Absa Cape Epic founder Kevin Vermaak will see the event from a different angle when he gets to take part for the first time in its 12-year existence next year.
Vermaak said it would be “a dream fulfilled” when the eight-day mountain bike stage race starts in the Western Cape on March 13.
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“Work commitments during the event itself have made it impossible for me to actually participate.
“Now we have an amazingly efficient team and the appointment of CEO Lynn Naudé has given me the space to train and take part in the event.”
He will ride alongside friend and six-time Cape Epic finisher Jakes Jakobsen.
“We met in the early days of the Epic and trained and raced Ironman Austria together,” said Jakobsen.
“We have also done some three-day stage races together and some Epic training rides over the years. Riding with the founder of the Epic is going to be a privilege and an amazing experience.”
Vermaak said he used to train for and do the trial ride to test the route in the early years of the event.
“Now though there is a team of route designers and mountain bikers on the Epic staff who handle it.
He described the growth of the event since its establishment in 2004 as an incredible journey.
“And riding it will be like putting the cherry on top. I’m looking forward to meeting my fellow riders and experiencing the event with them.”
