Absa Cape Epic Takes Off Saturday
The 6th Absa Cape Epic kicks off on Saturday, March 21st and runs through Saturday, March 28, 2009. the Absa Epic is billed as the “largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world.”
While a major fire on Table Mountain earlier in the week forced the cancellation of the Thursday’s prologue course practice, organizers have stated that “registration and all ‘non-riding’ pre-event functions will continue to take palce at the same venues and at the same time as previously comunicated.” Barring additional fire flare-ups or changes in weather conditions, the course will be open on Friday for practice and the prologue will start as scheduled on Saturday.
The Epic features four categories of competition. Two-member teams will compete in Mens, Ladies, mixed, and Masters events. All teams must ride together at all times during the race. The Masters category stipulates that both team riders must be at least forty years old.
Mountain bike riders from over 46 countries are expected to gather in Cape Town for this event. Competitors from Japan, Russia, Australia, Bermuda, the Middle East, and Slovakia have registered for the event.
Cape Town is excited about the influx of riders, crews, and fans that arrive each year with the Epic. Look for five star Cape Town hotels to be full of celebrity riders and media and for fans to camp out along the race route.
This year’s favorites to watch in the all important Men’s event include the German teams of Karl Platt who finished 1st in 2007 and 2nd in 2008 and Stefan Sahm and Jocehn Kab and Hannes Genze. The South African team of Kevin Evans and David George is also expected to do well, after finishing 3rd in 2008.
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Tags: Absa Cape Epic, Cape Epic, Cape Mountain Bike Race, Cape Town, five star, Hotels