THANK YOU FROM THE JAG FOUNDATION

On behalf of the JAG Foundation we would like to thank our JAG AllStars teams for their true passion for sport and sheer determination to take part in this gruelling challenge in support of our children on the Mighty Metres programme.



We would also like to extend our appreciation to all the teams who purchased 10 JAG charity entry slots. Portion of the entry fee will be dedicated to servicing the Mighty Metres programme.



Finally we would like to thank all the supporters and kind donors, who by pledging funds for our teams and their Epic efforts made a difference to our kids lives and gave them opportunity to dream.



We salute you all!

Cape Epic images of JAG AllStars teams

View Mighty Metres video

STAGE 7

JAG AllStars Teams 7th stage results and overall positions:

ABSA/JAG Legends - Erica Green and Willie Engelbrecht - finish time: 4:05’31 position: 22: overall position: 14

ABSA/JAG Vuvuzelas - Owen Hannie - finish time: 3:31:31 position: n/a ( due to riding individually)

ABSA/JAG Pocket Rockets - Breyton Paulse and David Kinjah - finish time: 5:23:28 position: n/a (due to riding with a new partner)

PRAGMA/JAG 200 Kilogrames of Racing Snakes - Mike Bayly and John Swanepoel - finish time: 4:45’25 position: 88 (masters): overall position: 91

PRAGMA/JAG Living Ball - Braam van Straaten and Corne Klem - finish time: 4:08:41 position: 154: overall position: 145

CYCLELAB/ JAG Warriors - Marius Hurter and Christiaan Schutte - finish time: 4:58:58 position: 259 overall position: 286

Congratulations to Andrew McLean and his partner Shan!

CYCLELAB TOYOTA – Andrew McLean and Shan Wilson – finish time: 2:56’19 position: 1: overall position: 2

SONGO.INFO Teams 7th stage results and overall positions:

SONGO.INFO Epic images

SONGO.INFO - Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander - finish time: 2:51’44 position: 4: overall position: 6

SONGO.INFO Lamond Bros – Nic and Simon Lamond - finish time: 3:54’34 position: 112: overall position: 35

SONGO.INFO 2 – Songo Fipaza and Ndiphe Ngubane -finish time: 5:13’41 position: 284: overall position: 291

Stage 6

Songo.info results:

Songo.info - Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser - finish time: 3:31.19 position: 2nd

Songo.info Lamond Bros - finish time: 4:05.55 position: 21

Stage 5

Songo.info results:
Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander (RSA). Finish time: 4:15.50 position: 1st

SONGO.info – Lamond Bros – finish time: 5:10.32 position: 27

SONGO.info 2 Songo Fipaza and Ndiphe Ngubane – finish time: 8:34.56 position: 292






JAG AllStars results:
ABSA/JAG Legends – Erica Green and Willie Engelbrecht – finish time: 5:40.12 position: 10

PRAGMA/JAG 200Kg of Racing Snakes – Mike Bayly and John Swanepoel – finish time: 7:08.38 position: 71

PRAGMA/JAG Living Ball – Braam Van Straaten and Corne Klem – finish time: 6:38.47 position: 157

CYCLELAB/JAG Warriors – Marius Hurter and Christiaan Schutte – finish time: 8:33.08 position: 290



Overall results:

Songo.info results after Stage 5:

Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander (RSA). Finish time: 22.00.56 position: 3rd

SONGO.info – Lamond Bros – finish time: 27:38.21 position: 35

SONGO.info 2 Songo Fipaza and Ndiphe Ngubane – finish time: 44:10.55 position: 298

JAG AllStars overall results after Stage 5:

ABSA/JAG Legends – Erica Green and Willie Engelbrecht – finish time: 29:11.49 position: 11

PRAGMA/JAG 200Kg of Racing Snakes – Mike Bayly and John Swanepoel – finish time: 39:09.00 position: 91

PRAGMA/JAG Living Ball – Braam Van Straaten and Corne Klem – finish time: 34:14.32 position: 145

CYCLELAB/JAG Warriors – Marius Hurter and Christiaan Schutte – finish time: 4352.54 position: 292

Mighty Metres 1km run at Stage 3 of the ABSA Cape Epic:

Stage 5 of the Epic offered another opportunity for the JAG Sports Foundation to invite local schools to participate in a 1km fun race at the Epic finish in Oak Valley.

