Kirsten eyes Epic hat-trick
The 2018 Absa Cape Epic will kick off with a lung-busting 600m climb up Table Mountain.
Enjoyment at the Absa Cape Epic comes through preparation and taking no shortcuts for Gary Kirsten, the former Proteas cricketer who will take part in Africa’s Untamed African MTB Race for the third time in 2018.
Kirsten, one of the sporting greats and celebrities who will be riding for Team Land Rover, has been doing most of his training on Table Mountain, where the Cape Epic will start with a Prologue on March 18, 2018. The 20km of the opening day of the race will see participants climbing 600 metres in just 20km as they take in the lung-busting climb to Dead Man’s Tree.
“I certainly know every riding trail that exists on Table Mountain, but I’m not sure that will help on race day,” said Kirsten. “There are some fairly steep sections but I can’t think of a better place to start the Absa Cape Epic in 2018. It’s an iconic African landmark.”
The Absa Cape Epic last visited Table Mountain in 2015, and this, the 15th edition of the race, will take the riders along 658km of some of the Western Cape’s most beautiful and challenging terrain, with 13 530m of climbing, including four consecutive days of over 100km.
Kirsten is a relative newcomer to the sport, having only taken up mountain biking three years ago. With his team sponsoring the Land Rover Technical Terrain sections, where riders’ skills and composure will be tested on tricky descents and challenging single-track, the first being the steep descent down Plum Pudding, the former opening batsman has been getting in some skills training, working on his cornering and descending. Even though this will be his third Epic, he is taking nothing for granted.
“There are no short cuts to getting oneself prepared enough to enjoy the event, which is my goal,” Kirsten said. “My training will not change much, I love getting onto the mountain as regularly as possible. I try do between eight to 10 hours of riding a week, with at least two weekend multi-stage races included in my training for the Absa Cape Epic.
“It’s about getting time in the saddle and doing as much climbing as I can find,” he said. “I have not done any gym training, but try and go for a run every now and then. I do think running helps when you have limited time.”
Kirsten, who guided India to victory as their coach in the 2011 World Cup, was regarded as patient, calm and wise, imparting advice when it was most needed. His advice to first-time riders of the Epic is the same that he received before he made his debut.
“My best advice based on my experience would be to ride as regularly as you can, even if it is not long distance. Train the hills wherever you can find them. Try find the balance between a normal existence and training, you don’t have to be obsessive about it,” he added. “Like I said, I really want to enjoy it and become part of the Amabubesi club.”
Kirsten and his Cape Epic partner and friend, Roddy van Breda, will take part in stage races in the Western Cape as part of their build-up, a vital part of establishing a riding partnership to see them through the eight days.
Former Springbok captain John Smit, who is also part of Team Land Rover, believes that balance is the key to successful training for the Cape Epic. This will be Smit’s fifth Absa Cape Epic, a journey he began in 2014, with the race now forming an integral part of his life.
“As a professional sportsman, you have the daily routine and the buzz of training and playing matches, and a lot of us miss that when we retire,” said Smit. “As a rugby player, you have strength in your legs and body, and stamina to see you through a match, but this is different training, a new challenge.
“That’s what sport should be – a new challenge all the time, and the Epic gives us that.”
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
