Cycling: Those moments of being the first team to cross the finish line of the Absa Cape Epic and being on top of the podium at the awards ceremony… Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes of the Scott Factory Racing Team savored it today. The two broke away early on the fourth stage of the mountain bike Tour de France and steadily increased their gap to their pursuers.
In the end, the South Africans Buys/Beukes arrived 3.31,5:XNUMX minutes ahead of their pursuers and also secured the red leader's jersey in the African classification for the first time. “We really wanted to go for a stage win today”, confirmed brand manager Joggie Prinsloo, "I'm glad the two didn't 'burst'."
However, the pursuers, with all the favorites including Investec-Songo-Specialized, Bulls, both Topeak Ergon teams and Multivan Merida, showed no signs of seriously catching the escapees again.
They were limited to checking each other as Scott Factory had been over 51 minutes behind the leaders overall in the standings.
“Today was a relatively easy stage for us, the pace wasn't that high because some teams were tired from yesterday. We were able to ride relaxed for a few hours, only from the last water point did we go faster with Topeak Ergon", said the Czech Jaroslav Kulhavy.
At the second aid station all favorites were still close together, Scott Factory Racing was 2 minutes ahead. The 111-kilometre loop in the mountains around the stage town of Worcester was once again very demanding on the equipment. Sharp-edged rocks and lots of thorns made the approximately 1200 participants struggle with numerous punctures and technical defects. Unfortunately, Urs Huber, the Swiss partner of four-time Epic winner Karl Platt, was also hit.
Alban Lakata:
Despite the puncture sealant in the tubeless tires, the rear tire kept deflating in front of aid station 3, so they had to let the leaders go. Robert Mennen (Topeak Ergon) had the same problem, but the rear wheel held and he went into the final 15km of the race with the Bulls, just behind the second lead group. They crossed the finish line together with Multivan Meridas José Hermida (ESP)/Rudi van Houts (NED). “Today Jose had problems at the beginning, but it got better and better and in the end we were able to keep up. It's always a change for me. When you step on the gas, it really hurts and then again you feel good and you're going fast. A lot of the Cape Epic is mental, you just have to keep a strong head and a good attitude. This is my 5th time here. We've often only driven to stage wins, but this time a podium finish in the general classification could be within reach.", says van Houts at the finish.
A clear thing was, again, the Sasol women's ranking. Ariane Kleinhans (SUI) and Marathon World Champion Annika Langvad (DEN) from RECM Specialized had recovered well after yesterday's effort and started again from the front. "We've had extra thick tires and haven't had any flats yet," said Ariane Kleinhans, “That and the fact that we can start with the fast men in the A group means a lot for us. We're trying to stay with the fast men for as long as possible." Even a fall by Langvad shortly before the finish did not upset the dominating women.
Ariane Kleinhans:
In the end there was a lead of more than twenty minutes ahead of the second-placed team Ascendis Health with Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) and Robyn Lee de Groot (RSA).
Birthday driver Esther Suess (SUI) and her partner Alice Pirard (BEL) treated themselves to a podium finish for their birthday.
Bad luck for XC Eliminator World Champion Kathrin Stirnemann of Team World Bicycle Relief. The Swiss had to stop the race after breathing problems, and the Norwegian mountain bike legend Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesja crossed the finish line alone.
Now follows the second longest stage of the Absa Cape Epic 2015 with 117 kilometers and 2500 meters in altitude when the field changes from Worcester to the penultimate stage town of Wellington. After a flat stretch to warm up, the first ascents of the Fonteinjies mountains begin.
Interim result after Stage 4 men
1. Investec Songo Specialized Christoph Sauser / Jaroslav Kulhavy – 19:05.20,4
2. Topeak-Ergon Alban Lakata / Kristian Hynek – 19:12.42,2
3. Multivan Merida Jose Hermida / Rudi van Houts – 19:18.05,9
4. Team Bulls Karl Platt / Urs Huber – 19:20.10,9
5. Novus OMX Pro Martin Gujan / Fabian Giger – 19:49.31,3
Interim result after Stage 4 women
1. RECM Specialized Ariane Kleinhans / Annika Langvad – 22:59.08,0
2. Ascendis Health Jennie Stenerhag / Robyn Lee de Groot - 23:29.02,5
3. Meerendal Wheeler Esther Suss / Alice Pirard – 23:36.55,4
4. Sasol Racing Yolande de Villiers / Janka Keseg Stevkova – 24:08.52,2
5. RBS Theresa Ralph / Jeannie Bomford - 24:12.30,4:XNUMX