The Absa Cape Epic: Stage 5 Day 6
Table talk with Team Cannondale Factory Racing XC
 |
| Henrique Avancini & Manuel Fumic in session/ Sean Lloyd |
Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini of Cannondale Factory Racing XC have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the 14th edition of the Absa Cape Epic. The public and the media rightfully dubbed as the 'underdogs' despite having little experience in this race format. They dominated the Epic from the prologue (March 19) and donned the Yellow Jersey for a record 5 days before losing it to team SCOTT-SRAM (Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann) when they dropped to 10th position on the day (March 24).
 |
| Sam Clark/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS |
The LAD was graced with the opportunity to chat to the Cannondale duo about dominating the stages, losing the yellow jersey to a team led by a Olympic gold medallist and how they still manage to keep the high spirits despite the challenges thrown at them.
Lee-Ann and Sean Lloyd: Thank you so much for joining us
Team Cannondale: Thank you!
The L.A Dosage: People have underestimated Team Cannondale and you have been regarded as the underdogs. Your impressions on that?
Manuel Fumic: I mean I wouldn't say we are the underdogs. I am one of the best in the world at what I do in terms of racing my bike so the others just underestimated us but we knew how to plan and be in control. Winning from prologue and the the 5 days straight, I think it was well-deserved with the way we were riding and winning the yellow jersey.
The L.A Dosage: Well this is your third epic. How do you feel like you have improved as an individual?
Manuel Fumic: Yes it is You know once you do your first epic, there's always going to be new things coming up which you don't know about because we don't have such races in for example, Europe and I think you need to do your first Epic in order for you to know what's coming up and you become more prepared for it as time goes.
 |
| Henrique Avancini/ Sean Lloyd |
Henrique Avancini: Yes last year was my first time and it was the first time Manny and I rode together. We did quite well because we finished 4th overall and got close to the podium although we did win the last stage. It was something new for us and it makes a huge difference. This year was a little different because we had a little more experience although we are not completely experienced in this type of race (epic). We really have a good balance and environment and a nice vibe around us and the team. Manny is not a specialist in this race but he's definitely the most talented at what he does. This kind of stage race suits me, I tried to come in a good shape. Its been tough but we are in the top 3 and that's very important.
The L.A Dosage: With that said, what normally goes through your minds when you are taking on these routes everyday?
Manuel Fumic: (laughs) that normally depends on how fast the start is, most of the time you are just looking at your handlebar digging deep but I thoroughly enjoy myself especially today (24/03) even though my partner was struggling. We rode through some unbelievable nature and I was just blown away by all these trails. If you are still able to look around while racing then you are definitely in a happy place if I can say.
The L.A Dosage: How do you guys managed to motivate each other to keep pushing like today for example when your partner was having a difficult time?
Manuel Fumic: (laughs) well I said I told him (Avancini) that it's going to be a red wine night (more laughs) so you should go faster. Honestly, it's never easy when your partner is struggling. At some point it does help to communicate just a little bit more when you have a rough time it also helps to leave him alone a little.
 |
| Manuel Fumic/ Sean Lloyd |
Henrique Avancini: We have all these rough moments at the stages, it can happen to anyone anytime. It was definitely my moment - it doesn't matter who your partner is. It's good to have an easygoing partner and Manny is very patient and he was exactly that for me today. Of course we weren't happy during the race but we just wanted to finish the crossing line because it was a very long day. (24/03)
The L.A Dosage: So as we all know most of this race is very competitive with Investec-Songo-Specialized being the title chasers. Do you guys feel the pressure with Sauser specifically coming out of retirement to chase a 6th win?
Manuel Fumic: Ja, if you look overall then for sure because they were chasing us for 5 days straight. For them, the epic is like the Olympics or the world championships. For Susie it's definitely important, more like life or death whereas for us it's just another race. So in the end, we did show up in good but we weren't fully prepared because we didn't know the route. For Susie, this is like his neighbourhood and he knows every trail and so forth. He is the one who is under pressure, not us. We are still super successful and no team has done what we've done since we started. We are really happy with what we've achieved.
 |
| Avancini and Fumic/Shaun Roy/Cape Epic/SPORTSPICZ |
The L.A Dosage: You guys have mentioned before that it is very important for you to have fun while you are racing. How important is that in general and how do you manage to keep the fun with all the pressure around?
Henrique Avancini: I generally like to enjoy myself in whatever I am doing from training to riding bikes. We like to keep the ball rolling when it comes to an event like the Cape Epic, although we can be pushed very hard. We always like to have a laugh after every stage although today was impossible because I was out of energy (laughs). It was very difficult but either way we still enjoyed ourselves. So that is very important in any stage race - and life in general.
Manuel Fumic: Some of them shouldn't really be thaaaaat competitive because that really kills the fun aspect of the sport. You just have to show up with your best mate because that's who your partner is and just relax yourselves a bit. They all just looking at the numbers all the time. Some of them have families and jobs and these 8 days should be of enjoyment more than anything else.
The L.A Dosage: And we have also noticed that the ladies are giving you guys an awful lot of attention *winks*
Both laugh out loud!
 |
| Fumic's bike/Sean Lloyd |
The L.A Dosage: Speaking of which, what sort of training does one going into in terms of preparing for a race like the Cape Epic?
Henrique Avancini: Ah! We do a lot of normal training (Fumic chirps in) I just want to say that we are not formally prepared for the epic (Back to Avancini) I think the only thing we changed this year is that spent two weeks training together here in a different area (both) to get a balance between us. (Fumic) this definitely helps us to get a balance between us and get to understand our strengths and weaknesses.
 |
| Manuel Fumic/ Sean Lloyd |
The L.A Dosage: What are your plans after the epic?
Manuel Fumic: (laughs) Pfft well that's when our real season starts to be honest. For me, personally the Epic is a way for me to prepare for my season and that's in cross-country mountain biking. I start in Europe whilst I am back home where I will be competing against the top cross-country guys.
Henrique Avancini: I have decided to switch for this season so I will have cross-country and then endurance races hence I decided to switch my focus a little and have some new challenges for the season; and will see how it goes.
The L.A Dosage to Avancini: With you coming from Brazil, how different are the trails from the ones here in Cape Town?
Henrique Avancini: Oh from my area specifically, it rains a lot more so the ground is a bit more compact but there are some similarities especially around here in Oak Valley. I really enjoy riding this race because I get to experience this kind of scenery which takes me back home. (Fumic chips in with a laugh). You are definitely feeling at home today. (everyone laughs).
The L.A Dosage: In general, for someone who doesn't know mountain biking how would you describe it in 3 words?
Manuel Fumic: Mmmm. . . 3 words? I would say 1. Spending a lot of time in nature 2. Getting fresh air in your head and 3. Having a lot of fun while mountain-biking.
Henrique Avancini: 1. Challenging 2. Fun and 3. Self Knowledge
We thank Team Cannondale and their management for making this interview possible, and a special thanks to Sean Lloyd for being onboard with the photography. Teamwork definitely makes the dream work.
 |
| Team Cannondale and The L.A Dosage editor/ Sean Lloyd |
Till next time. . .
Stay tuned!
Comments
Post a Comment