When the 2014 Absa Cape Epic kicks off with the prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate on Sunday 23 March, Dan will be on the microphone for a ninth consecutive year, joining the world’s top mountain bikers, celebrity riders, and some of the best amateur cyclists from around the world, in the celebrated team stage race on the mountain biking circuit.
As well as a daily spectator vantage, where he will welcome in over 1 200 riders every day, Dan will host the evening chill zone at the race village, and then move on to the main marquee to host the evening function that celebrates the stage winners, jersey leaders, race highlights and Epic participants, making for eight full and busy days as the race makes it way through the Western Cape.
As well as multiple Olympic and world champions, this year’s field includes two four-time winners in Christoph Sauser and Karl Platt, with the two fierce rivals leading a strong professional challenge in 2014. There’s also a considerable field of celebrity riders, with Formula 1 legend Alain Prost riding for a third time, former Springbok captain John Smit making his debut, and rugby stars Joel Stransky and Stefan Terblanche riding together.
Two charities Dan supports will also be featuring strongly in the race as official partners: the JAG Foundation, of which Dan is an ambassador, will again benefit from the Epic, as will the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, with former Springbok Butch James leading the first Laureus South Africa team to enter the race.