PROLOGUE
17 MARCH
TECHNICAL
TERRAIN
1000
800
600
UCT XC
Track
400
Deer
Park
Quarry
Climb
Plum Pudding
Dead Man’s Tree
Newlands
Forest
200
0
0
2
4
6
Cape Town
8
RATING
WHERE TO WATCH
First team departs: 06.40am
UCI women depart: 10.40am
UCI men depart: 11.45am
A UCT XC Track (2km)
Distance from race village: 1km
First rider: 06.50am*
Last rider: 12.45pm*
B Deer Park (10km)
This new vantage point is alongside
the Deer Park Pump Track in the
shade of the pine forest and is the
most readily accessible vantage
point of the entire race.
Distance from race village: 10km
First rider: 07.25am*
Last rider: 13.00pm*
C Dead Man’s Tree (12km)
Probably the most iconic vantage
point, Dead Man’s Tree provides
a natural amphitheatre from which
to view the race, where riders crest
the steep dual track climb from
Deer Park and turn on to Table
Mountain Road. Pack cow
bells, vuvuzelas, sunscreen and
refreshments, along with a wide
brimmed hat. It is sure to be festive.
Distance from race village: 12km
First rider: 07.35am*
Last rider: 13.10pm*
D Newlands Forest (19.5km)
Walk across from the UCT XC Track
or the race village to this point where
riders descend through the Prologue’s
fi nal singletrack at close quarters.
Distance from race village: 2km
First rider: 07.55am*
Last rider: 13.20pm*
Prizegiving: 13.45pm
*Predicted times only
10
12
14
16
18
21
Cape Town
21KM BREAKDOWN
Singletrack: 1.9km, 9%
Farm road: 13.1km, 62%
Tar road: 6km, 29%
RACE PREDICTION
History tells us to be ready for an upset. Absa
Cape Epic Prologues have surprised fans
over the years, with the podiums occupied by
teams barely getting a mention in the media’s
list of favourites. Sure, the big names make
an appearance, but there’s always one team
that makes the bookmakers cringe. Sports
betters will certainly not be getting good odds on Sam Gaze and Alan Hatherly
(Specialized Foundation) for a win. This is their kind of eff ort and terrain, and few,
if any, can match their power and pace. SCOTT-SRAM’s split times are also worth
watching closely, as are race favourites Investec-Songo-Specialized.
Annika Langvad and Anna van der Breggen will
want to send a clear message to contenders.
They’ll open up the taps on the wider, straighter
sections, rather than try shave a few seconds
with do-or-die cornering on the loose surfaces,
but all eyes will be on the inexperienced
Dutchwoman when the pair reach the tricky
Plum Pudding section. Maja Włoszczowska will also be chomping at the bit, so
it’s up to Ariane Lüthi to pull on the reins to remind her it’s a long week ahead.
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN
Cape Town has recently been voted the World’s
Leading Events and Festival Destination at the World
Travel Awards in Portugal. It is because of events such
as the Absa Cape Epic – one of the mainstays of Cape
Town’s events calendar – that the city has received this
accolade. The Cape Epic brings together thousands of
people from across the world to enjoy this spectacle
in our beautiful city and other parts of the Western
Cape. It is always wonderful to see the city’s quieter
roads and mountain slopes transformed into a
playground and arena for the riders. The joy the competition brings to
mountain bike enthusiasts is equally shared by the supporters watching on
the sidelines and at home. The City of Cape Town is proud to support the
Absa Cape Epic, which provides entertainment for viewers and spectators,
enormous benefi ts to our local economy and skills opportunities for our
residents. It gives me great pleasure to welcome the local and international
participants, supporters and staff of the Epic. May you have a great ride
and take time to enjoy the many other off erings in our beautiful Cape Town
and the Western Cape. Here’s to another successful year!
DAN PLATO
Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town
The Untamed African MTB Race | MTB | 147