Elite riders turn up heat in shortened Epic stage
AS the temperature climbed in the high 30°C at the Absa Cape Epic for the third day in a row, any grumbles about shortening Stage 2 melted away yesterday and were replaced by chatter about the hot racing up front.
The organisers made a decision – on medical advice – to shorten Stage 2 to 62km over the weather conditions.
The planned 102km from Hermanus to Elandskloof near Greyton was changed, on Monday night’s advice, and riders finished at what would have been the second water point for the day at the Botanical Gardens outside Caledon.
The shorter distance, though, meant nothing to the elite men’s field as they cranked up the heat on what essentially became a long, fast cross-country course.
Jaroslav Kulhavy and Christoph Sauser (Investec-Songo-Specialised) were first over the line in a sprint to claim their first stage win of this year’s event, with Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann (Scott-Sram MTB Racing) just behind them in second.
Overall leaders Manual Fumic and Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing XC) came third, but hold an almost three-minute lead over Sauser and Kulhavy in the race for this year’s title.
From the outset, the pace was furious as some teams eyed a potential stage win and the three leading teams shot away midway through the stage to fight a three-way sprint at the end.
“It was great. I knew when they made it shorter we could expect a fast day,” Olympic champion Schurter said. “Our plan was to see how the day unfolded. We decided to attack on the hotspot and Manny and Henrique came with us.
“Jaro and Susi dropped off, but then after some singletrack there was a flat section where Jaro’s power helped. Susi was able to hang in and they were over the line first.”
There were only two teams fighting for the stage win in the race for the Hansgrohe Women’s category, but it also came down to a tight battle at the end.
Jennie Stenerhag and Esther Suss (Meerendal CBC) claimed their second stage win in two days, with Robyn de Groot and Sabine Spitz (Ascendis Health) right behind in second.
Third on the day went to defending champion Ariane Luthi and her new partner Adelheid Morath (Spur).
Meerendal CBC’s overall lead is now eight minutes and 58 seconds.