Centurion edge Bulls after minor kerfuffle

NICOLA ROHRBACH and Matthias Pfrommer of Team Centurion Vaude yesterday claimed their second stage win at the 2016 Cape Epic in a sprint finish under the oak trees of Boschendal Wine Estate.

The “back-up” Centurion Vaude outfit only came together about a week before the event, but they’ve pieced together an impressive race to now sit second in the overall standings in Stellenbosch. Rohrbach and Pfrommer finished the 93km Stage 5 in 4:07.04,4.

Second on the day went to overall race leaders Karl Platt and Urs Huber, who finished right behind Centurion Vaude. Huber, in fact, was first over the line, but Rohrbach and Pfrommer had positioned themselves between Huber and Platt to be the first pair to finish the stage.

This resulted in a minor kerfuffle at the finish, with Platt unhappy at the way Rohrbach and Pfrommer had pushed hard into the final corner – a potentially dangerous, yet race legal move so late in the day. It was all handshakes moments later, though, with Platt congratulating the race debutants on their Stage 5 victory.

With five imposing climbs between Wellington and Boschendal estate, Stage 5 of the Cape Epic was billed as the Queen Stage of the 2016 event. Even those at the front are feeling the effects of what’s turning out to be one of the hardest routes in years.

“It was tough again today,” said Bulls’ Huber. “I think because we have been going fast from the beginning every day has been hard. Even though Stage 4 was shorter it wasn’t any easier yesterday.

“There was lots of climbing – long, loose climbs and some with deep sand. There were no rolling hills, so it was hard work again. Luckily it was a bit cooler today.”

Huber, composed as always even moments after a day of racing, said the Bulls pair is now only focussing on maintaining their lead at the top and getting their hands on the tro- phy. “We were not looking at the stage win today. Right now our first goal is to win the Cape Epic,” he said. “If we are in a position for more stage wins we will take it, but the priority is to wrap the event up.”

For Rohrbach and Pfrommer, the general classification is also a priority. Currently sitting in second overall with a seven-minute lead over third- placed Samuele Porro and Damiano Ferraro (Trek-Selle San Marco A), the pair started the day in a watchful mood due to Pfrommer crashing on Stage 4. Once they realised he was feeling okay, they hit their groove.

“When Matthias felt that the injury was not too bad we got into the front today,” said Rohrbach. “We went with the Bulls and worked together. We were not focussed on the stage win at all, but we are happy to take it. For the rest of the race it’s all about the general classification.”

Rohrbach, a man with a crosscountry background and only asked to join the Centurion Vaude squad days before the event, is having a dream ride. “I’m enjoying myself and having a good time riding with Matthias. I always dreamed of one day riding the Cape Epic, but it was always very hard for me because I am not part of a team,” he said.

“Then when Centurion Vaude approached me to ride, I jumped at the chance. I joined at the last minute, but it’s working out so far.”

It was a good day for Centurion Vaude, with their other team – Daniel Geismayr and Hermann Pernsteiner – coming home third.

In ninth place on the day and seventh overall are South Africa’s Waylon Woolcock and Darren Lill (USN Purefit). The two have now extended their lead in the African special jersey over Gawie Combrinck and Nico Bell (NAD Pro MTB) to 22 minutes. “This was a target for us coming into the race,” said Lill. “So we are pleased with the way things are going.” – Own Correspondent