingly comments that they are not considered a strong team. “We can’t’ compete with Susi (Christoph Sauser), Karl, Hermida, Bart and the rest of the top gang crew. We just want to finish the race. Facing the Cape Epic on a tandem is already a challenge. I personally only know one person who managed to finish the race on a tandem – Chris from Belgium - and I know how hard it was. I believe our situation is a bit more difficult, but we’re going full force as we’re very competitive.�
You can read more about Adauto Belli and find more information on the race on the live race site <a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://live.cape-epic.com')" class="main">http://live.cape-epic.com</a>See All Event Posts
