"For those of you following our story but can't be in the thick of the action of the ABSA Cape Epic, here

is what some of the team had to say with just one day left till stage 1 kicks off!

Burry Stander, "the route is becoming more world class standard every year. The competition is following,

as well as most of the world cup top 10 are racing this year it really is going to be intense out there!

He most definitely has a point as looking at this years start list there is an endless list of World Cup winners,

World Champions past and present and men who know what 8 days of hard riding is all about.

A veteran of 5 Cape Epics including one overall victory as well as 12 stage wins in total, Christoph Sauser is

no stranger to this event and will definitely be aiming for the top step of the podium come the end of stage 8.

Riding for the third consecutive year in the colours of Songo.info with he had thefollowing to say,

"I love to race the Cape-Epic! A win in a 8 day race worth so much then a single one, especially when it is so hyped up like the Epic. It creates stories, rivalries, friendship and glory! But all this is topped, since I started the Songo.info charity with a friend together 3 years ago"

"We do not only race for our sponsors, fans and ourself any more! It is awesome to see the progress of the Kayamandi township kids on and off they're Specialized bikes. I am always so proud of them, when I see them riding the bikes around, or hearing how well they are doing at the races!"

Next time we will hear from Claire Rushworth, the team siougneur as to what it takes behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly as as well as checking in with head mechanic, Benno Williet and seeing what he has up his sleeve in keeping the teams two S-Works Epics in raceready condition over 8 days.