No one ever wants to leave a race before the race is done. That’s never been truer than today, when Specialized rider, Sam Gaze, announced that he was pulling out from the Absa Cape Epic. A crash that Sam experienced during Stage One of the Epic continues to affect this rider and prompts his early departure.
Sam Gaze. Photo credit: Michal Cerveny.
Sam, who teamed this year with defending champion, Jaroslav Kulhavy, crashed during the first day of racing, but soldiered on to finish. Feeling strong, Sam returned for a second day of competition and raced well for the first half hour, but soon began to experience the effects of the prior day’s crash. Ultimately, he finished 28 minutes behind the leaders on the day.
After another solid day of rest, Sam decided to toe the line this morning for stage three of the Epic, but soon thereafter decided to exit the event. Though off of the bike for the remainder of the week, Sam is staying, here in South Africa to support the team through the Cape Epic.
Sam voluntarily withdrew himself from Stage 3 of the Absa Cape Epic due to his symptoms. He has been diagnosed with a significant concussion following a neurological assessment by the MediClinic medical team, and in the interest of rider safety, has been medically withdrawn from the race.
While Sam is torn over leaving the Epic early, we wholeheartedly support his decision. Sam’s health and full recovery are our top priority.
