Cycling: This year's Absa Cape Epic is in the starting blocks and in just three days the marathon world elite is on its way to conquer the almost 750 kilometers. The women's starting field is the strongest in recent years and is packed with world and European champions and Olympic champions.
This year's Absa Cape Epic features an unprecedented number of top-class women's teams. The decision to align the women's prize money with that of the men seems to have motivated the female riders and so several women from the UCI world ranking list are at the start. Among them Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa. The Norwegian has already won all the major titles and, together with her teammate Kathrin Stirnemann, wants to set the reigning Cape Epic champions Annika Langvad and Ariane Kleinhans on fire.
“It's going to be an extremely tough race and it's completely different to what we usually do. For us it means enjoying and surviving. We'll see how we're doing after the eight days and where we stand, but it's definitely going to be a great adventure.", said Dahle-Flesjaa cautiously. However, those who know the Norwegian know that she is a real fighter and should be on the list of favorites at every race.
Kleinhans and Langvad appeared confident and highly motivated at yesterday's press conference. “We want to win the race. We are strong and well prepared." like Kleinhans.
However, you also have to face Esther Süss and Sally Bigham. The British-Swiss duo have already won the Cape Epic and have a lot of experience. They know what is important in Africa and will "Take stage by stage".