Stage 2 at the 2017 ABSA Cape Epic, started with a bit of a shake up with the route being shortened by 40km due the threat of excessively high temperatures. All our mums today where at the race village in Elandskloof, about 26km outside of Greyton, where the race was originally due to finish.
Mum Supporting the Epic: Nicolette Smith, with 13-month-old Owen, were found taking shelter in the refreshment tent. She has been supporting her brothers Gavin and Brendan Williams 599-1 and 599-2 through five Absa Cape Epics, since 2009, and was very keen to share their 2017 Epic story so far. Their team had a troubling Stage 1 as they missed the cut off, by eight minutes, due to the Tech Zone not having the spares to fix a mechanical issue. They waited for over an hour for a spare part, which resulted in them missing the cut-off. They’re continuing, with their original number boards because there weren’t enough blue boards after the stage, which claimed a high number of DNFs.Mums working at the Epic: On the left, Sisipho Hlangabezo has a daughter and is proudly working at her second Epic. She tells us that she really enjoys making the weary riders feel better and more relaxed after their ride. Nketeleng Lebata has four children and is well accustomed to working at the Epic (this is her fourth). They are both massage therapists for Mangwanani and are from the Eastern Cape.
