PHOTOGRAPHS SPORTOGRAF , IRMO KEIZER , SEBASTIAN SCHIECK , SUPPLIED
As the youngest team at the 2021 Absa Cape Epic , Daniel van der Walt and Johan van Zyl are determined to ride to their full potential . Just 20 years old , Daniel van der Walt is realising a lifelong dream of participating in the Cape Epic . His inspiration and role model as an aspiring youngster in the sport was Burry Stander . The times spent with Burry are still etched in his brain . Nino Schurter would also be a big influence in Daniel ’ s life as he dreamt of being a professional cyclist . However , in later years he has drawn his motivation through the mentorship of Alan Hatherly , who has made him believe in his own ability . Daniel has won three SA XCO Championships , two African Continental Championships and multiple SA Cup Series . He says that winning the two African Continental titles came at critical junctures in his career , which convinced him to continue chasing the dream today . As a Junior he reached a career ranking high of second on the UCI World Rankings and has broken into the top 20 early on in his U23 career . Daniel has also represented SA at four consecutive World Championships . His ambition at the Cape Epic is to podium in the African Jersey category , while secretly dreaming of maybe snatching a stage win in the category if he and Johan can somehow find the energy so early in their careers .
Also just 20 is Johan van Zyl . Johan is an all-in rider known for his mental toughness . With a SA XCM title to his name , he has also podiumed in three SA Championships and an African Continental Championships . He is proud to have represented his country at two World Championships but his biggest moment was finishing 22nd at the UCI World Cup in Lenzerheide , Switzerland after starting in position 54 . Johan is fulfilling a life-long dream by participating with the world ’ s best at UCI World Cups , where he would watch his heroes as a youngster . He loves the passion of the spectators and the vibe of the venues in some of the most beautiful places on earth . His ambition at the Cape Epic is simple , finish first and then a spot on the African Jersey podium would be awesome .
Tim Bassingthwaighte
Lance Stephenson
Nico Pfitzenmaier
Johan van Zyl
THE SUPPORT CREW
No team is complete without an incredible support cast . Heading up the team as manager is Tim Bassingthwaighte . No stranger to the Cape Epic , Tim worked with teams in both 2017 and 2018 . He does however stress that he is still in search of the leaders ’ jerseys . Tim has worked in mountain bike team management since 2016 after completing degrees in Sports Science and Management . Currently contracted to a UCI Gravity Team , Tim also assists the Computer Mania MTB Racing Team with its marketing and public relations work .
Lance Stephenson will be the technical manager for both teams . Having previously owned a bike shop , Lance is a Master Wheel Builder and UCI Mountain Bike Coach and worked as a mechanic for the Dimension Data road team for two years . Lance will bring experience , expertise and a sense of calmness to the team .
The Epic is brutal on an athlete ’ s body and who better than Nico Pfitzenmaier to be the conditioning manager for both teams . Having won four previous Cape Epics in both the mixed and veteran categories , Nico has a complete understanding of the physical requirements . An expert in body alignment , Nico is a previous World Masters Champion and a top three athlete on the Xterra European circuit .
Daniel van der Walt
THE TEAM IS READY AND THE 2021 CAPE EPIC AWAITS . CHALLENGE ACCEPTED , SEE YOU THERE . Thank you to our sponsors who make all of this possible : Computer Mania , Cannondale , Thule , Giro , Triple Crown Sports , Enjoy , Enduro Bearings , CWC , Maxxis , Enduren , 30South , Opro , Squirt Cycling Products , JIP Vervoer , Sox Footwear and CSE .
watch them go ! | MTB | 13