Cycling: The 2015 Absa Cape Epic is the last race for world-class biker Christoph Sauser that he wants to ride professionally. This fact alone would be enough for the Swiss to go for overall victory.
“For me, this year is all about winning”, said the Specialized rider at the Absa Cape Epic official press conference, "We had a very good preparation and we really want to win." His partner in Team Investec Songo Specialized, the rather reserved Olympic champion Jaroslav Kulhavy, was also clear: "Christoph wants to be at the top of his latest epic, we are the favorites and I will do everything to support him in that." After the Epic, Sauser will retire from pro racing.
Several strong teams want to challenge the two for overall victory, including the new pairing with last year's winner Kristian Hynek and Alban Lakata (Topeak Ergon). The “Albinator” already has a lot of Epic experience and dropped out last year due to a torn Achilles tendon before the race. Hynek's 2014 partner Robert Mennen is making his debut with American Jeremiah Bishop, although the two will ride more as Hynek/Lakata support. "I'm not XNUMX% fit yet", said Mennen, "at least not as fit as last year."
The former marathon world champion Lakata is expecting a podium finish, "after the years of bad luck we've earned a bit of luck," said the Tyrolean. Victory in the Andalucian Bike Race a few days ago underlines the ambition and the good form of Hynek and Lakata.
José Hermida (Multivan Merida) had the laughs on his side: “We want to be taken seriously at the Absa Cape Epic”, said the lively Spaniard, who is known for his funny comments and sayings. With his Dutch partner Rudi van Houts, the cross-country specialist is always good for a stage win. "We want to ride in the leader's jersey at least once," said Hermida, "even if it's after the prologue."
Four-time Epic winner from Team Bulls, Karl Platt and his Swiss partner Urs Huber are optimistic on Sunday. “This year is very special”, said Platt, "Because there are five to six teams that are good for the overall win, that will be an exciting story."
The second Bulls team with Simon Stiebjahn/Tim Böhme, who finished third overall last year, are definitely also contenders for the podium. The German Jochen Käß, who drove well in 2014, competes with the Austrian Daniel Geismayr (Centurion Vaude), since his partner from the previous year, Markus Kaufmann, is out after a broken collarbone. “We rode the Swiss Epic together and finished second, which shows that Daniel and I can work well together”, said Kaess.
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