Children from Kathleen Murray, Grabouw High, Glen Algen and Maxonia schools arrived bright and early to flex their running skills again each other.

The 1km route was measured out, ensuring that the kids experienced crossing the actual finish line.

There was much jostling for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and all the kids were excited to receive their Mighty Metre prizes.

Stage 4

JAG AllStars results:

ABSA/JAG Legends - Erica Green and Willie Engelbrecht - finish time: 5.51.57 position: 10

ABSA/JAG Pocket Rockets - Breyton Paulse and Linus van Onselen - Due to Linus getting injured, the team couldn't finish stage 4

PRAGMA/JAG 200 Kilogrames of Racing Snakes - Mike Bayly and John Swanepoel - finish time: 7.24.46 position: 78 (masters)

PRAGMA/JAG Living Ball - Braam van Straaten and Corne Klem - finish time: 6:48.48 position: 152

CYCLELAB/ JAG Warriors - Marius Hurter and Christiaan Schutte - finish time: 8:36.47 position: 295

Songo.info

Results Stage 4:
SONGO.info – Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander – finish time: 4:43.30 position 9
Overall position 2nd

SONGO.info – Lamond Bros – finish time: 5:25.02 position: 30

SONGO.info 2 Songo Fipaza and Ndiphe Ngubane: 8:32.13 position 97

Stage 3

JAG AllStars at Stage 3:

Today’s course caused a lot of chaos for the riders. Some of the pro-riders, including Songo.Info, ended up with 2mins time penalty for taking shortcuts on the course.

While the whole group of riders (approx 40 of them) extended their course by another 20kms as if the 73km’s course was not long enough…A human error? Or a technical glitch?

Our JAG AllStars arrived at the start line in mixed moods. Mike’s and Braam’s teams were both in high spirits. Interviewed by us Breyton talked about yesterday’s mental and physical challenge while looking forward to a much shorter course today - with Linus being quiet as a mouse…

Marius and Christiaan looking strong as well, with a slight wobble in Big Man’s walk but with so much energy to fire up the whole SpringBok squad (must have been all these ProNutro bars we gave them last night at diner).

Bafana Bafana star Mark Fish swung past us complaining of a sore bottom from continuously falling the day before….

With comments as per above we could only hope that the race day will finish off on a good note.

While out on route we learned that Mark is out of the race (approx 20 kms towards the finish line) due to very bad blisters, which had been diagnosed as 3rd degree burns by the medical team at one of the water points.

Arriving at the vantage point we welcomed PRAGMA (Mike’s team) and found out that even though Mike’s riding strong his partner John had suffered from nausea the whole morning.

Added to this picture were Breyton and Linus having a hard time climbing up the hills, followed by news of Marius and Christiaan riding the wrong way due to which they might have not finished before the cut off time…

The expectations were high but the current picture was far from perfect….

Even though the day finished with most of JAG AllStars teams, apart from JAG Vuvuzelas, completing Stage 3.

Cyclelab/JAG Warriors (Marius and Christiaan) arrived at the finish after the official cut off time, which had however been extended due to all 40 riders taking the wrong turn off.

The latest development of the day was to learn that the spirit of ABSA/JAG Vuvuzelas team will carry on as the race progresses. Owen Hannie will pair up with another ABSA rider, who lost his partner today, and together they’ll continue to support the JAG Foundation.

With 6 teams still in the running to support the Mighty Metres cause the Epic race continues tomorrow….

