Far away from the tights, cameras and action at the front end of the Absa Cape Epic field a whole different sort of rider will be making their way across 718km of less-than-hospitable countryside.
Alain Prost and Sebastian di Pasqua. Photo: Greg Beadle
The eight-day stage race, besides being regarded as the world championship of stage racing, is a testing ground for ordinary mountain bikers hoping just to complete one of the toughest endurance events in the world.
This year the race has again attracted household names wanting to be able to wear a Cape Epic finisher’s shirt. They include a Formula One world champion, four former Springbok rugby players (three of whom are World Cup winners), a Superbike world champion and… one of the world’s most fashionable men.
The Grand Prix guy is four times Formula One world champion Alain Prost – the Frenchman known during his racing years as “the Professor” – who will be back for his third Epic and again teaming up with top international water-skier Sebastien di Pasqua, the European jump record holder from Switzerland.
A name familiar to motorcycling fans will be American Ben Bostrom, winner of the Superbike World championship in 2000. Also at the start line in Lourensford on March 23 will be Jonas Colting, the Swede who has won the Hawaii Ultraman twice.
Those with an eye for aesthetics in cycling kit might want to watch out for Rafael Medina Abascal, the 20th Duke of Feria. A descendant of Spanish royalty, he founded a successful men’s fashion line in Europe and was included in Vanity Fair’s international best-dressed list in 2007.
The Springbok rugby players are John Smit, Butch James, Joel Stransky (all world Cup winners) and Stefan Terblanche. Smit is the only forward among them… in a sport that traditionally favours smaller competitors.
Canoeing legends Willem van Riet, Andre Collins and Graham Monteith – all Berg Marathon winners in their time – have swopped paddles for pedals and will be hoping to cross the finish line on March 30. Collins and van Riet are riding together.
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