'It is always too soon to quit' – Kate Courtney revives Cape Epic challenge with last minute recruitment of Greta Seiwald after Melisa Rollins crash

Kate Courtney, the American cross-country star, has successfully salvaged her Absa Cape Epic campaign by securing Greta Seiwald as a last-minute partner. This swift recruitment follows the unfortunate withdrawal of Courtney's original teammate, Melisa Rollins, due to a crash. Seiwald, fresh off a victory at the four-day Tankwa Trek in South Africa, will now race alongside Courtney in the formidable eight-day mountain bike stage race, which commences shortly.

This eleventh-hour partnership is a critical development for Courtney, whose Cape Epic aspirations faced an abrupt end. The event's unforgiving nature and the necessity of a strong, compatible duo make such a late change incredibly challenging. Seiwald's recent form at Tankwa Trek, a demanding precursor to the Epic, suggests she's in prime condition, offering a glimmer of hope for the hastily assembled pair. For Courtney, a former World Champion, her reputation and the significant investment from her sponsors depend on a credible showing.

The Cape Epic, as ever, demands adaptability and resilience. Courtney's quick thinking has kept her in the game, but transforming two individual talents into a cohesive, competitive unit in mere days is a testament to optimism, or perhaps, desperation.