The Absa Cape Epic is held to be the world’s toughest test of mountain biking equipment, and ASSOS of Switzerland has used the event as a sort of rugged laboratory for several years.
The world-leading cycling apparel manufacturer has put its products through their paces in the event since 2011, and now has a line of Absa Cape Epic branded shirts available online. The stylish shirts were already a big hit at the ASSOS stand during the event this year and have also been available at partner stores.
They can be bought online at http://goo.gl/p4akXn
The Untamed African Mountain Bike Race formally joined forces with ASSOS in 2013 when the Swiss company became its premium cycling apparel sponsor.
But the relationship had started even earlier when Giuseppe Ribolzi, a former professional cyclist and then manager of the ASSOS Experience Superstore, took on the race in 2011 with Daniele Zucconi.
In 2014 Italian riders Daniele Nardello and Luca Zanasca were entered as Team ASSOS Werkmannschaft and used the eight-day event to test some new equipment. In the process they finished a commendable 32nd overall. Also in that race were the ASSOS Werkmannschaft mixed team of Frenchman Karl Zoetemelk and Swiss Sarah Koba, but the latter had to pull out.
After the 2014 event the company launched its Offroad Rally mountain biking range, and it seemed to work for Zoetemelk and Nardello in 2015 when they finished third and on the podium in the Masters category. Their efforts also saw them finish 19th overall.
The ASSOS Werkmannschaft team wore the Epic branded shirts and new Offroad Rally shorts on the event.
ASSOS has also used striking photographs of its riders taking on the event to illustrate a clothing catalogue.
In 2013 race founder Kevin Vermaak announced the ASSOS sponsorship by saying: “The Absa Cape Epic and ASSOS have a number of similarities in the sense that they constantly strive for innovation in all aspects of their respective businesses. At the ASSOS Competence Center in Switzerland, members of the research and development laboratory share over 350 years of combined expertise in cycling apparel.”
According to ASSOS of Switzerland Chief Engineer and CEO, Roche Maier: “ASSOS has always been on the forefront of innovation and was the first company to launch a carbon bicycle back in 1976, quickly moving into cycling apparel, developing the first Lycra bike shorts in the same year. With this rich history in the sport, riders in the Absa Cape Epic can look forward to decades of experience, technology and innovation when spending long hours riding.”
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