Cape Epic yields lifetime goal for Snyman
Mountain biking
It was most certainly no walk in the park, says the 60-year-old.
Frank Snyman (60) of Windhoek achieved an emotional life-time goal and “the absolute highlight of my cycling career” when he finished in the podium on each of the eight days of the gruelling Absa Cape Epic mountain bike tour.
Both him and his Swedish teammate Atle Hansen, a late replacement shortly before the eight-day stage race, had to fight with everything they had during the last days as health issues to both threatened to end their experience, despite the desired result being so close within reach.
The pair finished stages 1 to 6 in second position in the great grand masters men’s category general classification and had to bravely hang on for the overall third-place podium finish.
Snyman, who took on the Cape Epic for the third time, says: “There is a world of difference between riding the distance with the aim to finish, or racing against the front-runners in your age category.
“As an amateur rider, I feel a great sense of pride to have reached the podium with the three top teams representing two Swiss riders, the German and French team, followed by Sweden and myself, who went over the finish line with a Namibian flag held high.”
This year’s eight stages had a combined distance of 613 kilometres and a total elevation gain of 16 850 metres, and considered one of the hardest Cape Epic editions in recent history.
“The dust and pollen getting into your ears, nose and throat made everyone to suffer more than in any usual race. This was the 20th year of the Cape Epic, with a slightly different route for every single year, and without doubt becoming more and more physically demanding every year. It is most certainly no walk in the park,” Snyman says.
“Many years ago when we were young cyclists, we joked about one day entering the Tour de France. Well, the Cape Epic is basically the Tour de France in the sport of mountain biking. Most of the entries are from overseas countries and over the eight days you can hear every conceivable European language.
“I’ve been training for two years with my goal a podium finish at the Cape Epic, which is not something many people achieve in life.
“I worked with a coach, Lance Stevenson, who lives in Grabouw, with a lot of dedication and very goal-orientated.”
Snyman’s brother-in-law Piet Swiegers, also a veteran of ultra-demanding mountain bike races and former Cape Epic teammate of Hansen, delivered valuable input
After day 1’s stage, Swiegers cautioned the pair to conserve their energy in protecting their second position and to not get drawn into the pace of the leaders and eventual winners. The Swiss pair of Barti Bucher (12-time Cape Epic finisher, three-time grand masters category winner and with two masters category titles) and Peter Furrer completed the tour as category winners in 34 hours 36 minutes 59 seconds.
Second place was taken by Ralf Kropp (Germany) and Rene Vallee (France) in 37:06:59, who shared the podium with Snyman and Hansen, competing as Team Toshiba Namibia (37:33:36).
LOWEST POINT
Snyman tells how he came close to being withdrawn at water point 1 during Friday’s stage when he was visibly stumbling and disorientated.
He was later taken to hospital suffering from dehidration, while Hansen throughout the tour fought the vicious heat while coming from a cold European climate and also picking up a stomach bug. Recovery and a good night’s sleep became vital to keep them in the race.
The Swede commented afterwards: “I want to thank everybody in our supporters group ? family and friends etc of Frank and my Eszter – for supporting us in this crazy adventure, which must be the toughest organised mountain-biking event on earth.
“As you know, I did the Cape Epic with Piet back in 2015. Now some years later I can say it was not easier. Madre Mia.
“We were in racing mode up to the end of stage 5. Then on stages 6 and 7 we just had to get through it, because of illness.
“On Sunday's last stage I was far out of my comfort zone. Riding these tracks with a fever, a bad tummy and a tired body was a real pain. But we made it and like Frank, I'm proud of us and what we accomplished.
“I am very grateful that I got another opportunity to ride the Cape Epic again. Once in a lifetime, became twice!”
COACH’S COMMENTS
Lance Stevenson’s summary was also filled with emotion.
“It’s been a roller coaster, with many bumps, for all supporters and followers. We have all endured and overcome our own battles in this process.
“Well done Atle for being a pillar in the achievement. Without you signing up, we wouldn’t have this race, achievement and amazing journey.
“Piet, a strong will and hard views, your ‘surprise’ visit was welcome. Extra hands and driving around was a massive help on those harder days, when the temperatures dropped so rapidly, was critical for recovery and happy athletes.
“Frank, thank you for believing in me to help you on the achievement of your target. This has been a fulfilling experience for me that will stick with me.
“To Frank and Atle, boys ... MEN ... I am incredibly proud of what we did. The way you held on to push again every day, the way you started ‘fresh’ every day with the ethos of ‘today is another opportunity to try again’ was admirable.
“I actually shed tears every day out of pride and relief for you, I was so happy to see my ‘babies’ come in safe. What an incredible thing. Nothing worth it comes cheap or easy, and based on how difficult this was for all of us ... it was damn worth it!”
NAMIBIAN RESULTS
Namibian elite women’s rider Vera Looser, who won the 2023 tour alongside Kim Le Court of Mauritius, finished the tour in fifth place with her new partner, Alexis Skarda of USA. The pair spent the first four days in fourth position before dropping down one place, despite their highlight of finishing the final stage in third place.
Namibian elite men’s rider Alex Miller withdrew on Friday due to sickness.
Jaco Lamprecht (NAM) and Riaan Boshoff (RSA), as Hollard Namibia, finished the tour in 25th place of the grand masters men, and overall 115th, in 43:18:21.
