Cape Epic veterans Andrew Mclean and David Cooke will be partners for the first time in the eight-day mountain bike event which starts on March 15 – and they believe they have what it takes to win the masters category.
Andrew Mclean (third from left) and David Cooke (fourth from left), who won last year’s vets race at Wines2Whales, will be partners for the first time in the Cape Epic, which starts on March 15. Photo: Supplied
Mclean has 10 Epics under his belt and has claimed 25 stage wins and three overall victories, while Cooke has competed in six with a best result of 34th overall in 2015.
“Andrew and I have been training together for many years. We raced in the 2019 sani2c and Wines2Whales vet category and won both races,” said the 43-year-old Cooke.
He added that there were a few factors which made his partnership with Mclean, 55, work.
“Andrew and I have the identical race temperament. He also has over 30 years of professional racing experience and goes uphill fast and I go downhill fast.
“Our different racing styles complement our race strategy and goals.
“We aim to win the masters category,” said Cooke, who will race under the Cycle Lab banner.
He says they plan to maintain momentum throughout the testing event by simply taking each day as it comes.
“Every second counts. It’s important to focus, maintain and recover.”
Cooke said every stage would be a challenge.
“The Epic is the most challenging MTB race in the world.
“There aren’t easy stages. Every stage has its own unique challenges.
“Also, as each year passes the competition and level of riders increases. Our greatest obstacle will be the competition.”
Cooke, who has known Mclean for the past seven years, said there was one thing he was looking forward to most: “Winning the 2020 masters category with Andrew.”
