Stefan Sahm and Karl Platt of team Bulls 1 celebrating their overall win at the 2010 Absa Cape Epic ©Rod Gaunt
Riders and spectators at the 2011 Absa Cape Epic will be served up a treat with a 27 kilometre prologue to kick-off the event. Race organisers this week announced the 2011 route, which will see 1,200 riders tackle 707 kilometres, including 14,550 metres of climbing over eight stages from March 27 to April 3.
The race will begin within the Table Mountain National Park with a 27 kilometre time trial through the Tokai Forest. It will be just the second time in its eight year history that the Cape Epic has begun with a prologue. The race will visit a number of new locations including Saronsberg (Tulbagh), Worcester and Oak Valley. The event will continue a five-year tradition when it concludes at the Lourensford Wine Estate on April 3.
“The Absa Cape Epic has again selected some of the best terrain that the Western Cape has to offer,” said Kevin Vermaak, Director and Founder of the Absa Cape Epic. “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.”
“The race has grown in popularity worldwide and is increasingly becoming an iconic endurance event. Finishing the Absa Cape Epic is and will always be an enormous physical and mental challenge, and riders will need as much dedicated training and preparation to earn the title ‘Absa Cape Epic Finisher’,” he continued.
The route for the event changes every year and organisers have designed a challenging but achievable route for participants. With its combination of elite and amateur competitors the event has become the world’s premier mountain-bike stage race.
“Our aim is definitely not to make the route tougher each year just for the sake of it. We aim to offer participants from around the world an awesome trail that showcases the best that the Western Cape has to offer. We want new routes, with suitable technical and challenging riding, that take the riders to new towns whilst at the same time giving the riders the most beautiful and remote scenery, and with wild animals to boot. Without the incredible support of Cape Nature Conservation, this would not be possible as they give us access to their reserves,” explained Vermaak, whose team will cater to the 1,200 riders that will compete in the 2011 event.
“We aim to deliver an unsurpassed and unforgettable mountain bike and African travel-experience. Therefore, we offer a 24-hour full service around the race, including tented accommodation in race villages, carbo-loaded breakfasts and dinners, race nutrition, bike servicing, masseurs, and stage location specific entertainment every evening.”
Below are details of the seven stages that will follow the opening prologue.
Stage 1 – Saronsberg to Saronsberg (89km with 2,050m of climbing)
Stage one 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. On the treacherous descents, volleyball-sized rocks and sand patches will pock mark the little-used dual tracks. While the pro-riders will make short work of it, the first 50 kilometres may take backmarkers over five hours. The stage’s last climb on some rough roads will bring riders to the top of one of most precarious downhills they have seen at the Cape Epic. With large rocks, deep ruts and a sheer drop on the left, riders will need to keep their wits about them.
Stage 2: Saronsberg to Saronsberg (104km and 2,300m of climbing)
The stage begins with a steady 12 kilometre upwards drag will lead riders to a six kilometre climb on an ancient Voortrekker wagon trail, specially opened for the race. At the top of this hill, riders will have already ascended almost 1,000 metres. With this stage’s major obstacle out of the way, the valley opens up ahead with a clockwise loop that follows the buffer zone between orchards and mountainside. A look at the profile shows that the tracks are far from flat and a short section of single-track will compensate for the labour of the first 50 kilometres. If it is a hot day in the valley during race week, riders will be tempted to take a dip in one of the several dams dotted along the route as they begin to head home. After a 1.5 kilometre rise to the highpoint of the day’s stage will come the reward of the hard work invested in the first climb. On a clear day, the unmistakable silhouette of Table Mountain will be visible from the crest. Riders then descend the wagon trail towards town for a good night’s rest.
Stage 3 – Saronsberg to Worcester (125km and 1,900m of climbing)
With the fast roads out of town, riders will cover 13 kilometres before the first climb. It is steep at times and very loose, requiring hard bursts of effort to gain momentum over the rockiest parts. If there was ever a theme of race week, it’s ‘from effort comes reward’. After the four kilometre climb, riders will arrive at a plateau with a beautiful valley nestled between spectacular mountains. After smooth farm roads and more rocky tracks, the tyres will be put to the test, with devil thorns lying in wait. A long drag upwards on a rough path leads to a remote hut at the foot of the cliff face of the bare rock of the mountainside. The area is a geologist’s paradise. After the final water point, Absa Cape Epic veterans will have déjà vu, with a similar run into the race village through some winding single-track.
Stage 4 – Worcester to Worcester (32km with 800m of climbing)
Stage four will mark another first for the Absa Cape 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 five kilometre loop along dual tracks past the local golf course. The route data reads only 860 metres of climbing, but over such a short distance, it requires a hard effort. As usual, the top teams will leave at one minute intervals, racing only against the clock, some looking for a stage win and others to consolidate. While the pro teams battle it out, experienced amateurs will be holding back, saving themselves for the second half of the Absa Cape Epic adventure.
Stage 5 – Worcester to Oak Valley (143km with 2,350m of climbing)
Stage five 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. The first climb of the day will be a shock to the system, not only from the gradient but also the track’s surface. In parts, the climb is barely rideable, and only the fittest and best bike handlers are likely to make it up without unclipping. As always, what goes up must come down, and those with full suspension bikes will be grateful for their weapon of choice. More open roads will help get some kilometers under the belt before the radio mast comes into view. Down the other side of this deceptive climb is a fast chute into farmlands and waiting for them is a set of rolling hills that will deaden the legs of even the most hardened campaigner. At the 100 kilometre mark riders will reach the foot of the exquisite Groenlandberg, the grand old legend inviting riders back in 2011 thanks to Cape Nature Conservation. The 15 per cent gradient on the concrete path should be paced conservatively, with the remainder of the climb taking most riders well over an hour to complete. The north-facing slope will make for a challenging ascent on a hot afternoon, but the rocky downhill section leads to the famed Oak Valley single-track to make it all worth it.
Stage 6 – Oak Valley to Oak Valley (128km with 2,700m of climbing)
In the penultimate stage competitors will need to be wary with the route profile and total ascent indicating a challenging day on the Oak Valley loop. For the second time in as many days riders will head over the Groendlandberg, this time following the 2010 route in reverse. After crossing the R43 riders need to come to terms with a tough sandy climb, nicknamed ‘The Beeatch’. A short section on Highlands Road will be a relief before more loose and partially sandy climbing – which will be rewarded with a dramatic view over the Indian Ocean, the Botriver mouth and Kleinmond. One last climb leads them through another Cape Nature area featuring some rare fynbos. Shortly after riders get to enjoy the flowing single tracks of Lebanon, before they dip under the N2 for more fun single track through Thandi and back home to Oak Valley – a great way to finish a strenuous day in the saddle.
Stage 7 – Oak Valley to Lourensford (59km with 1,700m of climbing)
It’s the same every year – the last day of the Absa Cape 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. Here they will be reunited with their loved ones – a life’s task accomplished and an experience they will never forget.