Water brand THIRSTI is taking its partnership with the Absa Cape Epic to the next level and contributing to a change in the experience this year.
The Cape Epic takes place from 17-24 October and will cover THIRSTI’s Western Province production facility in Tulbagh on stage three. Here, as a landowner, THIRSTI has contributed to the route by adding interesting elements to the track.
Shortly after entering the THIRSTI Natural Spring Water farm, riders will tackle a pump track positioned on a dam wall separating two dams, followed by a scenic floating water bridge.
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“We have worked closely with the Absa Cape Epic team to reflect the THIRSTI brand on our part of the route – fast, fun and spectacular,” says THIRSTI Head of Marketing, Michelle Lillico. “We have built an extraordinary section of single track called Crocodile Spine, as it resembles the spine of a crocodile. It’s fast and flowing with the sole purpose of putting a smile on riders’ faces. Before completing their extraordinary kilometre, riders will experience another first – a 100m floating water bridge. This will provide a short mental reset before attacking one of the most demanding climbs of this year’s Absa Cape Epic: Fanties Pass.”
“By the time riders start Stage 3 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic, they will have already raced 212 kilometres and climbed 4450m, including the Queen Stage, which is considered the most demanding stage of the race,” says Sarah Harrop, Senior Marketing Manager, Epic Series. “Every rock garden, bridge, drop-off or trail at the Absa Cape Epic compounds on what has preceded it. Looking at features in isolation may make them seem less demanding, but when you factor in the fatigue of the opening stages, including a bone-rattling ride through the Witzenberg on Stage 2 and an early encounter with Tulbagh’s demanding trails prior to arriving at the THIRSTI features, they start to become more of a challenge.”