Land Rover is the Official Vehicle of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic, it was announced today.
The legendary all-terrain vehicle manufacturer will supply vehicles to the eight-day mountain bike stage race from 15 – 22 March. Discovery Sport, Discovery and Defender models will be used by the Absa Cape Epic team to traverse the rugged terrain through which the event travels.
“We’re very pleased to have a world-leading brand in Land Rover join the Absa Cape Epic family,” said race founder Kevin Vermaak. “I can’t imagine a better fit: Land Rover points out that one in four people have the ‘adventure gene’, and those same people would typically enter the Absa Cape Epic”.
“It says such people are ‘hard-wired to explore and discover’ – as are its vehicles and our riders,” said Vermaak.
Land Rover ambassador John Smit, the former Springbok captain, will be amongst the 1 200 riders taking on the Absa Cape Epic this year. Smit, who drives a Range Rover, will be riding the Untamed African MTB Race for the second time. “I’m passionate about my Land Rover and about the Absa Cape Epic: it’s great to see them joining forces,” said Smit.
Richard Gouverneur. Land Rover’s Managing Director for South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa, said: “In 1947 Land Rover set out to create a vehicle that inspired total confidence whatever the terrain. In doing so it ushered in a new generation of adventurers. The partnership with the Absa Cape Epic is a natural progression of that objective.”
“Land Rover has historically been the benchmark for off-road adventure vehicles, and now the Absa Cape Epic does the same for mountain biking,” added Gouverneur. “We’re delighted to be partnering this iconic event”.
The Land Rovers will be branded in the Absa Cape Epic colours and their ability to cross rugged terrain will help the race in many ways. These include transporting medics, media and race personnel, increasing organisation efficiency and responding to situations that may develop in far-flung parts of the course.
The 2015 race begins with a prologue on Table Mountain, starting from the University of Cape Town, and finishes eight days later at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville.
The Grand Finale at Meerendal boasts live entertainment, a farmer’s market, great food and wine and unmatched scenery. Vantage points will be accessible to the general public and everyone is welcome. Entrance is free.
Please see dropbox link for images.
