An appeal by Kevin Evans and Max Knox (FedGroup Itec) against their one-hour penalty for taking an illegal shortcut in the Absa Cape Epic failed last night.
Riders head along the route during stage 4 of the 2014 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from The Oaks Estate in Greyton. Photo: Gary Perkin / Cape Epic / SPORTZPICS
The penalty effectively ended their pursuit of the red Africa jersey – for the first all-African team to finish – and they appeared to be taking it easy on Friday’s stage five.
Other riders complained after Evans apparently took a short cut across an uphill switchback on stage four.
The Commissaires Panel said in a statement that a protest had been made to the race office: “… it was stated that a member of team 13 (Kevin Evans) deviated from the course (took a shortcut) and in doing so gained an unfair advantage over other riders.
“Review of Go-Pro camera footage from the rider immediately behind the rider in question, as well as footage from team 13’s own Go-Pro (attached to the bicycle of the accused rider) confirms that the incident occurred, and that an unfair advantage was gained.”
Click here to see the recorded footage of the alleged incident.
