The Absa Cape Epic organisers have issued a statement in relation to the heat affected Stage 3 in Paarl on Wednesday, addressing water-shortage accusations and rider fatality queries.
By Sean Badenhorst
Since news spread of the Absa Cape Epic organisers stopping Wednesday’s Stage 3 early for safety reasons, social media posts and WhatsApp groups have been filled with references to Water Point 3 running out of water as well as unconfirmed reports of more than one rider fatality.
After we sent a request to the Absa Cape Epic organisers on Thursday, 20 March to address the issues on Wednesday’s stage, we were sent a statement which we published earlier today. We then received another statement this afternoon (Thursday March 20) and asked to replace the previous statement with this one, which reads as follows:
Due to extreme heat conditions on Wednesday 19 March, a decision was made in consultation with and under the advisement of the Event Medical Director and local authorities to halt the shortened Stage 3 as at 14h36 local time.
Prior to halting the Stage, the team had already implemented earlier start times and a shortened Stage, as well as deploying additional water and ice at the water points to mitigate the higher than normal temperatures.
No Water Points ran out of drinking water
There have been no rider fatalities during this year’s race. Extractions from the course is consistent with Stages in prior years that had similar conditions, with a small number of riders being transported to hospital for further monitoring and treatment.
Stage 4 of the Absa Cape Epic started and finished as planned today, with slightly cooler weather conditions. Rider safety remains the utmost priority and the Absa Cape Epic Team will continue to monitor conditions closely throughout the week and remain in close consultation with local authorities and the Event Medical Director should there be any required changes to the race.
Image credit: Sam Clark/Cape Epic
