|
|
|
|
|
|
SPORT & OUTDOOR
5th Cape Epic
Venue: Throughout the Western Cape. Tel: (021)
426 4373.
Time: -
Price: -
Performances: 28 Mar - 5 Apr 2008
|
The Cape Epic - the biggest race of its kind in the world -
offers local and international mountain biking enthusiasts the opportunity
to participate in a nine day mountain bike adventure of 966 km from Knysna
in the Garden Route to the Cape Winelands.
The route changes every year and will lead 1 200 cyclists
through vast distances of unspoilt nature and up approximately 18 000m of
climbing over some of the most magnificent passes in South Africa.
For the very first time in the Absa Cape Epic’s history,
riders will compete in a prologue. A common feature in grand tours on the
road, the prologue on the Field of Dreams at the Pezula Private Estate,
will allow spectators to see teams race against the clock around a fast
17km circuit. The riders get a chance at a good seeding position in the
start chute of stage one in Knysna the next morning.
|
article continues below
|
|
|
The route will probably be the most challenging one ever.
Kicking off in Knysna, the first stage will cover 123km from Knysna to
Saasveld in George. On the second day, riders will take on the grueling
137km from George to Calitzdorp - arguably the hardest stage in the Absa
Cape Epic’s history. Stage three from Calitzdorp Spa to Riversdale will
take riders over 133km. The route will lead participants up a 13km steady
drag of smooth dirt roads over Redthorn before a 70km/h descent into the
valley. The fourth stage will be from Riversdale to Swellendam and will
cover 121km.
Stage five is 146km and ends in Bredasdorp. Just when it
looks like an easy day on the smooth dirt roads, riders turn into the
rough dual tracks of De Hoop Nature Reserve with its rocks and deep sand.
The sixth day riders need to cover a distance of 130km from Bredasdorp to
Hermanus.
With only two days to go, stage seven’s route is only 91km
from Hermanus to the Paul Cluver Wine Estate near Grabouw. On the last day
of the taxing Absa Cape Epic – and with only 68km to go - riders will end
their adventure at Lourensford. But they should not be fooled. Although
this is the shortest stage, it will definitely not be easy.
|
|
|
