Well-known cyclists, Jose Hermida (31) from Spain and his partner Rudi van Houts (26) of the Netherlands, will participate in the 2010 Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas as Multivan Merida Biking Team 2.

The event, which takes place from 21 to 28 March 2010, will lead 1 200 cyclists through vast distances of new territory previously untouched by the race, kicking off at Diemersfontein and ending at the historical finish line of the prestigious Lourensford Wine Estate.
 
Hermida boasts a number of titles including runner-up in the European Championships, Spanish National Champion, and winner of the UCI World Cup in Pietermaritzburg last year. Van Houts was the 2005 European U23 Champion, the National U23 Champion (Netherlands) in 2006, third overall in the 2007 Absa Cape Epic and finished in 14th position at last year’s World Championships Marathon.

According to Hermida, who will be giving the amateur riders a humorous summary of the day’s events for the pro-riders in the dining marquees, the decision to participate in this year’s Absa Cape Epic was an easy one.

“After last year’s Cape Epic, I won the World Cup Championship in Pietermaritzburg, so it must mean that this event is good preparation as well as a provider of good luck.”

This will be Hermida’s third Absa Cape Epic. He participated in the event in 2007 with Ralph Naef and in 2009 with Moritz Milatz. “Our stage win in 2007 was great. I really liked the route last year – there were stages with a lot of single trails which I love.”

This will be Van Houts’ second Absa Cape Epic – he participated in 2007 with Bart Brentjens. “My fondest memory was winning two stages in 2007. And it really feels super to finish after you worked so hard for a week!”

Hermida also reckons the Absa Cape Epic is a great event because it caters to all cyclists and not just the pro-riders. “Be regular in all your stages and don’t forget to enjoy it. Nothing can be planned in this event. Each day has to be taken as it comes and needs to be treated as a single day stage race.

"On paper, all the stages could be difficult or easy. The experience depends on the speed and fitness of the riders. But one thing is certain – the time trial will be one of the most difficult stages this year.”

Van Houts’ advice is to prepare well and ‘fight like a lion”. He adds: “Try to conserve energy in the first few stages so that you can finish strong.” He believes the final stage will be the easiest for him. “I improve as we go along.”

Hermida and Van Houts do not train together as often as they would like to as Hermida lives in Spain and Van Houts in the Netherlands. Says Hermida: “We do however train together during the World Cup season.”

Hermida is a great fan of the new Absa Cape Epic route. “I really like it and feel that two nights in the same place, as well as the time trial after a few days of long stages, will make the Cape Epic more competitive. All the pros can ‘rest’ more and therefore ensure that the last couple of days of the event are fast.” Van Houts’ comment on the new route is simple. “I’ll have to experience it before I can really say what it’s like.”

Hermida does not do extra training for this event or follow a specific diet. “All I do is train a bit longer on the last few days on my road and mountain bikes, but that’s about it. For the last three months I’ve been training in Spain.

"I live in a mountainous area (near the Pyrenees) and have been doing quite a lot of cross-country skiing as well as some cyclo-cross races. I’m also sure I’ve done more than 2 500km on my bike since January.”

Van Houts adds: “I eat a lot, but try to stick to healthy food. I train a lot on my road bike in combination with power training in the gym and cyclo-cross races. I’ve mostly been training at home in the Netherlands, but also spent 10 days in the south of France, one week in Mallorca as well as a week in Tuscany, Italy. From November until the start of the Cape Epic, I would’ve done about 7 500km on my bike.”

For Hermida spending so much time away from home is part of his job. “I enjoy travelling but this year I’m a father for the second time and really like to spend time with my family.” Van Houts says he likes being away. “As a professional mountain biker, I spend about 30% of my time away from home. In winter I like to go out with friends and go skiing for a week.
 It’s also nice to go ‘downhilling’ with other bikers.”