Cape Epic 2009 is under way!
And I'm wishing I was in South Africa doing it! Well, maybe not! I'm totally out of shape and just came back from a month's trip to Australia and New Zealand. But this year's race looks pretty sweet and it seems to get better every year. For such a young race I can't believe how well these guys pull it off. The Prologue was on Saturday and started in Capetown at Table Mountain. Ok, not on Table Mountain but around it. As you may recall, last year's Prologue was in Knysna, a really great town in itself, but about 500km to the east. I had to rent a car to get out there after missing my booked shuttle bus by a day due to United's cancelled flight. (which reminds me... I never did get reimbursed for my expenses for having to stay an extra day in SF)
While only 6 US teams are competing this year (must be the economy) a quick look at the start list and you can see this race is still growing in popularity. Former pro cyclist and Tour de France vet Udo Boelts, mtn bike legend Tinker Jaurez are among the racers along with some of the names you would expect like World Mtn Bike champ Christoph Sauser, Olympic gold medalist Bart Brentjens (who at 40 can still bring it), local favorites David George and Kevin Evans, and of course those teams of Bulls. The pro triathletes are getting in the mix with top Ironman Pros Faris Al Saltan and Werner Leitner have teamed up (team Storck). Last year's winners Roel Paulisson and Jakob Fuglsang are not there to defend. Alison Sydor is not going to defend her title however is back to compete as a mixed team with half of last year's mixed team winner Nico Pfitzenmaier. The other half, Ivanna Kraft has teamed up with Lukas Kubis. A little swap to make it interesting? Top American endurance racer Rebecca Rusch (who I rode with for a short period while we were both partnerless during last year's race) is also competing in the mixed team category.
Of course, I have to give a shout out to my amateur friends mixing it up with the pros...
Ronny Roelandt (2XtremeMasters #40-1)- my Belgium friend that I met last year. Make sure your cassette is tightened this time!
Rich Bartlett and Doug Andrews (Block/Geoladders.com #215-1, -2) - my friend from Block Shop (Lancaster, CA) and his entrepreneurial teammate who raced strong last year. Rich no riding singlespeed!
Dylan Chilcott (Dunkeld Cycles #145-1) - You have no excuses with that awesome massage team
Jonny Rondash? Where are you? DNS? dude, you should have called me up!
Speaking of massage teams, Jeannette and Amori - I will miss you guys this year! Keep the boys healthy and running!
Good luck to all!
While only 6 US teams are competing this year (must be the economy) a quick look at the start list and you can see this race is still growing in popularity. Former pro cyclist and Tour de France vet Udo Boelts, mtn bike legend Tinker Jaurez are among the racers along with some of the names you would expect like World Mtn Bike champ Christoph Sauser, Olympic gold medalist Bart Brentjens (who at 40 can still bring it), local favorites David George and Kevin Evans, and of course those teams of Bulls. The pro triathletes are getting in the mix with top Ironman Pros Faris Al Saltan and Werner Leitner have teamed up (team Storck). Last year's winners Roel Paulisson and Jakob Fuglsang are not there to defend. Alison Sydor is not going to defend her title however is back to compete as a mixed team with half of last year's mixed team winner Nico Pfitzenmaier. The other half, Ivanna Kraft has teamed up with Lukas Kubis. A little swap to make it interesting? Top American endurance racer Rebecca Rusch (who I rode with for a short period while we were both partnerless during last year's race) is also competing in the mixed team category.
Of course, I have to give a shout out to my amateur friends mixing it up with the pros...
Ronny Roelandt (2XtremeMasters #40-1)- my Belgium friend that I met last year. Make sure your cassette is tightened this time!
Rich Bartlett and Doug Andrews (Block/Geoladders.com #215-1, -2) - my friend from Block Shop (Lancaster, CA) and his entrepreneurial teammate who raced strong last year. Rich no riding singlespeed!
Dylan Chilcott (Dunkeld Cycles #145-1) - You have no excuses with that awesome massage team
Jonny Rondash? Where are you? DNS? dude, you should have called me up!
Speaking of massage teams, Jeannette and Amori - I will miss you guys this year! Keep the boys healthy and running!
Good luck to all!
posted by WOO. @ 9:47 PM
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