Hungarian cross-country mountain biker Barbara Benko has teamed up with Dutch cyclist Anne Terpstra for the eight-day Cape Epic, which kicks off on March 15.
The 30-year-old Benko has twice competed in the Wines2Whales and Tankwa Trek, but will be tackling the daunting Epic for the first time.
“Actually, I always wanted to do the Epic but never really had the perfect partner or support team to do it. I wanted to do it properly or not at all,” she said.
Benko, a 30-time national champion across road, cross-country, cross-country marathon and cyclocross, says with Terpstra and Ghost Factory Racing she believes she has found the perfect match.
Barbara Benko (left) has teamed up with Anne Terpstra for the eight-day Cape Epic, which starts on March 15. Photo: Supplied
“The Cape Epic is not a race you just do,” said the 29-year-old Terpstra, a five-time national cross-country champion also eager to tick the race off on her bucket list.
“I know Barbara always wanted to compete in it and of course it was on my wish list for a long time, too. But as Barbara said, you want to have the perfect conditions when you go to the Epic start line.”
Terpstra added that she also used to be a bit afraid of the Epic, so she never thought seriously about racing it.
“But after racing with Barbara a couple of times now, being in South Africa and knowing the area a little bit, coming off an amazing 2019 season and after some good talks with the team, I think I (and we as a team as well) am more than ready for it now.”
Regarding the Tokyo 2020 Olympics later this year, Benko said many would think it was risky to race the Epic in an Olympics year.
“Which is right, maybe. You never know how you will come out of the race. But to be honest, I trust my coach 120%.
“He will prepare me for the race and give me the best plan possible to recover afterwards, so I can start the actual World Cup season on a high. This year it only starts in May, so there is time to recover and be ready for the Olympics.”
