Absa Cape Epic still the toughest mtb trial
Sauser and Stander on their way to time-trial vicotry
The 2010 edition of the Absa Cape Epic has just passed its halfway mark, and it looks like one of the toughest so far. At the end of today’s time trial, the fifth out of eight stages, only 462 teams remain of the 600 that started on Sunday. About 70 riders finished as individuals, having lost their partners along the way. The attrition rate is high, testimony to an uncompromising course designer known unsurprisingly as Dr Evil. Paul and I are following the race daily, and despite the apparent harshness of the course, we both wish that once again we were there. The Epic has a strange attraction, like a cruel mistress who beats you and mistreats you, and still you yearn for more. Or so I’m told. I’ve never had a mistress like that, or like anything else (that bit is especially for the attention of Mrs Rink).
The current race leaders are Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, who won last year, but if I were a betting man (I can’t afford to be, so it’s all moot) I would put my money on Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander. On the first couple of days the pair suffered illness and mechanical problems, but have come back to win the latest three stages and are up to third overall, seven minutes behind the leaders. They have clearly thrown down the gauntlet and, barring mechanicals, they could well be on the top step on the podium by the weekend.
This year’s Epic has been touched with sadness – on Tuesday morning James Williamson, a 26-year-old from Australia, died in hospital after his riding partner was unable to rouse him. James, who edited a mountain bike magazine, and his partner had been riding well and were in 18th position. I am sure that all the riders will make their continued participation a tribute to James.