Who will take top honours at the 14th edition of the Cape Epic?

The most gruelling race in South Africa yet

(L-R) Alban Lakata, Kristian Hynek, Christoph Sauser, Urs Huber, Karl Platt

It’s going to be the strongest Absa Cape Epic field to date and the racing should be thrilling.

That’s the word from the world’s top marathon riders as they prepare for March’s eight-day challenge. Speaking at a Cape Town press conference on Wednesday (8 Feb) several of the race favourites were looking forward to a mighty battle. Defending champion and five-time winner Karl Platt of Team Bulls predicted that the racing would be “even more exciting than previous years”.

This year sees some tough contenders than previous years with Specialized- Investec Songo's Christoph Sauser coming out of retirement to claim a sixth title win, taking on his archrival Karl Platt of Team Bulls. Sauser will be joined by Czech Republic strongman, Jaroslav Kulhavy and Platt joined by equally determined Swissman Urs Huber.

American Jeremiah Bishop of Topeak Ergon said that the Cape Epic has the best marathon racers coming from around the world when asked for a comment at the press conference held at the Absa Cape Epic offices in Cape Town (8 February). 

Austrian strongman Alban Lakata and his Topeak Ergon teammate Kristian Hynek of the Czech Republic will be among the favourites. Lakata pointed to several possible contenders for the title: “Jaro (Kulhavy) and Susi (Christoph Sauser) are super strong. The Bulls guys know how to win it. The Scott guys are very good at descending and Nino (Schurter) has a lot of experience.”

This year will also see the debut of a support team in the women’s category, where defending champion Ariane Lüthi of Switzerland and her new partner, German Adelheid Morath, (Team Spur) will bank on backup from Frenchwoman Sabrina Enaux and Belgian Alice Pirard.

The various Cape Epic jerseys on display

The men's elite teams will be as follows: 

Investec-Songo-Specialized: 

Christoph Sauser (SUI) and Jaroslav Kulhavy (CZE)

Topeak Ergon:

Alban Lakata (AUSTRIA) and Kristian Hynek (CZE)

Team Topeak Ergon's backup will consist of Jeremiah Bishop (USA) and Erik Kleinhans (ZAR)

Bulls

Karl Platt (GER) and Urs Huber (SUI)

Team Bulls' backup will consist of Simon Stiebjhan (GER) and Tim Boehme (GER)

Some of the women's teams will be as follows: 

Ascendish Health: 

Robyn de Groot (ZAR) and Sabine Spitz (GER)

Meerendal CBC:

Esther Suss (SUI) and Jennie Stenerhag (SWE)

Dorma Kaba:

Candice Lill (ZAR) and Vera Adrian (NAM)

Spur:

Ariane Luthi (SUI) and Adel Morath (GER)

This year's route will follow these towns: Meerendal in Durbanville for the  Prologue, Hermanus, Greyton, Elgin, and Val de Vie in Paarl.

This year will have the following route:

Prologue: Start and finish- Meerendal Wine Estate (19/03)

Stage 1: Start and finish- Hermanus High School (20/03)

Stage 2: Start -Hermanus High School and finish - Elandskloof (21/03)

Stage 3: Start and finish- Elandskloof (22/03)

Stage 4: Start - Elandskloof and finish - Oak Valley (23/03)

Stage 5: Start and finish - Oak Valley (24/03)

Stage 6: Start and finish - Oak Valley (25/03)

Stage 7: Start- Oak Valley and finish - Val de Vie in Paarl (26/03)

** DISCLAIMER** The L.A Dosage team wishes all riders the best of luck as they prepare to take on the toughest race ever known to mankind.

The countdown to the Absa Cape Epic has officially begun.

Till next time. . .