Absa Cape Epic Encourages Entries Into The Cape Times Vigne à Vigne

Added: 08.02.2007

Call for Entries Issued for 2007 Cape Times Vigne à Vigne

Cape Town, 8 February 2007: This March, 1 086 mountain bike riders from around the world will converge on the Western Cape to participate in the world's largest, full-service mountain bike stage race - the Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas. This eight day race will see amateur and professional riders cover a distance of up to 130 kilometres per day, with the entire route spanning 886 kilometres. Riders will be challenged to a total climb of 15 045 metres as they move through some of the Western Cape's most rugged and remote terrain.

For those who are not participating in the full race, organisers of the Absa Cape Epic are putting out a call for entries into the Cape Times Vigne à Vigne. This is a one day mountain bike race that takes place on the Lourensford Wine Estate, the finish venue of the Absa Cape Epic, on the final day of the eight-day race, the 31 March. "The Cape Times Vigne à Vigne offers riders a taste of what the Absa Cape Epic is like. It's a one-day experience where riders can experience first-hand the charged atmosphere that surrounds the last stage of the race," explains Kevin Vermaak, founder of the Absa Cape Epic.

The Vigne à Vigne offers a short route of 22 kilometres or a long route of 50 kilometres, with a Kiddies Bike Adventure for children also taking place. The overall route forms a loop which starts and finishes in the Lourensford Wine Estate. Renowned amongst mountain bike riders for its spectacular riding terrain and breathtaking winelands scenery, Lourensford provides the perfect venue.

The race is timed so that the majority of the Vigne à Vigne riders will have returned before the first Absa Cape Epic riders reach the finish line. After a hard day of riding, participants will be soaking up the atmosphere and savouring their accomplishments with an afternoon of fine dining, champagne tasting, shady spots, beautiful scenery, helicopter flips and live entertainment from Goldfish, South Africa's hottest new electronic jazz duo.

Entry costs for the 22 kilometre race are R80, and R100 for the 50 kilometre version.

Platinum and Track Side Suites are available for corporate block bookings and provide covered dining areas, fine dining throughout the day, exclusive shower and massage facilities, optimal views of the finish line and include complimentary entries into the Cape Times Vigne à Vigne.
For more info on bookings and entries go to www.cape-epic.com

Issued by MËMO Communications
On Behalf of Absa Cape Epic
For more info contact Morice Wohlman
082 587 1730
morice@memocommunications.co.za

OR Genevieve Fisher
082 469 4550
genevieve@memocommunications.co.za


About the 2007 Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas

• The 2007 Absa Cape Epic starts in Knysna on Saturday 24 March and finishes at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West, on Saturday 31 March 2007.
• The Absa Cape Epic has within 4 years become not only the largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world, but also, globally, the most televised mountain bike event of all time.
• Since its inception the Absa Cape Epic has generated more than 3500 hours of international TV coverage in Europe, America, the Middle East and Africa.
• 42 nations will be represented at the 2007 Absa Cape Epic and riders travel from as far as Brazil, Canada, Norway, Hong Kong and Australia to join this unique team race.
• Amongst the entrants are Olympic gold medallists, world champions and reigning UCI World Cup champions.
• Riders compete in teams of two in one of four categories: Men, Ladies, Mixed and Masters (both riders must be 40 years or older).
• The Absa Cape Epic was the first ever team mountain bike stage race at which UCI points were awarded.
• The Absa Cape Epic and Exp. Sponsorship, Absa's sponsorship agency, were awarded the Gold award in the medium budget sponsorship category at the 2006 Business Times Marketing Excellence Awards.
• The 2007 Absa Cape Epic covers a total of 886 km's over eight days and 1086 riders will complete a total climb of 15 045 m's, which is the equivalent of riding nearly twice up Mount Everest.
• A new route is designed each year and is entirely off-road from Knysna to Lourensford Wine Estate.

For additional information please visit www.cape-epic.com