Last year, the Cape Epic title defense did not last long: Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann had to give up the race. Stirnemann was already plagued by an illness at the start of the race, making it impossible to continue. Andri Frischknecht and Michiel Van der Heijden also had to abandon the race last year due to a bad crash.
"The Absa Cape Epic can go either way - in a good direction, but also in a bad one. Despite the best preparation, major defects, illness and even crashes can never be ruled out. All you can do is try to keep the risk as low as possible," explains Schurter.

With these insights, the Olympic champion joins forces with his team colleague Andri Frischknecht for the 2019 edition of the stage race. He also rode a strong Cape Epic race in 2017 and took two stage wins together with Van der Heijden. Frischknecht therefore knows exactly what it takes to ride to victory in the tough stage race.

Strong backup

Supporting Schurter and Frischknecht in their attempt to reclaim the title for the Scott-Sram team will be Lars Forster and Gert Heyns. The pairing will ride in the colors of "DSV / Scott-Sram". Incidentally, DSV does not stand for the German Ski Association but for a global transportation and logistics company. This is the main sponsor of Team DSV, for which Heyns rides.

Although Heyns has Cape Epic experience, he last took part in 2016, when he had to abandon the race. But things have been different before. For example in 2014, when Heyns finished sixth overall together with Matthys Beukes. European champion Lars Forster, on the other hand, can only rely on the advice of his colleagues. This is his Cape Epic premiere and he is looking forward to the challenge. "I've heard lots of great stories about the Cape Epic and I'm super excited to finally be on the start line of the most prestigious stage race in the world."

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