Epic Series Explained

Epic Series
Date:March–December
Discipline:Mountain bike racing
Type:Stage race
Organiser:Various
Website:www.epic-series.com
First:2018
Official Website:Official Site

The Epic Series is a series of mountain bike stage races held around the world. The most prestigious race is the Cape Epic. The other five functions as qualifier for it.

History

In 2018, the parliament of the Canton of Grisons signed a four-year contract with the Swiss Epic that they spend 300.000 CHF each year.[1] They will become a good pendant to the Cape Epic.[2]

Races

NameEst.MonthRegionCountryStagesLegendQualifierTriple Crown
Cape Epic2004align=center data-sort-value=1March - AprilWestern Cape8
Port to Port2014align=center data-sort-value=2late MayNewcastle4
Reef to Reef2018align=center data-sort-value=3mid AugustNorth Queensland4
Swiss Epic2014align=center data-sort-value=4late August - early September5
Cape to Cape2008align=center data-sort-value=5mid OctoberWestern Australia4
The Pioneer2016align=center data-sort-value=6late November - early DecemberSouthern Alps6
Source:[3]

Qualifications

Performance Allocation

The winners of the men's, women's, mixed, Masters and Grand Masters receive a spot at the following Cape Epic. The second placed teams of the Swiss Epic receive also a spot.[4]

Draw Allocation

One spot per category will be drawn at the final days. Only finisher of the event and no winner's are able to win the spot.[5]

Epic Series Legend Race

The three big races Cape Epic, Swiss Epic and The Pioneer are so called Legend Races.[6]

Epic Legend Medal

Bikers who finished all three Legend races receive the Epic Legend Medal.

Accomplish atNameCountryCapeSwissPioneerDurationIn one Year
2018 Swiss EpicMinter Barnard201120182016[7]
2018 Swiss EpicHaley van Leeuwen2018201820172018
2018 The PioneerTimothy Hammond2016201820182018[8]
2018 The PioneerPeter Felber201820162018
2018 The PioneerDavid Wright201320182018
2018 The PioneerEnrico Theuns201220142018
2018 The PioneerChak Shing Cheng2014201820182018
2018 The PioneerAlan Gordon201620182018
2019 Cape EpicAlexander Donaldson201920182018align=right data-sort-value="0 year, 6 months and 9 days"[9]
2019 Cape EpicKylie Burrows201920162016

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1,5 Millionen für "einzigartige Mountainbike-Veranstaltung". 2018-08-23. Die Südostschweiz. de. 1,5 million for a "unique mountain bike event". https://web.archive.org/web/20190320174717/https://www.suedostschweiz.ch/politik/2018-08-23/15-millionen-fuer-einzigartige-mountainbike-veranstaltung. 2019-03-20. live. 2019-03-20.
  2. Web site: Garantiert weitere Gäste in Graubünden. 2018-08-21. Die Südostschweiz. de. Guaranteed more guests in Grisons. https://web.archive.org/web/20190320174714/https://www.suedostschweiz.ch/sport/mehr-sport/2018-08-21/garantiert-weitere-gaeste-in-graubuenden. 2019-03-20. live. 2019-03-20.
  3. Web site: Series-races. Epic Series. https://web.archive.org/web/20190320165624/https://www.epic-series.com/series-races/. 2019-03-20. live. 2019-03-20.
  4. Web site: Swiss Epic is an absa Cape Epic Qualifier. Swiss Epic. 2019-03-20.
  5. Web site: Cape Epic Qualification. The Pioneer. https://web.archive.org/web/20190320171704/https://www.thepioneer.co.nz/overview/cape-epic-qualification/#332. 2019-03-20. live. 2019-03-20.
  6. Web site: Epic Legends. Epic Series. https://web.archive.org/web/20190320164453/https://www.epic-series.com/epic-legends/. 2019-03-20. live. 2019-03-20.
  7. Web site: Five riders are in line to earn Epic Legend medals if they complete #ThePioneer 2018!⁣. 2018-11-24. Facebook. 2019-03-20.
  8. Web site: Hammond and van Leeuwen make Epic Series history – six new Epic Legends at The Pioneer 2018. 2018-11-30. Epic Series. https://web.archive.org/web/20190320164456/https://www.epic-series.com/news/thepioneer/hammond-and-van-leeuwen-make-epic-series-history-six-new-epic-legends-at-the-pioneer-2018/. 2019-03-20. live. 2019-03-20.
  9. Web site: Old and new Epic Legends reflect on remarkable week at Absa Cape Epic. 2019-03-25. Epic Series. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327081025/https://www.epic-series.com/news/old-and-new-epic-legends-reflect-on-remarkable-week-at-absa-cape-epic/. 2019-03-27. live. 2019-03-27.