R1 Million Prize Purse in 2013

The Absa Cape Epic, the most televised mountain bike race in the world, has announced an increased prize purse of R1 million for the 10th edition of the race next year, which consolidates its position as mountain bike race with the largest prize purse in the world. The event’s total prize purse has doubled in a period of only three years.

2012 Absa Cape Epic Winners, Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander 

Says Kevin Vermaak, founder of the Absa Cape Epic: “I asked Susi (Christoph Sauser has been racing professionally since 1993, was a bronze medalist at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, World Marathon Champion in 2011 and 2007, three times Absa Cape Epic winner, European Marathon Champion in 2007, and World Cross-Country Champion in 2008, apart from being a six times Swiss Champion, amongst others) in the early days what his advise would be to grow our event in terms of professional participation, and his answer was, jokingly, to have R1 million in prize money. I’m delighted to announce that we can now offer exactly that. With our rich prize purse, we’d like to honour the effort that so many of the world’s top riders make to ride the race, travelling from around the world to be here. The Absa Cape Epic is by far the highest payout of any race in South Africa, road or mountain bike, and I’m happy that we can do this for cycling in our magnificent country.”

Vermaak continues: “Up to 64% of the money will be paid to the top men’s teams and the overall general classification, with the rest going to the top ladies, mixed and masters teams. Next year is a celebratory year, being our 10th birthday event, and I’d like to thank our sponsors for their on-going support in working with us to grow this event. Telkom Business will continue to sponsor our intermediate hotspots, so I would like to thank them also for their contribution to our increased total prize purse.”

Telkom Business Hotspot 

“Celebrating the iconic 10th edition of the race is testimony to how this event continues to grow from strength to strength. The organisers’ decision to increase the prize purse will be an exciting incentive and well-deserved reward for the winners of the 2013 Absa Cape Epic. Absa is proud to have played its part in this journey and congratulates Kevin Vermaak and his team on reaching this milestone.”

The race will once again see 1 200 riders in the start chute in 2013. Says Vermaak: “Even if we have all the world champions on the start line, the race remains absolutely achievable for anyone that sets his or her mind to do it. Riding alongside the world’s top riders is a huge plus, but perhaps what is even more important to the amateurs that come from all over the world, is the quality of the route and of our event services. This remains the core of what we’re about,” Vermaak concludes.

The Absa Cape Epic, the largest mountain bike stage race in the world, celebrates its 10th event in 2013 and is bound to offer both riders and supporters a one-of-a-kind experience in the run up to and during the event.