Sara's axiom

17 March 2013

Epic matters: The Prologue

A view from the top of the stairway to hell euhh heaven, our first climb of the day

Ok we did it, we rode the prologue and we ended up 5th. The gap with the leaders Esther Süss and Jane Nuessli is only 7,5 minutes. I am happy and Laura is too, she enjoyed it and didn't have to slow down to much. At least she is so kind to let me believe this. At the start we were much more excited about finding out how we would ride together then about the race itself. As a person it is sure there is a click but would there be a click as a rider? We discovered there is, so we are two happy people here.

About the prologue's track:

If I would try to put it in words it wouldn't even touch the heels of the poetic description the copywriters of the Cape Epic gave it. Therefore we invite you to read this. We can confirm they didn't exaggerate one millimeters.

Description of today's track

About the race: last years winners Esther Süss and Sally Bigham are no longer a team this year. Sally rides with her Toppeak Ergon team partner Milena Landtwing and Esther had to look for another lady. Since Jane lives in Suisse, the choice was easy.

The good thing about this mix up is that there will be a lot more competition going on and we are anxious to follow this ranking from close.

Check the complete race results at : http://www.cape-epic.com/live/

Our competitors on the track

About our tactic: We will take it day by day, no plans just riding and having a good time. How does that sound?

Days are so relaxed and hectic at the Epic. From day one we are taken into a roller coaster, we don't sit still and we don 't do anything else than ride and think about riding. There is the bike to check, the food to take care of, the tent to install and so on... But we don 't complain, while we are doing all this we catch up with Fontana again ( on stage today in third position ) and we enjoy the sun, bless God there is sun here ... even to much, tomorrow they expect 28°C in the shade and .... THERE IS NO SHADE ON THE 96KM TRACK!

our recovery food, proteins & salty carbs

16 March 2013

Pre Epic matters Day II & III

Ok let's catch up where we ended yesterday.

Apart from to the riding, sleeping and eating we are here to get you some stories. So yesterday we mixed up with the pro's at the press conference. It took us some time to realise that numbers 1,2 and 3 from the Olympics are here at the start of the 10th Absa Cape Epic, just a little detail!

We give you some hot lines of the pros, hope you like them as much as we did!

We heard Christopher Sausser talking about his partner, no one less than Olympic champion Yaruslav Kulhavy. He spoke these brilliant words as always with a serious look in his eyes: "I think we can manage together, you know, my partner he's not pastry he's a man of steel!"

the top three man teams

Karl Platt entering the Cape for the 10th time. ( Yes he rode all the editions!!!! ) "For a training with Urs you have to prepare like for a race, he only has one speed!"

Karl Platt & Urs Huber

Fontana and Turpijn

Fontana and Fumic: "We go for a good overall ranking only we haven't decide what place yet!"

Fontana is here because Jose said to him: "If you are a pro rider you have to ride the Epic!"

Their tactic: "We will ride hard in the prologue and than take it easy!"

Lakata and Man

Lakata and his partner told us everything about their preparations: Cross country skiing and 2 trainingcamps in the sun was Lakata's winter program.

We spotted Jose Hermida doing his last shopping in the outdoor shop at the V&A Waterfront. Considering what he bought we think he might sleep in a tent with us, the amateurs!

Jose Hermida

And our top of the bill chat is most definitely the one with Tom Ritchey!

"It's good to mix up with the pro riders on the field to see how our products work and how we can improve."

We talked with him for like 15 minutes and he blew us away with his wise words and his calm attitude. He describes his company biggest small company in the world, we agree.

Tom our hero

Today we rode the prologue track we catched up with Nino Shurter after his partner Florian flatted in the uphill. To strong those guys!

I'll remember his words: " You look strong ladies". In the mean time we were wondering how he will keep his kit shinny white? :-)

Two Champs

Our audiance today

Tomorrow is D-day, finally

14 March 2013

Pre Epic matters Day I

Is there a better way to present a perfect day, than presenting it in pictures?
I don 't think so.... therefor not many words only a few, because I like to touch the keyboard!

Our arrival in South Africa was a warm welcome, the thermometer climbed up to 32 degrees and our enthusiasm went up gradually.
Check in the hotel on Wednesday night, breakfast at the terrace on Thursday morning installing the bikes and out for our first ride on South African bottom.

Open Sesam

Many of our colleague riders arrived without their luggage. A lot of stress and dirty underwear later, it finally arrived today, two days later than the people. We were lucky, no delay on the flight and all our possessions by our side.

Time flies when you're having fun. That's what happens here, there is too little time.

But I am talking to much, I can summarize our day in just three words:

eating - riding - sleeping, aren't that the magical words of a sportsman?

And now please enjoy the pics!