Dirk Rossignol will attempt his 10th Absa Cape Epic in 2013. Photo: Sportograf/Absa Cape Epic
Dutchman Dirk Rossignol will participate in the 2013 Absa Cape for the 10th time, partnering with Ignance Spruyt.
The 49-year-old boasts five podium finishes during his 10-year stint on the event. He is also a finisher of the Australian Crocodile Trophy and has participated in a number of 24 hour races.
The legendary Absa Cape Epic will see Rossingnol, together with approximately 1 200 riders, complete the demanding eight-day mountain bike adventure of 698km with 15 650m of climbing from Citrusdal to Lourensford Wine Estate.
Rossignol, who started mountain biking in 2000, works in the construction and renovations industry. He considers his biggest achievement a 14-day cycle through the Australian Outback in which he unexpectedly did very well overall.
In terms of family life and commitments, Rossignol adds: “It’s very tricky and sometimes it requires a little bit of selfishness – unfortunately.”
His training consists of hard and long hours on the bike. “I build up cycling hours from October to December, on average 12 to 18 hours per week. In January, I do a lot of road cycling – approximately five hours at a time – and I run three times a week.
“Two weeks prior to the Cape Epic, I do sessions of maximum four hours each. I don’t follow a special diet and never use power, recovery, anti cramp, super power products, but I consume kilos of biltong. It’s the best food for sport.”
Rossignol has participated in the Cape Epic since its inception in 2003 and says that he could not picture life without the race.
“It has definitely changed the winter season, with long training sessions. It’s hard to say what the ultimate highlight of all my Cape Epic adventures has been.
“The 2005 edition of the event is a nice one as I appeared on the Master’s podium thrice.” Rossignol adds that his strengths lie in the technical strokes and downhills.
“My most memorable moment, I’d have to say was my first stage in 2004 when my body was in cramps after 75km and I was screaming and swearing that I would never ever do this again. Eighty two stages later and it’s still as hard as before, but at least now I know what to expect,” says Rossignol.