Results Stage 3:

ABSA/JAG Legends - Erica Green and Willie Engelbrecht - finish time: 5:05.07 position: 19

ABSA/JAG Vuvuzelas - Owen Hannie and Mark Fish - finish time: Mark couldn't finish because of medical reasons

ABSA/JAG Pocket Rockets - Breyton Paulse and Linus van Onselen - finish time: 7:17.26 position: 305

PRAGMA/JAG 200 Kilogrames of Racing Snakes - Mike Bayly and John Swanepoel - finish time: Official time not available

PRAGMA/JAG Living Ball - Braam van Straaten and Corne Klem - finish time: 5:26.34 position: 147

CYCLELAB/ JAG Warriors - Marius Hurter and Christiaan Schutte - finish time: Official time not available

Songo.info

Songo.info
Burry Stander & Christoph Sauser 3:19.38 (1st)

Trek
Lukas & Mathias Fluckiger 3:19.48 (2nd)

Trek – Brentjens
Bart Brentjens & Chris Jongewaard (3rd)

Cycle LAB Toyota
Shan Wilson & Andrew Mclean 3:46.05 (2nd Masters)

Mighty Metres 1km run at Stage 3 of the ABSA Cape Epic: Villiersdorp to Greyton

As a precursor to the front riders arriving at the finish line of stage 3, 40 children from local Greyton primary schools gathered together at the start line stretching and flexing in readiness for their 1km Mighty Metres Challenge.

The group walked towards the 1km starting point under a gentle Greyton morning sky. Starting their challenge with a blow of a whistle this barefoot group of enthusiastic youngsters sprinted towards the finish line of stage 3.

Angela Dickinson and Denver Jacobs were the front runners to take the 1st place, followed closely on their heels by the 2nd and 3rd place boy and girl. Deidre Erasmus, volunteer from the Emil Wede High School, commented: “The kids were complaining that 1km was just too short!”

Bron Villet, Mighty Metres programme director, responded by saying that: “Perhaps, next year, we should consider a 5km route for these energetic and keen runners.”

The culmination of the 1km Mighty Metres challenge was the opportunity for some of these kids to watch the stage winners’ presentation, followed by a photo opportunity with the winners of today’s stage: SONGO.INFO team – Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander.

Mighty Metres 1km run at Stage 3 of the ABSA Cape Epic: Villiersdorp to Greyton

As a precursor to the front riders arriving at the finish line of stage 3, 40 children from local Greyton primary schools gathered together at the start line stretching and flexing in readiness for their 1km Mighty Metres Challenge.

The group walked towards the 1km starting point under a gentle Greyton morning sky. Starting their challenge with a blow of a whistle this barefoot group of enthusiastic youngsters sprinted towards the finish line of stage 3.

Angela Dickinson and Denver Jacobs were the front runners to take the 1st place, followed closely on their heels by the 2nd and 3rd place boy and girl. Deidre Erasmus, volunteer from the Emil Wede High School, commented: “The kids were complaining that 1km was just too short!”

Bron Villet, Mighty Metres programme director, responded by saying that: “Perhaps, next year, we should consider a 5km route for these energetic and keen runners.”

The culmination of the 1km Mighty Metres challenge was the opportunity for some of these kids to watch the stage winners’ presentation, followed by a photo opportunity with the winners of today’s stage: SONGO.INFO team – Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander.

Stage 2

Stage 2: Villiersdorp - Villiersdorp.

Stage one of this year’s ABSA Cape Epic was labelled as: “the most difficult Epic course ever” by reigning Cross Country World Champion Christoph Sauser himself (team songo.info).

112kms leaved their marks on all the riders including our JAG AllStars Celebs, who after yesterday’s grueling ride, all pitched up at the start of day 2.

Today’s race was 100km long with 1527 meters of climbing with furiously quick start towards Elandskloof followed by 16-degrees slopes early in the stage. This kind of climbing required expert balance and poise just to avoid having to climb off and walk.

Next riders made their way towards Worcester then back to Robertson. In this loop there were several more steep climbs. One after the other they send riders searching for their granny gear as they winched their way up.

One of the main obstacles of the day was a 3km, technical 8% climb. But our riders couldn’t just

put down their heads and grind as they had to pick up the best lines to navigate the sharp rocks.

Of the 1200 riders who entered this year from 46 different countries, there are 361 mens teams, 11 Ladies teams, 146 Masters teams and 76 Mixed teams.

We caught up with our JAG AllStars on route and although they all looked strong some needed the occasional push up the hills.

