Checking in with the Cape Epic Champions
After the flights from Europe, it didn’t take long for the team to get their camper van setup dialed and hit the trails of Jonkershoek for a shakedown ride. Here’s what they had to say about the upcoming race, their exploding fan base, plus and a few insights into their partnership with Leatt.
In 2022, you took the yellow jersey on the final day in the most spectacular finish the race has ever seen. That’s quite an accomplishment. You must be happy to be back?
Lukas: “Thank you. Yes we are super stoked to be back. We have a new partner too, Leatt, which is cool. We are here to give the Cape Epic our very best, again…”
How did the partnership with Leatt come about?
Lukas: “… I think we made a good impression… haha”
Georg: “We began chatting after last year’s Epic. With Leatt being from Cape Town, actually located very close to the Cape Epic routes and with their new 2024 Endurance range coming, it is all a perfect partnership – coming at a good time for everyone. Leatt is more than just a sponsor, they are supporters and fans – the connection is strong.”
You’ve ridden in the kit, what are your first impressions of it?
Lukas: “The kit is lit. Or as they say here in South Africa: lekker! Haha. Yes, it fits and feels super good and we are happy to put it to the ultimate test.”
Georg: “Yea, the material in our race kit is super thin and you can feel that it’s made for hot temperatures. In Germany and Switzerland, it gets super-hot in the summer, so this race-kit is perfect.”
Does your partnership with Leatt extend beyond just racing?
Lukas: “For sure. We are not only pure racers, we also enjoy developing products. So yes, we will be putting our experience and expertise into the development and production of the new Leatt Endurance range. We are part of the R&D program.”
You are global superstars with an adoring South African fan base – does the Cape Epic feel like a home race to you?
Georg: “Haha. Yeah it’s starting to feel more and more like a home race. I mean now with Leatt, as a new sponsor we are feeling more or less at home here yes. Everyone has welcomed us well and yea we are ready to go. We are actually blown away by our entire fan base. You guys are cool! By the way, thank you to everyone for all the messages and support! We read all the messages.”
Lukas: “Actually I’m a bit scared (haha) because already last year we had so many fans along the race track so – I’m excited to see how that’s going to be this year.”
Other than a camper van, ice baths and no dropper-posts – what are your keys to racing this edition of the Cape Epic?
Lukas: “We are doubling down on the Dad support! So we have two fathers now with us. Haha. Yeah we have a lot more support with Leatt being local – plus everyone here seems so nice and wanting to help. We are a lean team still, but with full support from the Leatt teams too.”
Race strategy wise, it may be a silly question but are you going full-gas from the Prologue and then wait and see?
Georg: “Yeah I mean in the Prologue everyone goes full gas… umm, after the Prologue we will know a bit more, I think. Everyday, we will look at things. We will try and keep the time gaps as little as possible. Or maybe even open up a gap in the Prologue. It’s exciting – we will see how the race goes….”
Lukas: “Yea, I don’t think we have any other option.”
Georg: “I think everyone will go full-gas in the Prologue and then see what the next day’s bring.”
Lastly, now that you are Champions of the Cape Epic, are you super professional, all corporate and serious – or are you still, at heart, just two best friends who like to go fast on bikes?
Lukas: “Aha ha ha. No, we haven’t changed much, I think we we addressed some things we had to, as part of our growth for Speed Company Racing. But um, ja, we are still the same guys who like full gas racing.”
Stay tuned for more by following @leatt_mtb and @speedcompanyracing on Instagram & Facebook.