Strong finish from Olympian sets up an Epic sixth stage
THE Men’s category is set for a thrilling finale after Olympic cross-country champion Nino Schurter and teammate Matthias Stirnemann (SCOTTSRAM MTB Racing) claimed their first stage win of the 2017 Absa Cape Epic yesterday.
Thanks to another strong ride they also moved into the overall race lead after the 84km Stage 5.
Second on the day was previous stage winners Michiel van der Heidjen and Andri Frischknecht (SCOTT-SRAM Young Guns), giving the SCOTT teams excellent backto-back victories.
Third went to Christoph Sauser and Jaroslav Kulhavy (Investec-Songo-Specialized) who had dropped back to nearly two minutes behind Schurter and Stirnemann at one stage but fought magnificently to finish 17 seconds behind on the day.
After five superb days, it was a mediocre day for Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing XC). They’ve held the yellow zebra jersey since Sunday’s Prologue, but a puncture and bad day on the bike for Avancini handed the overall race lead to Schurter and Stirneman. Thanks to a ninth-place finish on the day, Fumic and Avancini have dropped to third overall, while Sauser and Kulhavy lurk in second, just 50 seconds off the front in the overall race.
On another fast day, SCOTTSRAM MTB Racing had to dig deep for the stage win, as Sauser (who was feeling off his game for the first half of the stage) and Kulhavy chased to the bitter end.
Stirnemann was left breathless after crossing the line, and had to take a few minutes to compose himself before talking to the media.
“The stage win feels great, especially after the start I had,” said Stirnemann. “In the beginning I was really struggling for rhythm. It took me quite a while to get started, but I think after the first climb of the day I started feeling much better. It was fast again from the start. In fact the whole stage was hard going…”
After trailing off, he asked the waiting media to excuse him while he took time to recover.
Schurter on the other hand looked ready for another 84km. “It’s absolutely amazing to win the stage,” he said. “On the first big climb of the day I noticed that Christoph was struggling; that’s when we decided to go for it. Both the SCOTT teams were feeling good, so it’s great that we have now taken two stages for the team.”
After moving into yellow, Schurter expects an exciting finish. “The yellow zebra jersey is obviously a bonus,” he said. “The cross-country guys have really been doing well at the Cape Epic this year; we’re happy to continue the form. Tomorrow though; anything can happen. We look forward to it.”
Earlier in the day the pace was set by the all-South African pair of Matthys Beukes and Philip Buys (PYGA Euro Steel). Eager for a stage win, Beukes and Buys bolted out of the start chute, setting a high tempo from the word go.
Unfortunately they suffered a torn sidewall, which put paid to their stage chances.
Stage six of the 2017 Cape Epic is billed as the Queen Stage – the toughest of all seven. It features the daunting Groenlandberg climb and a number of vicious up and downs – perhaps a day for the marathon experts to exert some control. – Sports Reporter