The course was very technical and at times even the pros had to get off and carry their bikes. Many of the riders struggled with punctures caused by thorns along the way.

The difficult route caused some of the riders falling of the bikes and injuring themselves and quite a few riders complained of dehydration. Mark & Owen had quite a number of falls while Breyton, even though a bit more optimistic about the day’s route, told some of the local kids that he wish he was as good a cyclist as a rugby player. Erica & Willie had a great day and moved up to 7th position.

Braam & Corne once again finished way ahead of their follow JAG AllStars teams. Marius & Christiaan had a very long day and both hoped that the worst part of the race is now over.

To our delight we saw a glimpse of smile on Breytons face after the race day was over which indicates that so far the team is still in the running to concur the next stage of the race.

Thank you to all the JAG AllStars teams you are really living up to the name and we are extremely proud of you.

Our fellow cycle lab colleague Andrew McClain and his partner, riding for Cycle Lab Toyota once again took the 2nd spot in the Masters category, behind the ABSA Masters team.

Results Stage 2:

ABSA/JAG Legends - Erica Green and Willie Engelbrecht - finish time: 5:03.52 position: 7

ABSA/JAG Vuvuzelas - Owen Hannie and Mark Fish - finish time: 8:26.19 position: 311

ABSA/JAG Pocket Rockets - Breyton Paulse and Linus van Onselen - finish time: 7:15.39 position: 234

PRAGMA/JAG 200 Kilogrames of Racing Snakes - Mike Bayly and John Swanepoel - finish time: 7:21.44: 104 (masters)

PRAGMA/JAG Living Ball - Braam van Straaten and Corne Klem - finish time: 6:08.14 position: 132

CYCLELAB/ JAG Warriors - Marius Hurter and Christiaan Schutte - finish time: 8:36.03 position: 315

Songo.info

It was yet another victorious day for the Songo.info team, having their 3rd consecutive win. With an overall time advantage of 6 minutes and 35 seconds, Barry & Christoph will wear the yellow leader jersey for Stage 3.

They crossed the finish line in a time of 03:53:48 this was 2min and 20 sec ahead of the German Bulls team Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, which secured the Bulls second place.

The 2 remaining songo.info teams experienced numerous punctures during the stage. Nick & Simon finished in 67th position with a time of 5:30.21 and moved up to 30th position over all, Simon did however have to carry his bike for the last 5km.

The Kyamandi hero’s, Songo & Ndiphe kept on having punctures all the way thru, they were eventually helped by specialized technical support, and finished 20min before the cut off time, we wish them a much happier ride in tomorrow’s race.

Stage 1

JAG AllStars

On 22nd March the 2nd day of the ABSA Cape Epic kicked off in Gordon's Bay, with the beautiful mountains and the ocean giving the riders some distraction from the long day that lay ahead.JAG AllStars teams started with the rest of the riders at 7am. The spirits were high and everyone tried to make it out safely.

Once the gun went, the riders began climbing immediately. The early steep ascent up to Steenbras Dam stretched out the field. The riders had to deal with 200m of downhill single track followed by another 500m technical piece. The last 15km had several sharp rises on farm roads and dual track.

It took most of the JAG AllStars teams a lot longer to finish Stage 1 than they originally had estimated as the course was extremely difficult and the heat just carried on.
All riders stay in Villiersdorp tonight to begin stage 2 here. Stage 2 is 110km and will start and finish in Villiersdorp again.

JAG AllStars Teams 1st stage results:

ABSA/JAG Legends - Erica Green and Willie Engelbrecht - finish time: 6:33’21 position: 11

ABSA/JAG Vuvuzelas - Owen Hannie and Mark Fish - finish time: 9:48’42 position: 303

ABSA/JAG Pocket Rockets - Breyton Paulse and Linus van Onselen - finish time: 9:42’11 position: 293

PRAGMA/JAG 200 Kilogrames of Racing Snakes - Mike Bayly and John Swanepoel - finish time: 9:36’30 position: 110 (masters)

PRAGMA/JAG Living Ball - Braam van Straaten and Corne Klem - finish time: 8:06’10 position: 158

CYCLELAB/ JAG Warriors - Marius Hurter and Christiaan Schutte - finish time: 10:14’06 position: 328

Songo.info Teams

Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander proudly wore their leaders jerseys at the start of stage one in Gordon's Bay this morning.

