While most of the spotlight was on Matt Beers becoming only the second South African to win the Absa Cape Epic overall, two Johannesburg fathers with full-time jobs won the highly competitive Masters Category title. Andrew Duvenage and Craig Uria secured the coveted Blue Jerseys, giving South Africans another reason to be proud. With under a month to go until the 2022 Cape Epic, they’re ready to defend that crown. We ran some questions by the guys dubbed ‘the working class heroes’…

By Sean Badenhorst

Anyone that’s ridden a Cape Epic knows what it takes to be competitive. The Masters Category (40-49 years) is traditionally the largest category and undoubtedly one of the most competitive. After having done four Cape Epics as teammates previously, Craig and Andrew, both aged 40, were eligible to compete in the Masters Category in 2021 and were fired up for a high placing.

It’s always a big life-step going from your Thirties to your Forties. It’s no different for competitive mountain bikers. You’re moving from the main men’s racing division to the older men’s racing division. You’d think the pressure would become less, but in South African events, including the Cape Epic, the depth of competition in the 40-49 year division is usually greater. Beside, endurance cycling almost becomes more intuitive when you’re in your forties. What you lose in speed, you gain in experience and stamina…

After racing in the UCI Elite Men’s category for the past four years together, we both turned 40 in 2021 and so this was always going to be a year wanted to have a go at the Masters title,” said Andrew.

Their highest overall finish as teammates was 31st position in 2016. They also finished 32nd in 2017 and 39th in 2018. They did not finish the 2019 edition. In 2021, not only did they win the Master’s title, but they finished 20th overall. Some may argue that the field had less depth because numbers were restricted due to the South African government’s curbs on outdoor gatherings and mass sports events. But at the sharp end of the field, the depth wasn’t affected much. The consistency of Team Restonic in 2021 would likely have placed them that high up in any given year.

“This was definitely our best Epic performance. The stars aligned in terms of form, no mechanical issues, and health – the three things you need to perform in an Epic. We have always wanted a top 20 but haven’t managed it before… we didn’t really push for it in the race as we didn’t want to throw away the Masters lead, but in the end we moved into the top 20 on the final stage which was the cherry on the top, and felt pretty awesome after many years of hard work,” said Andrew.

There was widespread consensus that the 2021 Cape Epic was one of the toughest editions to date. http://www.treadmtb.co.za/why-the-2021-cape-epic-was-so-tough/ This seemed to play in the hands of Craig and Andrew.

“There are no easy Cape Epics, there are so many challenges to this race – route, terrain, weather… When a race goes well, one is bound to enjoy the route. I do feel the race route is getting better each year – the mix of climbing, singletrack and dual track was really good in 2021. The diversity of the type of trail was great, from the rugged trails in the Witzenberg and Slanghoek valleys to the flowing purpose built trails in Tulbagh and Wellington. Andrew and I first raced together in 2016 when the race went through Tulbagh and I loved the trails there – it was great to go back,” said Craig.

Craig (left) and Andrew start the Prologue at UCT.

“I found the build-up in the uncertainty of the Covid environment more challenging than usual, as was the time of the year (not being able to put in a December holiday training block and also having fewer racing opportunities). I personally never see one Epic as more difficult than another – they are all hard and challenging in their own way,” added Andrew.

Team Restonic’s primary rivals at the 2021 Cape Epic were the Team Bulls pair of Karl Platt and Alban Lakata. Both are former Elite pro’s with among other internationally relevant results, Platt having won five Cape Epic titles overall and Lakata having won three marathon World Championships. A formidable pairing, especially since they both were still full-time, professional bicycle racers. While this is permitted in the Cape Epic rules, there is large camp with the mindset that full-time pro racers should not be permitted to compete for the Masters title at the Cape Epic, a division that’s normally made up entirely of committed amateur racers.

“I don’t think full time pro’s should be racing age group against amateurs. We raced in the UCI category for four years as amateurs (which hurt!), so have looked forward to racing age group. In my mind it should be strictly an amateur category (or genuinely retired pro’s),” said Andrew.

Andrew leads Craig as they charge through Stage 1.

“Cycling is a passion that I’ve managed to juggle with family and work. I love racing my bike and I’m grateful I have the support of my wife and kids. There are many sacrifices that come with it, such as training before work, 5am rides on weekends and holidays. I feel the UCI rules should be followed across all events, especially the biggest mountain bike stage race in the world. Basically you should race as an Elite or an Age-grouper, not both,” added Craig.

Platt and Lakata’s Cape Epic Master’s title quest only lasted two days though with Platt forced to withdraw due to a stomach bug, highlighting Andrew’s earlier comment that three things need to be aligned for a good Cape Epic result – form, minimal mechanicals and good health.

“We weren’t really overly focused on the Bulls team. The reality is that Alban was ranked fifth Elite on the marathon world circuit at the time (and an ex world champ), while Karl is the reigning Masters Marathon World Champ and an Epic icon. Realistically, it would have been a tall order, but Epic is an eight-day event with many twists in its tail. We have done enough Epics to know that the best thing to do is focus on what you can control and not worry about what you can’t,” said Andrew.

