Page 25 - MTBSA JAN 2020

STRAUSS & LILL The ever-smiling Mariske Strauss will partner Candice Lill
during the 2020 Absa Cape Epic.
Photo by Shaun Dwayne Senior.
COMBINE TO FORM

SUPER CAPE EPIC TEAM

that when the Absa Cape Epic the Absa Cape Epic. That’s why Measures All” Strauss continued.
comes along, we are smooth as we will shoot for the overall “From personal experience, I can
butter.” victory but will always make the attest that anything can happen.
“I know that we have the best of whatever situation we When racing the Absa Cape
Candice Lill has proven her abilities time and again at the support of South African find ourselves in during the race. Epic, you have to be able to
Absa Cape Epic and is looking forward to the 2020 Race.
Photo by Shaun Roy. mountain biking fans and I It would make me unbelievably adapt and roll with the punches.
can’t wait to get out there and proud if we did manage to pull That said, I also do not think
ot since Yolande Speedy, Brentjens’s CST Sandd Bafang to make it work for both teams/ give it our best shot,” Lill said, off a win. Imagine!” “I believe we about what others think about,
in 2013, has a South team, so now it’s just to put the sponsors so that everyone is reflecting on the chances of have a good shot, but of course, we have enough on our plate as
African woman stood picture together. I think it is happy. We are in the process overall victory. “Of course, we as Candice said, this is mountain is, so the pressure we both put
Nupon the top step of beneficial for everyone and I’m of designing the kit and it is would love it to be a success, bike racing and not just any on ourselves is enough without
the Absa Cape Epic podium. In super excited to line up with her” looking really good.” but we do understand the mountain bike race, it’s the adding the expectation of home
Absa Cape Epic – The Race That
unpredictable nature of racing
fans.”
recent years, Robyn de Groot, the former National Champion “Though we have never raced
together as a team, I feel we
Mariske Strauss and Candice Lill stated. know each other’s strengths Candice Lill is excited to partner Mariske Strauss at the 2020
have had shots at the title, and weaknesses on the Absa Cape Epic. Photo by Sam Clark.
though all three came up “Where there’s bike more than anyone” Lill
short. Local fans will, there- added. “We would normally
fore, be thrilled to read that use this in a race situation to
two of the three will combine a will there is try and get the upper hand
as a local super team in 2020. on one another. But now
and Lill are the first all-South always a way” we have the opportunity to
Riding as Faces CST, Strauss
combine our strengths and
African team with a realistic I can’t wait to leverage the
chance of victory in nearly a Strauss pointed power of that. Our first race
together will be the Tankwa
decade. South African fans Trek; as part of the tune-up
have lamented the fact that out. towards the Absa Cape Epic.”
the country’s two premier “This is spot on” Strauss
cross-country riders have agreed. “It’s part of the
never joined forces before. reason why I approached
Organising their collaboration for “The team name will be ‘Faces Candice earlier last year. Besides
CST’ and our separate sponsors
the 2020 Absa Cape Epic was not will be represented elsewhere being a force to be reckoned
entirely straightforward either. on the kit” Lill elaborated. “When with, I feel we will be in tune
“Riding with Candice was part of Mariske joined CST Sandd with one another from the get-
my discussion when I joined Bart Bafang for 2020, we found a way go. We will be doing some rides
and races together to make sure

24 | MTBSA | CAPE EPIC 2020 CAPE EPIC 2020 | MTBSA | 25