Epic route a sure tester
The route of the eighth edition of the Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas, which takes place from March 27 to April 3 next year, will be as challenging as previous years, taking mountain bike riders on an adventure over 707km with 14 550m of climbing from Tokai to Lourensford.
The route, which changes significantly each year, will lead 1 200 cyclists through vast distances of virgin territory, previously untouched by the race.
With its challenging and exhilarating landscapes, the stage locations of Saronsberg (Tulbagh), Worcester and Oak Valley await the most prestigious mountain bike stage race in the world, before riders again finish at the Lourensford Wine Estate, as has been tradition for the past five years.
One of the most visited tourist attractions in the southern hemisphere, the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, will again play host to the opening celebrations and registration for the race on March 25 and 26.
For the second time in the Epic's history, riders will compete in a prologue. A common feature in grand road cycling tours, the prologue in the Tokai Forest, part of Table Mountain National Park, will allow spectators to see teams race against the clock.
Regarded as the Eden of mountain biking in Cape Town, this revered network of trails represents all of what makes this sport great, with tough climbs, fast descents and flowing single-track forming the 27km route.
This showcase event will decide which teams will wear the coveted zebra-striped leaders' jerseys at the start of stage one on Monday, March 28, at Saronsberg in Tulbagh.
Said Kevin Vermaak, director and founder of the Epic: “We have again selected some of the best terrain that the Western Cape has to offer.
"Our route designer, Leon Evans - or as he is best known amongst riders, Dr Evil - has again found the perfect balance between exciting trails, challenging terrain and wider vistas in the pursuit of the ultimate mountain biking experience.”
Stage 1 – Saronsberg to Saronsberg (outside Tulbagh) - (89km with 2 050m of climbing) may sound short but should not be underestimated. The flat roads out of town will leave few clues as to what is to come.
Soon after leaving town, short but incredibly steep, rough and loose climbs will appear, and on the treacherous descents, volleyball-sized rocks and sand patches will pock the little-used dual tracks.
Stage 2: Saronsberg to Saronsberg (104km and 2 300m of climbing). A 12km steady upward drag will take riders to a 6km climb on an ancient Voortrekker wagon trail, specially opened for the race.
At the top, the 18km mark, riders will have already ascended almost 1 000m. With this stage's major obstacle out of the way, the valley opens up ahead, with the route looping clockwise, following the buffer zone between orchards and mountainside.
Stage 3 – Saronsberg to Worcester (125 km and 1 900m of climbing). With the fast roads out of town, riders will cover 13 km before the first climb. It is steep at times and very loose, requiring hard bursts of effort to gain momentum over the rockiest parts.
Stage 4 - Worcester to Worcester (32km with 800m of climbing) will mark another first for the Epic – two time trials in one race – with a 32km route through the foothills of Brandwacht.
As in 2010, riders will traverse the western side of Worcester in this semi-desert environment. Added to last year's route is an extra 5km loop along dual tracks past the local golf course. The route data reads only 860m of climbing, but over such a short distance, it requires a hard effort.
Stage 5 - Worcester to Oak Valley (143km with 2 350m of climbing) will be a classic epic day out and the longest stage in many years.
With fast open roads, marked by three obstacles along the way, riders will be wise to save their strength and cooperate with other teams to form larger groups, to take turns at the front to lighten the load.
Stage 6 - Oak Valley to Oak Valley (128km with 2 700m of climbing). In the penultimate stage competitors will be wary. The route profile and the total ascent will tell how they will be tested right to the end of the week on this brutal Oak Valley loop.
Again riders head over Groendlandberg, for the second time in two days, this time following the 2010 route in reverse.
Final stage Stage 7 - Oak Valley to Lourensford (59km with 1 700m of climbing). It is the same every year – the last day of the Epic might be short but it is never easy.
Old Viljoen's Pass and Nuweberg remind riders that it is not over yet. Trail builders are in the process of cutting new routes and Dr Evil has warned riders of a final few surprises before a traditional finish at Lourensford.