The duo will race as team Pragma Marsilio Projects in the newly established Grand Masters category.
The popular race, now in its tenth year, will take place in the Western Cape from 17 to 24 March. It will take riders through 698km of challenging mountain bike terrain with 15 650m of climbing from Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, to Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West.
Conlon and Loots will combine their skills for the fourth time as a team although both have completed the Epic five times.
Conlon, owner of a construction and development company, told the George Herald that he's really looking forward to competing against his peers in the Grand Masters category. "Although we've done well in the masters and veterans categories in previous years, we will be up against some really tough opponents.
"But we have done all we can to prepare ourselves physically for the race. Hopefully the long hours of diligent training will pay off."
Conlon says they are fortunate to have Pragma on board as a sponsor for the second consecutive year. "This is something
really special and we will do our utmost to do this relationship proud."
The duo train separately but having done countless races together over the last six years, have melted into a formidable team. Conlon says he averages between 12 and 15 hours every week. So far it has worked for him but more hours of mountain bike training "would obviously be more beneficial."
The training comes with a lot of sacrifice, says Conlon. "It, unfortunately, has to come from my family time - and that means after hours as I have a company to run during the day."
His two sons have both finished school "so it makes things at home slightly easier ...but it's not ideal."
Conlon says he does not follow a specific diet but maintains a vigilant look at his weight as every kilogram counts, "but I still enjoy my weekend beer." He says the most important ingredient to their success is your partner. "You spend an average of 80km per day in the saddle and need to be a 100% compatible or it becomes a nightmare. Luckily Lieb Loots is a great partner. We've never had a reason to get upset or argue with each other in all these years of racing together. It really is a solid partnership!
"You also need a bit of luck in an epic race like this one."
This year's route will see the bikers cycle through the Cederberg mountains. The heat and terrain could become a critical factor and that's where Lady Luck can play a role.
Tony Conlon
Mountain Biking
2012: 1st in Masters Category Trans Baviaans; 4th overall with Lieb Loots.
3rd in Masters Category Pioneer Trek
2nd overall inaugural 360° 360km Extreme MTB race with Peter Stopforth.
2011: 3rd 50-54 Category Ironman 70.3
2009: SA X Country MTB Ve-terans (45-49) Champion
2007: Won the Klein Karoo Classic MTB race (overall)
2007: Won Veterans category of Sani2c
2007: Won Trans Baviaan's 230km MTB race overall and finished in top 3 on 4 occasions
2006: Won 180° MTB race Cederberg (with Lieb Loots)
2004 - 2007 Absa Cape Epic (2006: 3rd overall in Masters category)
Other Activities
Represented SA in Triathlon at World Champs
Completed Ironman South Africa (1st Ironman in SA at Gordon's Bay)
3rd in age category (50-54) Ironman 70.3 in 2011
Completed 3 Durban Ultra Triathlons
2 Comrades Marathons.
George resident Tony Conlon (left) and his partner Lieb Loots of Durbanville will team up for this year's Absa Cape Epic, an exhilirating eight day off-road mountain bike stage race. It will be the duo's fourth Epic as a team.
