Epic race throws up new leaders
SWISS PAIR UPSTAGE SAUSER, KULHAVY
Within striking distance of a record sixth victory at the annual mountain bike race in the Western Cape, Swiss rider Christoph Sauser admits he and Czech partner Jaroslav Kulhavy still have plenty of work to do if they hope to win the Absa Cape Epic.
Olympic cross country champion Nino Schurter of Switzerland and compatriot Matthias Stirnemann won the fifth stage yesterday, moving into the lead for the first time in the race.
Sauser and Kulhavy (Investec-Songo Specialized) struggled at the start, with Sauser feeling ill in the morning.
He recovered, however, and they produced a late surge to finish third on the stage, just 17 seconds off the pace. They were 50 seconds behind in the runners-up spot in the general classification with two stages remaining.
German Manuel Fumic and Brazilian team-mate Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing), who had led from day one, slipped to third place overall after picking up two punctures.
“What started as a bad day ended as a positive,” Sauser said.
“Tomorrow is a long day, but I wouldn’t say we are favourites.
“Everyone has shown that they are so strong this week, and the terrain is super rough out there.
“The potential for mechanicals is very high.”
In the women’s race, South African rider Robyn de Groot and Ascendis Health team-mate Sabine Spitz of Germany won the stage, just ahead of overall leaders Esther Suss of Switzerland and Jennie Stenerhag of Sweden (Meerendal CBC), though they remained 12 minutes behind in second place in the general classification.