Cape Epic to again feature time-trial

NEXT year’s Cape Epic cycling race will again feature what riders refer to as the “race of truth”.

The race – to be held from March 18 to 25 – will again feature a time-trial, which is ultimately aimed at separating the wheat from the chaff.

“The last Absa Cape Epic to feature a time-trial was in 2010‚” race director Kati Csak said of the 39km – with 1 430m of climbing – time-trial in Wellington‚ the majority of which will be on the trails of the Welvanpas Guest Farm.

“We have reintroduced a time-trial this year to change things up and also to give the leading racers an opportunity to attack their rivals.

“If a team had managed to secure a decent lead by this stage, the members would normally simply mark their rivals’ attacks‚ but you cannot do that on a time-trial,” Csak said.

The race – won last year by Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann, of team Scott-Sram MTB Racing – will again start with a prologue on the slopes of Table Mountain, after an absence of three years.

Next year’s race will make stops in Robertson‚ Worcester and Wellington and finish at the Val de Vie Estate in the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley.

Riders will spend three nights in Robertson for the first three stages‚ with a transition stage to Worcester‚ where they will stay for one night.

From Wellington, there is a mad dash to Val de Vie‚ which will be the home for the race climax for the next five years.

“We believe the route team have come up with a balanced ride‚” Csak said. “Some days will suit the strong climbers and others will play into the hands of the skilled technical riders.

“Some days will favour riders able to grind it out for hours on end‚ but those with more explosive power will also be eyeing stages where they could strike,” she said.

The total distance of 658km – with 13 530m of climbing – will include four consecutive days of 100km and a final stage that is far from an easy roll.

Unlike in the past‚ there is nothing ceremonial about the final stage – with riders having to cover 70km from Wellington to Val de Vie, with 2 000m of climbing.