ABSA Cape EPIC Prologue 2025 starts at Meerendal
Sunday 16 March 2025
The ABSA Cape EPIC Prologue 2025 is back for a familiar Meerendal. Yet it was strange to see the riders’ tents pitched at the race village for the first time. Because the prologue, and stage 1, and the start of stage 2, will be hosted at Meerendal this year. Fortunately, no-one is riding down the steps this time. The weather on this curtain raiser which is the ABSA Cape EPIC Prologue 2025 was sublime, but the moment the clouds lifted later in the morning, the sun came down in true South African fashion.
Update on a couple of riders we follow
Chris – Yes, we were here 1st thing this morning to go and cheer on my friend and partner from the last 3 consecutive editions of the ABSA Cape Epic in 2022, 2023, 2024, Chris and Sean riding in Carrol Boyes kit this year, after some last-minute changes.
Jen – I also grabbed some pics of our Bolandcycletour and Tourdeboland rider Jennifer and her mixed partner, who finished quite well, despite Jen coming off the bike and over the handlebars where the A&B line split up on the prologue.
Jacques – Speaking of the A&B lines, another riding buddy Jacques van Deventer and his partner had some bad luck, and this after months of training and the hefty entry fee, as Riaan came off and x-rays revealed torn shoulder ligaments… so tomorrow Riaan will be strapped up like the Michelin man and we’re holding thumbs he continues.
Karl – Mr Platt had his birthday at Labori and is lining up for the Bulls Masters Legends team competing among Masters men and going to bed with top spot on the podium already. Always one for a glass of wine and some banter during presentations I’m sure he is having the time of his life on the bicycle yet again.
Mark – Mark Olivier is a true inspiration and I’m closely following his journey as he battles with prostate cancer yet still does amazing things every single day. Riding with Eugene in the Great Grand Masters Mens category watch out for team Valor Sentinals.
Michael – having met his partner Lisa just yesterday during a braai (before the Bok van Blerk fundraiser show at the local primary school) and learning of her late withdrawal and Michael’s new partner Hans, I’m keen to follow their progress and hope they have the best of weeks on the bicycle.
Kolisi foundation
Siya – oh captain my captain had been given the task of shooting the gun for the pro men’s start; and given an e-bike for a quick sprint up and down the start and finish line (not riding the whole EPIC). Maybe they should have given him a bigger bike and told him to look straight ahead and not jump the bridge. Because the last thing we want to read in the newspaper is ‘Siya broke Shoulder on Social ride!’
ABSA Cape EPIC UCI Men
Pros – Nino+Fillipo came 2nd for Scott-SRAM, Matt Beers 9th for Toyota-Songa, and German legends Lucas Baum end Georg Egger came in 6th place for Speed Company racing. and the only team that broke the magical 1hr mark and came in 1st place today was Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto for team Wilier-Vittoria.
And that was that for the ABSA Cape EPIC Prologue 2025. Onto the next one. Tomorrow is a long day in the saddle around Meerendal. Good luck boys. And girls. Follow the action live on the ABSA Cape EPIC website.
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PS, I also saw Debbi’s start, who sent her bicycle down with #bicyclecouriers, as always – and snapped a brilliant start line pic which I duly shared with her 😊