In the amateur men’s class, Jurgen Sander and Stefan Sander were 38th (overall 138th) in 36:52:04.
Both him and his Swedish teammate Atle Hansen, a late replacement shortly before the eight-day stage race, had to fight with everything they had during the last days as health issues to both threatened to end their experience, despite the desired result being so close within reach.
The pair finished stages 1 to 6 in second position in the great grand masters men’s category general classification and had to bravely hang on for the overall third-place podium finish.
Snyman, who took on the Cape Epic for the third time, says: “There is a world of difference between riding the distance with the aim to finish, or racing against the front-runners in your age category.
“As an amateur rider, I feel a great sense of pride to have reached the podium with the three top teams representing two Swiss riders, the German and French team, followed by Sweden and myself, who went over the finish line with a Namibian flag held high.”
This year’s eight stages had a combined distance of 613 kilometres and a total elevation gain of 16 850 metres, and considered one of the hardest Cape Epic editions in recent history.
“The dust and pollen getting into your ears, nose and throat made everyone to suffer more than in any usual race. This was the 20th year of the Cape Epic, with a slightly different route for every single year, and without doubt becoming more and more physically demanding every year. It is most certainly no walk in the park,” Snyman says.
“Many years ago when we were young cyclists, we joked about one day entering the Tour de France. Well, the Cape Epic is basically the Tour de France in the sport of mountain biking. Most of the entries are from overseas countries and over the eight days you can hear every conceivable European language.
“I’ve been training for two years with my goal a podium finish at the Cape Epic, which is not something many people achieve in life.
“I worked with a coach, Lance Stevenson, who lives in Grabouw, with a lot of dedication and very goal-orientated.”
Snyman’s brother-in-law Piet Swiegers, also a veteran of ultra-demanding mountain bike races and former Cape Epic teammate of Hansen, delivered valuable input
After day 1’s stage, Swiegers cautioned the pair to conserve their energy in protecting their second position and to not get drawn into the pace of the leaders and eventual winners. The Swiss pair of Barti Bucher (12-time Cape Epic finisher, three-time grand masters category winner and with two masters category titles) and Peter Furrer completed the tour as category winners in 34 hours 36 minutes 59 seconds.
Second place was taken by Ralf Kropp (Germany) and Rene Vallee (France) in 37:06:59, who shared the podium with Snyman and Hansen, competing as Team Toshiba Namibia (37:33:36).
LOWEST POINT
Snyman tells how he came close to being withdrawn at water point 1 during Friday’s stage when he was visibly stumbling and disorientated.
He was later taken to hospital suffering from dehidration, while Hansen throughout the tour fought the vicious heat while coming from a cold European climate and also picking up a stomach bug. Recovery and a good night’s sleep became vital to keep them in the race.
The Swede commented afterwards: “I want to thank everybody in our supporters group ? family and friends etc of Frank and my Eszter – for supporting us in this crazy adventure, which must be the toughest organised mountain-biking event on earth.
“As you know, I did the Cape Epic with Piet back in 2015. Now some years later I can say it was not easier. Madre Mia.
“We were in racing mode up to the end of stage 5. Then on stages 6 and 7 we just had to get through it, because of illness.
“On Sunday's last stage I was far out of my comfort zone. Riding these tracks with a fever, a bad tummy and a tired body was a real pain. But we made it and like Frank, I'm proud of us and what we accomplished.
“I am very grateful that I got another opportunity to ride the Cape Epic again. Once in a lifetime, became twice!”
COACH’S COMMENTS
Lance Stevenson’s summary was also filled with emotion.
“It’s been a roller coaster, with many bumps, for all supporters and followers. We have all endured and overcome our own battles in this process.
“Well done Atle for being a pillar in the achievement. Without you signing up, we wouldn’t have this race, achievement and amazing journey.
“Piet, a strong will and hard views, your ‘surprise’ visit was welcome. Extra hands and driving around was a massive help on those harder days, when the temperatures dropped so rapidly, was critical for recovery and happy athletes.
“Frank, thank you for believing in me to help you on the achievement of your target. This has been a fulfilling experience for me that will stick with me.
“To Frank and Atle, boys ... MEN ... I am incredibly proud of what we did. The way you held on to push again every day, the way you started ‘fresh’ every day with the ethos of ‘today is another opportunity to try again’ was admirable.
“I actually shed tears every day out of pride and relief for you, I was so happy to see my ‘babies’ come in safe. What an incredible thing. Nothing worth it comes cheap or easy, and based on how difficult this was for all of us ... it was damn worth it!”
NAMIBIAN RESULTS
Namibian elite women’s rider Vera Looser, who won the 2023 tour alongside Kim Le Court of Mauritius, finished the tour in fifth place with her new partner, Alexis Skarda of USA. The pair spent the first four days in fourth position before dropping down one place, despite their highlight of finishing the final stage in third place.
Namibian elite men’s rider Alex Miller withdrew on Friday due to sickness.
Jaco Lamprecht (NAM) and Riaan Boshoff (RSA), as Hollard Namibia, finished the tour in 25th place of the grand masters men, and overall 115th, in 43:18:21.
In the amateur men’s class, Jurgen Sander and Stefan Sander were 38th (overall 138th) in 36:52:04.
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