Christoph Sauser and Frantisek Rabon were able to secure their first victory of the day on the third day of the Absa Cape Epic. In an exciting sprint they prevailed against Markus Kaufmann / Jochen Käß and Robert Mennen / Kristian Hynek. The 134-kilometer stage was one of the fastest this year and took the field over wide gravel roads from Robertson to the new main camp in Greyton. It was again 1800 meters to conquer. With the weather showing itself at its best, the field stayed much closer together today than in previous days. Nino Schurter and his South African teammate Philip Buys were also able to use their full experience for the first time and finished fourth, 4.51,4m XNUMXs behind.
The previous overall leaders Karl Platt and Urs Huber reached the finish line in the first large group of pursuers and finished sixth. With the good result from Topeak-Ergon, Mennen and Hynek take over the overall ranking, followed by Karl Platt and Urs Huber. Christoph Sauser and Frantisek Rabon move up to second place with their day's win.
"Finally we had a good day. We had no problems and I was able to really enjoy a stage for the first time”, according to Rabon. His teammate Sauser adds:"It's almost like last year. Everything went well today and the fact that we were able to move up to third place is great, I didn't expect that."
Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad won for the second time today. They were able to gain 2.31 minutes on the overall leaders Esther Süss and Sally Bigham and are slowly but surely closing the gap in the overall standings. “Today I could finally see something again, not like yesterday in the mud. My legs were really good today but the fast, flat stage didn't suit us so we had to do some damage control. We managed that very well today”, so sweet . Milena Landtwing and Hielke Elferink from the Meerendal Wheeler Team finished third.
result men
1. Christoph Sauser / Frantisek Rabon (Meerendal Songo Specialized) 4:53.34,7
2. Markus Kaufmann / Jochen Kaess (Centurion Vaude) +0,2
3. Robert Mennen / Kristian Hynek (Topeak Ergon) +1,7
4. Nino Schurter / Philip Buys (Scott Odlo MTB) +4.51,4
5. Roel Paulissen / Riccardo Chiarini (Torpado Factory) +10.27,3
result women
1. Ariane Kleinhans / Annika Langvad (RECM 2) 5:34.06,7
2. Esther Suss / Sally Bigham (Meerendal) +2.31,0
3. Milena Landtwing / Hielke Eiferink (Meerendal Wheeler) +18.36,9
4. Jennie Stenerhag / Theresa Ralph (Cape Brewing Company) +23.57,3
5. Sara Mertens / Laura Turpijn (Meerendal Wheeler 2) +31.05,3
Rating men
1. Robert Mennen / Kristian Hynek (Topeak Ergon) 14:56.41,8
2. Karl Platt / Urs Huber (Bulls) +9.26,6
3. Christoph Sauser / Frantisek Rabon (Meerendal Songo Specialized) +9.41,2
4. Tim Boehme / Simon Stiebjahn (Bulls 2) +12.26,8
5. Roel Paulissen / Riccardo Chiarini (Torpado Factory) ++25.50,0
Appreciation women
1. Esther Suss/Sally Bigham (Meerendal) 17:15.19,3
2. Ariane Kleinhans / Annika Langvad (RECM 2) +11.22,5
3. Jennie Stenerhag / Theresa Ralph (Cape Brewing Company) +51.23,1
4. Milena Landtwing / Hielke Eiferink (Meerendal Wheeler) +1:22.31,0
5. Sara Mertens / Laura Turpijn (Meerendal Wheeler 2) +1:38.11,7