Matthew Beers and Tristan Nortjé celebrate their Cape Epic success. (Photo: Provided/@jessmeniere)
The Absa Cape Epic – which is so often characterized by dust, sweat and certainly also tears – in its latest version provided some big South African smiles.
Because in Matthew Beers and Tristan Nortjé, this killer mountain bike challenge boasts its very first local winning team in the elite category.
Beers and Nortjé shone in the team uniform of Toyota Specialized Imbuko to complete the shifts in a time of 26:55:51; 1:04 minutes faster than Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto in second place.
Nortjé popped the winning sparkling wine cork. (Photo: Provided/@jessmeniere)
And for the 24-year-old Nortjé, this has to be the greatest achievement yet of his young and promising cycling career.
“The Epic is the toughest mountain bike stage race in the world. It is not easy. However, this year I had a good chance to win and I eagerly grabbed this opportunity with both hands,” he told Maroela Media.
And it was indeed a grueling task.
Among other things, Nortjé made a hard acquaintance with mother earth in the arrow section of the race and hurt his right leg and elbow. But underachievement is rare and, together with Beers’ encouragement, he was able to celebrate a historic victory.
According to the young resident of Wellington, you especially had to have hair on your teeth to complete the sixth shift. He explains that on the individual front it was his toughest day, but that as a team they made up good time on the winning clock.
“Ah, this is the Epic. So you’re going to have a day somewhere where you don’t feel good, but it’s the way you deal with the challenge that is the difference between failure or ultimate success.”
“It’s a unique challenge with the terrain, the weather and the eight days of just getting up and riding like there’s no next day. It’s actually incredible what one’s body and mindset can do. The Epic is something every cyclist wants to win.”
The Absa Cape Epic is not an easy challenge. (Photo: Provided/@jessmeniere)
However, Beers’ late-the-speak singing ability is a regular Epic hit and Nortjé has a lot of respect for his experienced teammate.
“Matthew is the strongest cyclist I know. We have a good relationship and we have ridden together before and won big races. So to be with him again race was very special.”
Nortjé is a former pupil of Outeniqua High School in George and he has done just about every kind of sport – from athletics and tennis, to rugby and cricket – but eventually cycling began to take up most of his time.
Nortjé and Beers were a formidable combination. (Photo: Provided/@jessmeniere)
“I always said I would retire if I won the Epic, precisely because it was such a big dream and I didn’t think it would just happen. But now I’m part of the winning team and it’s quite a scary thought! I’m just going to enjoy the moment and rest a bit before chasing my next dreams.”
Will Nortjé and Beers be back next year to defend their title?
“We will have to wait and see what the team’s decision is!”
Nortjé with his parents – Linda and Pieter. (Photo: Provided/@jessmeniere)
Mans:
- Matthew Beers and Tristan Nortjé (Toyota Specialized Imbuko): 26:55:51
- Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria): 26:56:56
- Luca Schwarzbauer and Sam Gaze (Canyon): 26:59:25
Women:
- Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller (Thomas Maxon Sabi Sabi): 24:32:38
- Hayley Preen en Haley Smith (Chemchamp Honeycomb): 25:25:36
- Katazina Sosna-Pinele and Giorgia Marchet (Torpado FSA Kenda): 25:41:37