Few pairings are more inspirational than Fred van Zyl and Eric Knoetze at the 2018 Absa Cape Epic.

Their combined ages total 128 but it is Fred that is aiming to make history at the finish on Sunday as the oldest finisher.

Fred, a former farmer and pastor from the Northern Cape who is now retired in Mossel Bay, is 71 years of age and is already the oldest person in the race.

Finishing in the top half of the field each day Fred is a more than capable rider but is also blessed with a great support team in wife Ina and their beloved Jack Russel, Choccie, who accompanies the couple everywhere, including the Epic, where you can hear her barking excitedly at each start.

Fred trains on his bike every day and adds sessions in the gym to keep himself strong and already has one Epic to his name in 2010, while Eric, 57, finished the race in 2011 and 2012. Together they are a true #ConquerAsOne team.

Fred plans to return to the race again in five years time to improve his own record as the oldest finisher.

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