Kulhavy, Sauser speed to win

AS THE temperature climbed into the high 30s at the Cape Epic for the third day in a row, any grumbles about shortening stage 2 yesterday melted away and were replaced by chatter about the hot racing up front.

Conditions at this year’s event saw the organisers make a decision based on medical advice late on Monday to shorten stage 2 to 62km.

The planned 102km from Hermanus to Elandskloof was changed and riders finished just outside Caledon. The men’s field still cranked up the heat on what became a long, fast cross-country course.

Czech Jaroslav Kulhavy and Swiss Christoph Sauser (Investec-Songo-Specialized) were first in a sprint over the line to claim their first stage win of this year’s event, with Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann (SCOTTSRAM MTB Racing) just behind in second. Overall leaders Manual Fumic and Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing XC) finished third, but hold an almost three-minute lead over Sauser and Kulhavy overall.

In the race for the Hansgrohe Women’s category there were only two teams fighting for the stage win, but it came down to a tight battle at the end with Jennie Stenerhag and Esther Suss (Meerendal CBC) claiming their second stage win in two days. Their nearest rivals, Robyn de Groot and Sabine Spitz, were second, but Meerendal CBC’s overall lead now sits at eight minutes and 58 seconds.

In the race for the Absa African special jersey, PYGA Euro Steel’s Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes took control and are 11 minutes up on BCX (Waylon Woolcock and Hendrik Kruger).

Leading African women are South African Candice Lill and Namibian Vera Adrian, who are fifth in the women’s category. – Sports Reporter