Equal pay for Cape Epic riders
THE 2014 Absa Cape Epic will match the women’s prize money to the men’s.
This comes after the 2014 route launch revealed a dramatic new route of 718km with 14 850m of climbing.
The R690 000 increase of the women’s prize money takes the race’s total prize money for all categories to R1 564 000.
Alan Cameron, managing director of Sasol Oil said, “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the legendary Absa Cape Epic. This gruelling race demands exceptional performance from all riders, regardless of their gender. We believe the prize money should reflect this and we’re therefore very proud to be increasing the 2014 women’s prize, to equal to that of the men.”
Kevin Vermaak, founder of the Absa Cape Epic added, “I believe prize money lends credibility to a professional sport. Even just a few years ago, a few hundred thousand rand was a big payout for mountain biking, not only in South Africa, but for mountain biking all over the world.”
He said he was pleased that with the help of sponsors the Absa Cape Epic had been able to consistently and substantially increase the prize money. “In return, this stimulates other races to also increase their prize money, and thereby increase professional mountain bikers’ earnings,” said Vermaak.
“South Africa must be the only country in the world where road cyclists switch to mountain biking because they can potentially earn more off-road. I’m proud of the role we have played in uplifting the professionalism of our sport in South Africa.”
Details: Absa Cape Epic; www.cape-epic.com.