“We would never wish misfortune on another team so were relieved to see Karl back on his feet after exiting the race… One’s health is more important than a race. I don’t know him personally but he seems like a really nice guy. There was some noise on social media around active Pro’s racing age group but we just focused on the task at hand,” added Andrew.

There was a significant support for Team Restonic, both at the event, which frustratingly had to ban spectators , but mostly via social media. It was as if hundreds of middle-aged folks with full-time jobs were living vicariously through Andrew and Craig as they tackled each of the eight stages.

“The support was incredible, it certainly lifted our spirits and fuelled the fire. Messages and calls from friends and strangers, to route-side cheering… Thank you to everyone that supported us during the race,” said Craig.

Craig (left) and Andrew celebrate their Master’s Category victory on the final stage at Val de Vie.

With a postponed Cape Epic moved from autumn to spring, it meant that South African riders, normally able to train through the long, hot summer and into a warm autumn, were forced to train through winter, which isn’t as bitterly cold as that in the northern hemisphere, but is still more of a challenge. The fact that many build-up races were cancelled due to the government’s reaction to the Covid-19 virus didn’t help either. For Team Restonic, who are accustomed to squeezing in training sessions, even in summer, it wasn’t too different. In fact, it may have benefitted them.

“Craig and I are both coached by Mike Posthumus, so we follow a similar, synchronised program. Mike is exceptional at helping us getting to optimal form but taking into account work and family related time constraints. A typical training week would be 15-25 hours depending where we are in our build up,” said Andrew.

“Preparing for the 2021 Cape Epic was certainly different to pre-Covid times. There was lots of uncertainty in the build-up, such as not knowing which events would go ahead. One needs to adapt and be quite flexible when preparing. I raced on the fly at the end of 2020, and after the postponement of the Cape Epic from March to October, I continued to ride. Andrew and I were invited to race KAP Sani2c for Restonic, so that became the new goal. I then raced SA Marathon Champs in Paarl a few weeks before and it was great to walk away with the win. I hadn’t focused on winning a National title as I have been registered as an Elite  for Cape Epic purposes,” explained Craig, whose 40-49-year category national marathon champs win came on significantly demanding course.

“Our 2021 Epic build-up started in February, before Sani2c. I do a fair amount on the indoor trainer (IDT) because of the convenience in terms of work and family commitments. School runs often mean that a focused IDT session is more beneficial than a rushed morning ride. I had a big off at Sani2c in May and had a few months of rehab on my shoulder so the IDT was invaluable in building form while I went through physio and bio sessions, as I wasn’t allowed off-road. I must also say that lockdown in 2020 was really beneficial in that I started doing more IDT work. Joburg has a dearth of hills (you can maybe get 10 minutes out of Northcliff but that’s about it), so using Zwift to do longer efforts and metabolic work really helped,” explained Andrew.

The 2021 Cape Epic was truly an allround test of strength, skill, stamina, equipment and team work, as Andrew confirms…

While I struggled on Stages 1-3, Craig was super strong. But then I really came right for the second half of the race. Stage 1 for me was hard as an O-ring in my fork failed and the fork seized, so I was locked out for the whole stage. I felt like I had been working a jackhammer all day! The experience of riding multiple Epics together really helped though. We rode smart – at our tempo, backed ourselves to go when we felt good, didn’t focus on other teams if we hadn’t got away from them, and were conservative on the descents and technical sections to minimise risks. We also have our race routines dialled in really well after all these years. This really helps,” said Andrew.

Andrew and Craig start a stage alongside all the other category leaders.

Both Craig and Andrew rode Cannondale Scalpel Si bikes with Continental X-King tyres.

“One of the most important parts of a Cape Epic is having the confidence in your bike. Our mechanic, Julian Lafontein, is an integral part of our team and we have learned to race smart to reduce the risk of damaging bikes and gear,” said Craig.

They say that winning a title is one thing, but defending it is a whole new challenge. Team Restonic is on the Cape Epic registered-rider list for the 2022. In 2021 there were 77 Masters teams and in 2022 there are 137, so the field is a fair bit larger. There are some strong combinations entered, which is sure to make the race for the Blue Jersey as tense as ever. But Andrew and Craig are taking in their stride.

“Our form is coming on nicely and we felt that we were where we needed to be at Tankwa Trek in early February. As far as Epic goes, we will be in the best form possible and will give it everything we’ve got. One thing we have learnt about Epic is that anything can happen!” said Andrew.

“The 2022 route looks good on paper. We are looking forward to the areas and trails.

The race has come upon us quite quickly! The two of us have a lot going on in our lives with family and work commitments but that’s no different to any previous events. Our riding and training is on track, and we’re looking forward to lining up at the start in March,” said Craig.

The 2022 Absa Cape Epic takes place from 20-27 March.

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