Cycling: The twelfth edition of the Absa Cape Epic, probably the toughest marathon race in the world, started today, Sunday. The Swiss team led by Fabian Giger and Martin Gujan surprisingly won the prologue and is going into tomorrow's stage with the leader's jersey.
"It's my first time in a leader's jersey at Cape Epic, that's great"said the surprise winner of the prologue, Swiss Fabian Giger (Team Novus OMX Pro). Together with his partner Martin Gujan, they beat the favorites of the world's most famous mountain bike race by 18 seconds on the 20-kilometer loop. Karl Platt and Urs Huber (Team Bulls) finished second at the University of Cape Town, five seconds ahead of the favorite Investec-Songo-Specialized team.
The Swiss Specialized rider Christoph Sauser exceptionally had to struggle with the tough climbs and the high speed of his partner, Olympic champion Jaroslav Kulhavy. “At the end of the race I felt better again”, Sauser said. I think that will work again tomorrow on the longer route.”
Four-time Epic winner Karl Platt had to endure a few moments of shock when a lot of dust was whirled up by the accompanying helicopter. "I couldn't recognize the track anymore, fortunately the dust cleared very quickly, but I'm pretty scared"said Platt at the finish.
The Swiss-South African team Kargo Pro MTB with Emil Lindgren and Brendon Davids finished fourth ahead of the pros from Multivan Merida, José Hermida and Rudi van Houts. The Topeak Ergon drivers Kristian Hynek and Alban Lakata, who are also among the favorites, finished in 7th place. “We oriented ourselves to Christoph and Jaro”, said the former marathon world champion Lakata, "and didn't want to waste too much time on these." Last year's winner Robert Mennen and the American Jeremiah Bishop, also Topeak Ergon, took 9th place. “You can't win the epic in the prologue, you can only lose if something goes wrong”said Mennen.
The Bulls drivers Tim Böhme and Simon Stiebjahn crossed the finish line quite angry. "We bent a chain, then we had to walk up the whole climb and then the change took forever", said a disappointed Bohemian: 72nd place.
Last year's women's winners, Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad (RECM Specialized), were clearly ahead. “That shows that we are in good shape and our teamwork is excellent”, said a satisfied Ariane Kleinhans at the finish. "Especially when you consider that we compete against the best cross-country riders here".
The Ascendis Health Team with Jennie Stenerhag and Robyn de Groot arrived three and a half minutes after the fastest, Milena Landtwing and Hielke Elferink (Meerendal Wheeler Cannondale) secured third place ahead of the Swiss Esther Suss with partner Alice Pirard (Meerendal Wheeler).
Austria's Christina Kollmann had some respect ahead of the race as she competes with multiple Epic rider Sally Bigham on Team Sellaronda Hero. But with a 6th place, the Austrian long-distance specialist was able to assert herself well.
The Swiss Kathrin Stirnemann, who competes with bike legend Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja, got off to a bad start in the Epic. After stomach problems, the Swiss was completely empty and crossed the finish line completely exhausted. Seventh place for the women's team World Bicycle Relief.

One of the most legendary climbs in Epic history awaits the 1200 riders on tomorrow's stage: the Groenlandberg in the nature reserve of the Holland Hottentots Berge. But that's not the only reason why the start with 113 kilometers and 2800 meters in altitude is one of the toughest days of the 2015 event. Stage 1 starts and finishes at the Oak Valley winery.