You have seen #8DaysOfCourage trend all over twitter the past week, tracking the progress of the gruelling Cape Epic. Local and international riders put themselves to the ultimate test by tackling the seven-stage race. This year the route was 654 km and included more climbing per kilometre for the competitors to conquer.
After eight days of punishing routes and hard riding, the incredible race came to an end yesterday. Karl Platt and Urs Huber of Team Bulls claimed overall victory of the 2016 Cape Epic with an overall time of 28:13.28,4. According to Sport24, Platt is the second person to win the Cape Epic five times.
In the Women’s category, Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad of Spur-Specialized sealed their third successive title, finishing at 33:30.48,0. With all the training, mental and physical preparation, a race like this takes more than eight days of courage, it takes a year. All the riders spend a long time preparing for the Cape Epic, and should feel proud of the phenomenal task they accomplished by finishing.
Here are some pictures from the Cape Epic’s #8DaysOfCourage:
The first riders are off with a sprint towards the hills of @meerendalwine! #8DaysOfCourage #2016AbsaCapeEpic pic.twitter.com/LXVWUeaOwH
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 13, 2016
Mechanicals testing some riders’ resolve very early in the race #2016AbsaCapeEpic #8DaysOfCourage pic.twitter.com/okYu3JVkKZ
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 13, 2016
Aerial shot of @WaylonWoolcock & @DarrenLill @USNSA #8DaysOfCourage pic.twitter.com/ghvwlh7mEi
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 14, 2016
Utter exhaustion for Damiano from @TrekBikes pic.twitter.com/aBd9UabOBx
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 14, 2016
#EPIC100 pic.twitter.com/AOr27umhHI
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 15, 2016
Making their way to the finish line @TeamTopeakErgon @IronSally1 #SasolEpicWomen pic.twitter.com/q49Rn7NZVO
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 15, 2016
Q & A with Race Founder @kevin_vermaak on riding his 1st Absa Cape Epic… https://t.co/bP4mrM3yLI #8DaysOfCourage pic.twitter.com/ekO3aY8RZx
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 18, 2016
RACE 7:22 The men climb through the vineyards. All main contenders together pic.twitter.com/BnZBqd2fCE
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 19, 2016
Retweet if you’re looking forward to finishing your race or welcoming your heroes home at @meerendalwine today… pic.twitter.com/nnaaIzWllq
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 20, 2016
Emotional three-peat for @ArianeKleinhans and @AnnikaLangvad @Team_Spur #SasolEpicWomen https://t.co/kkRh1LktCF pic.twitter.com/GkvBqKaQG4
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 20, 2016
.@Plattos claims fifth Absa Cape Epic crown… https://t.co/TQKctviPW7 #8DaysOfCourage @TeamBulls @huber_urs pic.twitter.com/iMPCfrmHTl
— Cape Epic (@CapeEpic) March 20, 2016
Photography courtesy Cape Epic
What a gret finish !