The Topeak-Ergon team with Robert Mennen and Kristian Hynek wins the eleventh edition of what is probably the most prestigious mountain bike marathon race in the world, the Absa Cape Epic. On the last day, too, they managed to defend their lead over Christoph Sauser and Frantisek Rabon. However, the day's victory was settled under Scott Odlo with Nino Schurter and Philip Buys and the Scott Factory Team with the South African duo Mattheys Beukes and Gert Heyns.
After almost 45 kilometers, the two Scott teams pulled away from the rest of the field. Beukes and Heyns were so motivated by the prospect of winning in front of their home crowd that they became the first South African team to win the final stage of a Cape Epic. “Once we realized we were in the lead and we could win the stage in front of friends and family, nothing could have stopped us. We could have gone on like this forever”, said Beukes after writing Cape Epic history with his partner.
Mennen and Hynek crossed the finish line in the second chasing group together with their closest rivals Sauser and Rabon. "This is my revenge for the last year", which Mennen is referring to last year's accident in which he collided with an antelope and broke his collarbone. Mennen never dreamed that he would be able to win the Absa Cape Epic, even though he only started as a substitute for the injured Alban Lakata. "It's an incredible feeling and all after we've had so much bad luck over the past few days."
Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad also won the last stage. After catching up a 24-minute deficit, they win the women's classification by a clear margin. With six stage victories, they dominated the women's field in a way that few teams have managed before. "Finishing at Lourensford was amazing, it's just amazing to win here", said Kleinhans after her victory. Esther üße and Sally Bigham didn't have a suitable answer to the strong RECM 2 team on the final day either. They took second place, followed by Milena Landtwing and Hielke Elferink.
result men
1. Matthys Beukes / Gert Heyns (Scott Factory Racing) 3:00.02,3
2. Nino Schurter / Philip Buys (Scott Odlo MTB) +0,3
3. Roel Paulissen / Riccardo Chiarini (Torpado Factory) +2.21,9
4. Lukas Flueckiger / Martin Fanger (BMC MTB Racing) +4.24,7
5. Tim Boehme / Simon Stiebjahn (Bulls 2) +4.25,0
result women
1. Ariane Kleinhans / Annika Langvad (RECM 2) 3:32.59,0
2. Esther Suss / Sally Bigham (Meerendal) +10.07,6
3. Milena Landtwing / Hielke Eiferink (Meerendal Wheeler) +15.32,9
4. Jennie Stenerhag / Theresa Ralph (Cape Brewing Company) +31,09,9
5. Sara Mertens / Laura Turpijn (Meerendal Wheeler 2) +39.49,7
Rating men
1. Robert Mennen / Kristian Hynek (Topeak Ergon) 30:31.59,2
2. Christoph Sauser / Frantisek Rabon (Meerendal Songo Specialized) +10.23.2
3. Tim Boehme / Simon Stiebjahn (Bulls 2) +13.26,0
4. Roel Paulissen / Riccardo Chiarini (Torpado Factory) +15.28,7
5. Nino Schurter / Philip Buys (Scott Odlo MTB) +16.48,0
Appreciation women
1. Ariane Kleinhans / Annika Langvad (RECM 2) 34:54.53,7
2. Esther Suss / Sally Bigham (Meerendal) +37.44,4
3. Jennie Stenerhag / Theresa Ralph (Cape Brewing Company) +2:40.44,3
4. Milena Landtwing / Hielke Eiferink (Meerendal Wheeler) +3:18.21,8
5. Sara Mertens / Laura Turpijn (Meerendal Wheeler 2) +4:38.51,9