Cycling: Triumph across the board for Swiss bike legend Christoph Sauser (Investec-Songo-Specialized). A nicer farewell to the professional career than with a victory at the Absa Cape Epic is hardly possible. With Jaroslav Kulhavy, Sauser became the first biker to win the prestigious eight-day mountain bike race for the fifth time. A ten-minute lead over the main rivals Alban Lakata (AUT) and Kristian Hynek (CZE) from the Topeak Ergon team was enough on the final stage over 92 kilometers to the Meerendal winery near Cape Town. Co-favorites Karl Platt (GER) and Urs Huber (SUI), Team Bulls, finished third overall.
To uphold the honor of their sponsor, Jochen Käß and Daniel Geismayer (Meerendal Centurion Vaide) rode an unleashed race from the front and clinched the stage win of the finals. Only José Hermida and Rudi van Houts (Multivan Merida) could match the high pace, taking an amazing second place after the Spaniard's stomach problems from the day before. The Swiss Martin Gujan and Fabian Giger (Novus OMX Pro) were third.
“These moments are truly rare ,” said a moved and champagne-soaked Sauser at the finish line. “When I’m old, it might mean a lot to me to have won the Epic five times right now. For now, I’m just enjoying this moment .” Crossing the finish line as the overall winner was a “huge, huge relief” for him . Even the usually reserved Olympic champion Kulhavy had a broad grin on his face. “It’s fantastic to ride a race like this with Susi. I enjoyed every kilometer today, and especially crossing the finish line.”
Hynek said after the final: “I didn’t think I’d be disappointed with second place. Not being able to defend the title (which he won with Robert Mennen last year) hurts more than I expected….”
“My big goal is to win the Absa Cape Epic. I should actually be satisfied. After finishing 5th, 4th, and 3rd, now second – the only thing left is number 1. The competition was very strong this year; Susi and Jara rode a touch better than us. We also lacked a bit of luck on some days. Unfortunately, we finished without a stage win, and today I crashed and injured my knee, so there was simply nothing more I could do. I'm also very happy with second place overall,” said his teammate Alban Lakata.
Karl Platt, a four-time Epic winner, was somewhat disappointed at the finish. “I was only able to half enjoy the Epic this time – we probably put too much pressure on ourselves.” His partner, Urs Huber, said he suffered extremely during the last two stages.
The Scott Factory Racing team of Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes, who won Stage 5, also became the first African team to finish to take the overall African leader's jersey.
A large chocolate cake awaited Annika Langvad at the finish line – the three-time marathon world champion celebrated her birthday in style with an overall victory at the Absa Cape Epic. Riding alongside Ariane Kleinhans on Team RECM Specialized, the Dane was never in danger of losing. Not even a time penalty after a wrong turn could slow them down. “We are very happy. Birthday, victory, overall victory, we have plenty to celebrate today,” said a delighted Annika Langvad after crossing the finish line. The pair had already high-fived the spectators along the course three kilometers before the finish.
The incredible performance of the two women is even better rewarded at this year's Absa Cape Epic than the overall winners in the men's category. Thanks to women's category sponsor Sasol, the prize money at the Epic is as high as that of the men: Kleinhans/Langvad receive 200000 South African Rand for overall victory, seven times 5000 Rand for stage victory and victory at the Sasol Hotspots (three mountain classifications). it 15000 Rand each.
The leaders of the mixed overall classification, Ivonne Kraft (GER) and Peter Vesel (SLO), lost a few minutes due to a broken chain, but their overall victory was never in doubt, with a 39-minute lead over the next two teams. "A dream has come true for Peter," said Kraft. "He's wanted to participate in the Absa Cape Epic for ten years, and to have now won both the stage and the overall title is like a miracle."
Cyclocross specialist Hanka Kupfernagel, riding with experienced Epic Master Karsten Bresser (Team Dietrich Rocky Mountain), missed the podium, finishing fourth in her Epic debut. “It was crazy ,” said the cross and road specialist, “but I got better and better and can now even imagine riding a few mountain bike races again.”
In the Masters, the leaders Bart Brentjens/Abraao Azevedo (BETCH.nl-Suiperior) remained sovereign. The pursuers Pfitzenmaier/Simm (RSA, Team Dorma Robert Daniel) were severely handicapped by Pfitzenmaier's broken finger and finished 24 minutes behind, but secured second place in the overall ranking.
The Grandmasters Barti Bucher (SUI) and Heinz Zoerweg (AUT), Team Meerendal BIXs KTM, unbeatable with seven daily wins, rolled towards an unchallenged overall victory.