History states that Stage 1 has never been easy at the ABSA Cape Epic and the 2009 edition is no exception. 112kms from Gordon's Bay to Villersdorp with 2729 metres of climbing. We caught up with the leading Songo.info team at the and they were 2 mins ahead of the Trek-Brentjens team and even further ahead of Bulls and MTN Energade team.

Christoph and Burry got to the finish line in 4 hours 50 mins and 10, secs. It was a hard ride but so very worth wearing a leader's jersey again....which is now matched with a pair of leaders pants....never to have been done in the Epic's history...that's how much ahead of everybody else these guys are....

To another great day of racing - Congratulations Suzi and Burry!

You can follow Christoph and Burry via the LIVE tracker on the Epic site: http://www.cape-epic.com/live/ridertracking.php

MEN Teams 1st stage results (Gordnon's Bay to Villiersdorp) Results:

1. Songo.info - Christoph Sauser, Switzerland and Burry Stander, South Africa finish: 4 hours 50 mins 10,5 secs
2. Bulls - Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, both from Germany, finish: 4 hours 52 mins 23,3 secs2. Bulls 2 - Tim Boehme from Geramny and Thomas Dietsch from Finland, finish: 4 hours 54 mins secs 42,4 secs
Our supporting SONGO.INFO team Nic and Simon also did extremely well today:

SONGO.INFO Lamond Bros – Nic and Simon Lamond (1st stage finish: 7 hours 17 mins 37 secs)

SONGO.INFO 2 – Songo Fipaza and Ndiphe Ngubane finish:9h 46.22min

For more images go onto the http://www.jagfoundation.com/ (gallery: ABSA Cape Epic - Songo)

Prologue

JAG AllStars at the ABSA Cape Epic Prologue

On 21st March ABSA Cape Epic Prologue kicked off at the slopes of the Table Mountain in the early hours of the morning.

JAG AllStars teams headed to the start line from 07:46am when Erica and Willie started the race in the Mixed Category.

Followed by Mike and John in the same category with 09:06 start.

Most of our other JAG AllStars teams started in the same group between 10:12 - 10:13am.The temperature of 30 degrees made the prologue challenge that much more difficult but our riders crossed the finish line with big smiles and excited about the next few days to come.

JAG AllStars Teams Prologue Results:

ABSA/JAG Legends - Erica Green and Willie Engelbrecht -

finish time: 57.17 position: 12

ABSA/JAG Vuvuzelas - Owen Hannie and Mark Fish - - finish time: 1.13,51 position: 284

ABSA/JAG Pocket Rockets - Breyton Paulse and Linus van Onselen - finish time: 1.12,54 position:269

PRAGMA/JAG 200 Kilogrames of Racing Snakes - Mike Bayly and John Swanepoel - finish time: 1.10,10 position:86

PRAGMA/JAG Living Ball - Braam van Straaten and Corne Klem - finish time: 1.05,56 position: 189

CYCLELAB/ JAG Warriors - Marius Hurter and Christiaan Schutte - finish time: 1.23,49 position: 344

SONGO.INFO steals the show at the Epic Prologue

Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander won the Epic Prologue.
Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander will wear the yellow jersey at the start of Stage 1. Songo.Info team came 1st at today's Cape Epic Prologue.

The duo beat their South African and German competitors. We'll see them as 1st team at tomorrow's start line in Gordon's Bay. Follow Christoph and Burry via LIVE TRACKER

MEN' Teams PROLOGUE Results:

1. Songo.info - Christoph Sauser, Switzerland and Burry Stander, South Africa finish: 40 mins 58,8 secs2.

2. MTN Energade - Kevin Evans, South Africa and David George, South Africa finish: 41 mins 04,1 secs3.

3. Multivan Merida - Hannes Genze, Germany, Jochen Kaess, Germany finish: 41 mins 45,3 secs