Latvian Duo Dominates Amateur Competition in Grueling “Cape Epic” Race

Muižnieks and Purniņš were the fastest in all seven stages in the amateur competition, but took 21st place in the overall standings. Although in the amateur class the Latvians were ahead of their closest competitors by more than an hour and a half, Muižnieks admitted that it is better to go to such a difficult competition without unnecessary expectations, so as not to experience disappointment, because in technical sports not everything depends on oneself.

Oskars Muižnieks about what he experienced in the “Cape Epic” competition

The organizers warned the participants of “Cape Epic” in advance that this year a particularly difficult competition is expected, both due to the hilly terrain of the track and the heat, which sometimes exceeded 35 degrees, had a great impact. There were no surprises for the Latvian duo in the field of technology and in relation to health itself. At one point, there was a serious risk of retiring, because Lauri’s bike frame broke in the second stage, but luckily, he managed to find the necessary spare part on the spot so that he could continue the race.

“It was very lucky that we could finish at that stage, because we only noticed after the finish that [rāmis] is holding on to the last carbon fibers,” Muižnieks described the two-wheel defect. “We don’t really know how it happened, but the load on those bikes here is very high. Maybe there was already a defect before that that was developing all the time. We were just lucky to make it to the finish line that day.”

After stomach problems and fever, it was difficult for Oskar to reach the finish line in the last stage.

The nobleman does not hide that digestive problems are a usual companion of the “Cape Epic” for athletes and he could not do without medication.

Having previously competed successfully in high-level international competitions, Muižnieks and Purniņš expected that they could be favorites this time in the amateur class, but they were ready for some strong competition. After the first stages won, however, it became clear that other amateur drivers are looking at them more. Muižniekus are also happy, in the absolute rating, the duo was close to TOP20.

Luck is an important factor for the victory in the “Cape Epic”, because in the technical sport many did not finish at all due to serious defects of the two-wheelers,

admitted Muižnieks. He emphasized that it is necessary to prepare seriously in advance in order to enjoy such a tough competition in good physical condition. Due to the heavy load, the normal functioning of the digestive tract is also an important factor to restore strength for the next day after losing 10,000 calories.

The winners of “Cape Epic” were determined already for the 20th time – the competition in South Africa has gained a lot of publicity, so Muižnieka and Purniņa were also recognized in the streets and shops, which surprised Latvians. Purniņš also competed in South Africa a year ago, when he and Jānis Priževota finished fourth.

On the other hand, the Latvian duo Beate Kovgere and Krista Pūcīte, who made their debut in the women’s competition, won 2nd place, losing only to the Argentinian Paula Lopez and the Costa Rican cyclist Alejandra Arias.

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