Absa Cape Epic

Top Riders prepare for 2014 Absa Cape Epic

News Release / 03.03.2014

Christoph Sauser, the mountain biker who needs no introduction, has partnered up with former Czech roadie, Frantisek Rabon for the 2014 Absa Cape Epic. Rabon turned professional in 2006 after having been European U23 road champion the previous season and three times Czech Under 23 time trial champion. He was also the 2010 winner of the 5 stage road race in Spain, Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia. This year they are proudly riding for Team Meerendal-Songo-Specialized.

Sauser won the race in 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2006. With regards to their chances of an overall win, Sauser comments: “On paper we’ll be one of the favourite amongst many other strong teams, but you can’t win an Absa Cape Epic on paper. So many unexpected scenarios can happen.” 

Another four-time Absa Cape Epic winner, Karl Platt, will return with Urs Huber to fight for a possible fifth win. Platt is one of only nine riders to have completed all 10 races. He stood on the podium in eight of these, and won four times – sharing the limelight with Christoph Sauser as the two most successful riders at the race.

Huber is a master at long and hot stage races. He is a three-times winner of the Grand Raid which is said to be the hardest one day race in the world with more than 5000m climbing. He won the iXS Swiss Bike Classic three times and a two times winner of the Crocodile Trophy in Australia.

Says Platt: “I think we had a very successful partnership last year and look forward to this year’s Absa Cape Epic.” To the question of their chances of an overall win, “It’s all about the team. I can’t remember if we have any weaknesses, and if we do, I’m not going to tell.”

Another exciting duo team consists of Swiss Nino Schurter and South African Philip Buys, as team Scott-Odlo Racing.

Schurter is the fastest mountain biker on the planet today, and unstoppable on a cross country circuit. He is a three-times World Champion and UCI World Cup overall winner. He is a two-time Olympic medallist.  Buys, on the other hand, is the current African Cross-country Champion, the 2013 South African Cross-country Champion and has four Absa Cape Epics under his belt.

Says Schurter “Our goal is to win the race and we’re training hard. You always need a little bit of luck to successfully complete the Absa Cape Epic.” Buys adds that he feels honored to ride with the fastest rider on the planet. “I’m slightly nervous, but my excitement overpowers the nervousness. And I feel confident!  We have great support, ride the best equipment and I'm training hard, so we're making sure our chances are good.”

All six riders have spent considerable time in the Western Cape this year already to ensure they’re in the best possible shape to fight for top podium at the 2014 Absa Cape Epic.

Find more of your favourites in Who to Watch.

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