Sport

2010 Cape Epic route unveiled

Brad Morgan

6 November 2009

A new route has been unveiled for the 2010 Absa Cape Epic, the eight-day race that leads amateur and pro mountain bikers from around the world through roughly 800 kilometres of Western Cape wildnerness and up about 16 000 metres of climbing over some of the most magnificent passes in Africa.

The race has attracted some of the world's leading mountain bikers in the past, including two-time overall winner of the UCI World Cup Christoph Sauser, South Africa's under-23 world champion Burry Stander, and former Olympic silver medal winner José Antonio Hermida.

The 2010 race begins on 21 March at Diemersfontein, home of South Africa's original Coffee Pinotage and the annual Pinotage on Tap Festival, in the heart of the Wellington wine region.

Day one covers 117 kilometres to Ceres and includes 2 190 metres of climbing.

There will be some tough early climbing, but near the conclusion of the stage the riders will be rewarded with some eye-catching vistas over the Tulbagh and Wolsley valleys. However, the final 12 kilometres won't be easy: it comprises a 12-kilometre long railway line section over iron sleepers and sharp stones.

Ceres

Day two features a 90-kilometre stage that starts and finishes in Ceres. There will be a staggered start and short, sharp early climbs are expected to further split the field. At Eselfontein, the riders will take to single-track.

Three loops will be ridden, each including a number of climbs and descents, as well as some smooth forest single track.

Stage three, on 23 March, again starts and finishes in Ceres. It will be 115 kilometres in length and includes 2 280 metres of climbing. The toughest part of the stage, and possibly of the entire race, will be a mountain climb and descent.

The first part of the climb features a 12 percent gradient which gradually becomes steeper. After a short flat section the gradient rises to as much as a stiff 25 percent.

The reward for reaching the summit is a spectacular 360-degree view. Heading downhill, the descent is long and technical. It's a stage that is expected to be very testing.

To Worcester

Ceres is left behind on stage four, when the competitors take an 86-kilometre ride to Worcester.

It starts pretty easily, with 35 kilometres of forgiving farms roads. A couple of climbs and descents follow – not too testing – before a tough two-kilometre climb up the Boesmansberg. The stage finishes with a fast descent into Worcester.

Stage five, which starts and finishes in Worcester, is a 27-kilometre long time trial, which includes 860 metres of climbing.

Teams set off at intervals of 30 seconds, in reverse order of their ranking in the general classification.

The route forms a figure of eight, passing through the foothills of Brandwacht and along the western side of Worcester. Although the distance is short, it includes a relatively tough amount of climbing. Nonetheless, the stage will provide riders with a chance to recover and prepare for the next day.

2009 in reverse

Stage six will include doing some of the 2009 route in reverse. It covers 123 kilometres from Worcester to Oak Valley.

The climbs along the way are short, but the gradients reach as much as 26 percent. Heading towards the Theewaterskloof Dam, the course passes canals and orchards before breaking into some single-track.

It continues into the Cape Nature Conservation area Groenlandberg. Even when the going is relatively flat, the going is tough and slow in sandy conditions. Near the end of the stage there is some fun to be had on fast and flowing single-tracks in Thandi and Oak Valley.

Oak Valley

Stage seven, on 27 March, starts and finishes in Oak Valley. It is 99 kilometres in length and includes 2 160 metres of climbing.

It starts out tough, with the challeng of some short sharp hills before a long descent past the Houwhoek Inn into Botriver leads the competitors into some fast gravel roads that pass through farmlands.

The day's biggest test comes with the climb up to the Lebanon Highlands Plantation, which includes a tough and steep section made up of loose gravel. Once that has been conquered, the climb becomes more forgiving.

At the top, the track will continue around the mountain to Houteq. From there, it is single-track, heading through Lebanon on the way to Oak Valley.

Final stage

The final stage is 65 kilometres in length, starting at Oak Valley and ending at the traditional finishing point at Lourensford.

Although the stage is relatively short, there is plenty of climbing – 1 640 metres of it – and the last day is anything but easy. Because of the short and sharp climbs there are plenty of beautiful views.

The route passes through the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, and skirts the Gamtoe Pass before heading for the finish.