The Absa Cape Epic is without question the most infamous and prestigious marathon race in the world. There were quite a few surprises this year. In addition to the somewhat atypical weather, it was above all the countless defects of the top teams that provided the extra dose of excitement. Above all, the sporting gesture on the part of Markus Kaufmann and Jochen Käß, in which they selflessly made their own wheels available to Robert Mennen and Kristian Hynek, will go down in the history books of the Cape Epic. We have summarized some of these moments here in a small photo special.
#1 Sweltering heat, dusty trails - any rider who takes on the Cape Epic knows what to expect.
#2 Rudi van Houts and Jose Hermida won the prologue, but after the end of the first day they are more than an hour behind and can no longer participate in the race.
#3 The first few days were very atypical by South African standards. Heavy rain made the track extremely soft and there were many defects.
#4 A portrait that perfectly sums up the second day – mud and rain as far as the eye can see.
#6 Christoph Sauser started the race as one of the big favorites, but many defects prevented him and his partner Frantisek Rabon from taking the lead.
#7 Markus Kaufmann and Jochen Käß drove a strong race. However, a fall that broke Kaufmann's frame destroyed the chances of a win.
#8 The cool water was certainly not only tempting for the photographer. The drivers would certainly have liked to cool off.
Team Bulls' #9 Karl Platt crashed on Tuesday and was forced to throw in the towel on day four due to severe knee pain.
#10 Despite the sweaty stages, the riders were in high spirits – thumbs up.
#11 Nino Schurter and his partner Philip Buys were a force to be reckoned with, especially on the slightly shorter stages. They are the only team to win two stages.
#12 There were a few thorns hidden in the bushes, so there were minor injuries in the event of a fall.
#13 Markus Kaufmann and Jochen Käß selflessly help the leading Mennen and Hynek so that they can stay in the race and maintain the lead.
#14 The drivers desperately needed a cool down after the fifth day. In the sweltering heat of South Africa, 110 kilometers had to be conquered.
#15 A beautiful follower by Lukas Flückiger.
#16 The drivers quickly reached the 60 km/h mark on the long, flat sections.
#17 Annika Langvad and Ariane Kleinhans dominated the women's ranking. Six out of seven stages went to her at the end of the Cape Epic.
#18 Crossing the finish line in Lourensford turned into a big spectacle...
#19…in which Robert Mennen and Kristian Hynek were duly celebrated. They are the winners of the 2014 Absa Cape Epic.
#20 Next year the twelfth edition of the Cape Epic will take place and again the riders will go to the utmost of their strength to secure the title of what is probably the most important Mtb marathon race.