Team Absa 'first-timers' prosper after completing Day 4

As rider's completed Day 4, which is considered the halfway mark, and is the longest ride day, the news is that all five teams riding under Team Absa are still in the race, riding their hearts out for their chosen charity, Diepsloot Mountain Bike Academy, which is based in Johannesburg.

Joel Stransky and Stefan Terblanche navigate a rock garden

At least half of the teams are made up of novices to the Absa Cape Epic. One such first-timer is former Springbok and Natal Sharks rugby player, Stefan Terblanche, partnered with Joel Stranksy, who is competing in his 5th Absa Cape Epic, and who will guide Terblanche through all the rough patches.

First-timers' comments on the experience so far

Terblanche commented, "You constantly have to have meetings with yourself. This race is much tougher than a rugby match and shows you that once your mind has conquered, your body can do anything."

Another first-timer with strong legs and mind is 23 year old, Tsepo Nyirenda, who is teamed up with Clayton Duckworth under Team Absa Flying McDucks. This is Clayton's third Epic. He completed the day riding the last 30km without his right pedal.

After finishing, Nyirenda said, "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up that counts." He is a Diepsloot Mountain Bike Academy rider so this means more to him than most because whatever he is able to achieve, others will surely follow.

Actress, activist, humanitarian and motivational speaker, Hlubi Mboya, best known as 'Nandipa' in Isidingo, is also a first-timer and is teamed up with racing driver, Gugu Zulu.

Hlubi Mboya

Mboya said her mantra is to keep calm and take one day at a time. Not always possible with cramping legs, sore hands, stiff shoulders and the Cape wind, which were the elements the back markers faced yesterday. "One bite size at a time; this is how I am going to work this thing. It is tougher than I expected but I have a great partner in Gugu." This is Zulu's second Absa Cape Epic.

The Absa Cape Epic is very tough on the body and mind and only the strongest 'first-timers' will survive and complete the rest of the most gruelling mountain bike race in the world.

Absa Team's category results after Day 4/Stage 3:

• Owen Hannie and William Mokgopo (completed in 6:13.55) overall 79th position in Men's category
• Ernst Viljoen and Tim Brink (completed in 7:47.52) 115th position in Master's category
• Stefan Terblanche and Joel Stransky (completed in 6:30.38) 141th in Men's category
• Gugu Zulu and Hlubi Mboya (completed in 9:04.14) 50th in Mixed category
• Clayton Duckworth and Tsepo Nyirenda (completed in 8:27.14) 235th in Men's category