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Epic: Flexible start location
24/07/2008 17:59 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The dramatic route revamp for the Absa Cape Epic 2009 announced earlier this month caused an uproar amongst mountain bike enthusiasts from around the world.
The new route sees a move away from the traditional "Knysna to Lourensford, Cape Town" 8-day journey of the past five years, to a route that will start in Gordon's Bay outside Cape Town, through the Western Cape, to the traditional finish venue at Lourensford. The event will kick off with a prologue in Cape Town
Reigning World and European Mountain Bike champion, Christoph Sauser, commented: "Knysna has been such a cool traditional start. Having the 2009 start in Cape Town will add a new, exciting experience to the race."
Since 2004, the Cape Epic has offered a completely different route from Knysna each year, and most riders felt that it evolved for the better, albeit tougher. Kevin Vermaak, director and founder of the Cape Epic and Cape Odyssey explained that there are "only so many different routes that exist between Knysna and Lourensford.
A new and flexible start location provides an opportunity to ride in new diverse areas and on previously un-ridden routes for many years to come".
Andrew Mclean feels that the new route is going to turn the Cape Epic into a true world class mountain bike race with a lot more scenic trails and less Karoo dirt roads.
Vermaak concluded by saying: "We've tweaked the format of the race each year to establish the Epic as the world's premier mountain bike stage race.
Starting the race in Cape Town is by far the biggest tweak so far, and we are confident that it will elevate the race to a whole new level."
- SAPA
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