YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO SUPPLEMENTS FOR PEAK ENDURANCE AT THE ABSA CAPE EPIC
SUPPLEMENTS
The Absa Cape Epic isn’t just a race; it’s a test of endurance, strategy, and mental grit. To crush every stage, your body needs more than just determination—it needs the right supplements to fuel your performance and recovery.
The Absa Cape Epic, one of the most prestigious mountain bike stage races, typically consists of 8 stages
600 — 700 km ELEVATION GAIN
15 000 m
TOTAL DISTANCE COVERED
THE IMPORTANCE OF USING THE CORRECT SUPPLEMENTS
Endurance athletes need top-quality nutritional support for peak performance.
Did you know that participating in the Absa Cape Epic can burn upwards of 4,000 calories (16,700 kJ) in just four hours? That’s the equivalent of an entire 1 kg tub of USN Pro Recover! With this level of energy expenditure on gruelling trails and tough climbs, your body requires a constant supply of easily digestible nutrients to sustain your performance and accelerate recovery.
Protein, like the high-quality blend in Pro Recover, plays a crucial role. Each pedal stroke stresses your muscles, leading to micro-tears that need repairing. Protein helps rebuild and strengthen these tissues by breaking down into amino acids. Without enough protein, you risk slower recovery and compromised
performance during the next stage. But protein is only part of the equation—your body also demands carbohydrates to replenish energy, electrolytes for hydration, and other essential nutrients to maintain endurance and recovery over multi-day stages.
Ready to take your Absa Cape Epic nutrition strategy to the next level? Dive into this guide for a complete breakdown of the must-have supplements and how to use them to conquer every stage!
The following pages will discuss THE USAGE AND BENEFITS
SUPPLEMENT
Supplementing before a race primes your body for peak performance by fuelling energy reserves, maintaining hydration, and reducing muscle breakdown. Proper pre-race nutrition ensures sustained energy, better endurance, and faster recovery.
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4 DAYS PRIOR
2X DAILY three tablets
Cramp Block
2X
4 DAYS PRIOR THE PROLOGUE
2X DAILY one capsule
VO2 Max
BEFORE BREAKFAST
2 TABLETS
Cramp Block
1
Zero Sugar Hydrator SACHET
Zero Sugar Hydrator DAILY one sachet SERVING Epic Pro 2
1CAPSULE
VO2 Max
AFTER BREAKFAST ONE HOUR BEFORE START IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROLOGUE
1 SERVING Pro Recover
2 TABLETS
Cramp Block
BEFORE & DURING EVERY STAGE START OFTHEDAY
Epic Pro 2 BREAKFAST
VO2 Max ½ SERVING
1CAPSULE
OFEACH STAGE
SERVING Epic Pro 2
SERVING Epic Pro 2
1CAPSULE
2 TABLETS
Cramp Block
WHILE CYCLING
ISO Fuel 160 Energy Liquid
1 Zero Sugar Hydrator SACHET
1TABLET
VO2 Max SERVING Cyto Power OPTIONAL
HALFWAY LUNCH TIME FOR EVERY HOUR OF RIDING
Cramp Block
OF EACH STAGE
WHILE CYCLING
WHILE CYCLING EATEN Caffeinated Vooma Energy Fuel Gel
Vooma Nougat bars
SERVING Pro Recover SERVING Pro Recover
4
Cramp Block TABLETS BEFORE BED
OF THE DAY
CRAMP BLOCK
Phosphate loading for strength, endurance, recovery and fatigue reduction.
INSTANT CRAMP BLOCKING
TABLETS
The harder your body works, the higher your demands for phosphates and electrolytes (your body’s ‘salts’) are. When you’re depleted, you compromise strength, endurance and physical and mental energy. Cramp Block should be used daily.
Maintain your phosphate saturation with 2-4 tablets daily.
For phosphate loading leading up to a race: Start 4-5 days prior by taking 6-8 tablets daily and then 2-4 tablets the morning before your race. In the case of stage races, take another four tablets after each stage.
VO2 MAX
Increases oxygen uptake and storage, helping muscles work harder for longer.
VO2 Max enhances oxygen uptake, storage, and utilization, enabling muscles to perform at higher intensities for longer durations. It supports cardiovascular function and optimizes oxygen absorption while protecting the cardiovascular system during intense activity.
EPIC PRO 2
An all-in-one ultra-endurance drink for high performance and rapid recovery.
AWARD-WINNING ULTRA ENDURANCE DRINK
This fast-absorbing, high-impact energy drink keeps your body fueled and hydrated during intense training and events.
Epic Pro 2’s advanced formulation provides long-term energy for endurance activities and minimises the risk of cramping through magnesium and mineral replenishment.
PRO RECOVER
A high-protein, full-body recovery drink to be consumed after your ride or race.
ULTRA-EFFECTIVE RECOVERY SHAKE
A delicious and complete full-body recovery drink for use immediately after each ride or race. It’s high in easily digestible whey protein and carbs.
Take one full serving following your training session or race, and take another full serving two hours after your first meal when competing in stage races.
ISO FUEL 160
Convenient on-the-go liquid cramp block isotonic gel that replenishes electrolytes and provides energy.
ON-THE-GO LIQUID CRAMP BLOCK ISOTONIC GEL
Convenient on-the-go liquid cramp block isotonic gel that replenishes electrolytes and provides energy. This easy-digestible gel will boost energy and sustain endurance performance for longer by making use of a tri-carb matrix for variable energy release times.
VOOMA BAR
A high-energy electrolyte bar.
ULTRA-DIGESTIBLE NOUGAT BAR
Vooma Race Fuel bar assists in reducing cramps, provides a sustained energy boost and improves stamina.
Always take a few Vooma gels on your ride to energy fuel for any time during
PERFORMANCE BOOST
A high-energy output drink with caffeine and performance nutrients.
ENERGY KICK FOR LATE-STAGE
Keep your body fuelled for intense workouts with Cyto Power. Cyto Power is a high-energy output drink with caffeine and performance nutrients for sustainable energy, increased alertness, rehydration and recovery.
The three-stage glycomatrix carbohydrates release energy at varying times during the day, ensuring long-, medium- and short-term energy for enhanced endurance.
SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE
