TOUGH LESSON FOR THE TEAM IN A RELENTLESS CAPE EPIC
CAPE EPIC 2023
31 / 03 / 2023
From 19th to 26th March the BUFF-MEGAMO TEAM competed in the long-awaited Absa Cape Epic. One of the most important and prestigious races of the season that takes place in South Africa. 648 km with 15.475m of accumulated altitude difference spread over a total of 8 stages.
Professionals from all over the world have cycled on the trails of South Africa. In this 19th edition, the route has shown us virgin terrain never seen before, combined with mythical sections such as the Groenlandberg peak, the main protagonist of the queen stage.
On this occasion, the BUFF-MEGAMO TEAM travelled to Cape Town with two male pairs: Hans Becking with José Días and Enrique Morcillo with Hugo Drechou.
This season's Cape Epic was very different from most. If the norm in this race was high temperatures, in this 2023 the weather has brought rain, wind, mud and even cold. This weather has pushed the teams' bikes to the limit. It should be noted that in the case of the Megamo Track its performance has been excellent and the team has stated that the mechanical level has been the best Cape Epic in history, without any problem, no punctures or chain departures, etc.
The BUFF-MEGAMO TEAM arrived at the race better than ever, with the aim of being on the podium, but some stomach problems suffered by several riders and staff members prevented the team from being in the top positions of the ranking.
Despite the riders' perfect preparation, the team returned home bittersweet after failing to achieve the expected results.
In terms of results the assessment is not good, but on a human level we can speak of pure overcoming by managing to finish all the stages, despite the bad physical condition due to stomach problems.
Finally, Hans Becking and José Dias placed ninth in the general classification. And Hugo Drechou and Enrique Morcillo in 17th position.
There are still many races left for this season and the team will keep fighting to be on the podium in the next events.
Congratulations on having managed to finish the dreaded Cape Epic in such an epic edition of the race.
