When the Absa Cape Epic’s commentary crosses over to the route for live updates, they aren’t turning to input from a static camera or colleague.
Instead, thanks to one of the great Untamed African MTB Race innovations, they cross live to three-time Absa Cape Epic winner Stefan Sahm, who is right in the thick of the action on his BULLS Media E-bike.
Since 2016 - the year after Sahm raced his last Absa Cape Epic - the event has been broadcasting up-close and personal footage of elite riders, thanks to several on-board cameras showing how he works furiously to keep up with the action. Together with a team of BULLS E-bike riders and improvements in broadcast technology, Sahm can show elite mountain bike racing in all its physically demanding glory. Without the noise and smells that come with using motorbikes, he can immerse himself in the peloton with minimum distraction to the racing - and having the trust of the peloton as a decorated professional himself - brings an intimate point of view that is embraced by both riders and fans of the sport. Mastering the art of communicating with the production team, his support crew on the ground and the other live broadcasters, while chasing the best technical riders in the world and offering live commentary at the same time brings mountain bike broadcasting to a new level.
And while he’s on an e-bike, it’s no pleasure cruise on the Absa Cape Epic route.
Absa Cape Epic: Does it get harder or easier to ride at the front?
Stefan: Haha. It gets harder every year. We started in 2016, I think. And I definitely don’t remember it being that hard back then. The racing is so fierce now. There is no more chilling on the bike or ‘easy’ days for me.
ACE: What else has changed in that time that affects your role?
Stefan: The route has become more technical in the last few years, so now it becomes very stressful when I am following the leaders on the trails because it is not so easy to pass anymore - sometimes I get stuck behind riders or I have to move to let riders pass. And then suddenly I will get the order from the TV Director that I need to get to the front of the race! The difficult thing now is trying to follow in the technical sections, especially on the descents. Uphill is not bad and that is recovery time for me - but pushing it on the downhills is getting harder and harder.
ACE: How do you train for your role at the Absa Cape Epic then?
Stefan: My training has changed at home to reflect the changes in the racing. So now I do a lot more technical riding (also because I enjoy it). I don’t do the big miles any more - but that is also because I have another job where I work in quality control for the company that owns Team Bulls.
ACE: When you were racing could you ever have predicted doing something like this?
Stefan: Haha. No way. First of all, when I was racing, no one was ever thinking or talking about e-bikes. But I think I retired at the perfect transition phase because when I stopped racing, e-bikes were starting to become more prevalent on the scene and getting better. They were fun to ride as opposed to the earlier versions. Even when I compare the first e-bike I had to what I am riding now, the difference is huge. My current BULLS E-bike is just an incredible machine. It’s fast and agile and really fun to ride.
ACE: Would you agree that the footage from the BULLS E-bike has been a game-changer for the event’s coverage?
Stefan: I think so! I have the best seat in the house and there is no better place to be to watch the race but that was the intention and the motivation when we started this, to bring the ride into the homes of fans. It gives the people who enjoy the epic but maybe won't have the chance to ride the chance to experience the trails, the dust and the action.
ACE: Any ambitions to race or ride the Absa Cape Epic again?
Stefan. No. Haha. That is a hard no.