MTB News: The extreme conditions for the participants of the Cape Epic 2017 continue. In view of the temperature forecast of up to 40 degrees, the organizers had agreed to shorten the planned route from 103 to 62 kilometers. The duo Sauser/Kulhavy (Investec-Songo-Specialized) won the second stage after only 2:33.16 hours.
The finish of the second day marked the original second refreshment point Caledon. Due to the short distance and the remaining 1500 meters of altitude difference, the riders were able to set a very high pace right from the start. The top drivers in the field thus achieved average speeds of almost 25 km/h. In the last kilometers of the men's race, a hot battle broke out between three teams: Investec-Songo-Specialized (Christoph Sauser / Jaroslav Kulhavy), SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing (Nino Schurter / Matthias Stirnemann) and the current leader jersey team Cannondale Factory Racing XC (Manuel Fumic / Henrique Avancini). Christoph Sauser and Jaroslav Kulhavy won the race just ahead of Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann, who in turn had Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini on their tails. The Cannondale Factory Racing XC team with the German Manuel Fumic remains at the top of the overall rankings.
Sabine Spitz started with a stitched eyebrow, bruises and slight bruises. Despite yesterday's crash, she rode to a strong second place with teammate Robyn de Groot (Ascendis Health). Esther Süss and Jennie Stenerhag from Team Meerendal CBC were able to defend their overall lead with their victory. Ariane Lüthi and Adelheid Morath from the Spur team ended up in third place, more than 5 minutes behind - but the overall deficit of 28.04 minutes makes the dream of an overall victory at Cape Epic 2017 very far away. Sabine Spitz / Robyn de Groot (Ascendis Health) are 8.58 minutes behind the leaders Meerendal CBC. On tomorrow's third stage in the shadowless mountains around the Elandskloof farm, 78 kilometers and 1650 meters in altitude are on the agenda.
Rating Cape Epic 2017 #2 – Top 3
1. Christoph Sauser / Jaroslav Kulhavy (Investec-Songo-Specialized) 2:33.16,5
2. Nino Schurter / Matthias Stirnemann (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing) +0,8
3. Manuel Fumic / Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing XC) +2,0
1. Esther Suss / Jennie Stenerhag (Meerendal CBC) 3:05.51,7
2. Sabine Spitz / Robyn de Groot (Ascendis Health) +5,9
3. Ariane Lüthi / Adelheid Morath (track) +5:02,7
Overall classification Cape Epic 2017
1. Manuel Fumic / Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing XC) 8:00.45,9
2. Christoph Sauser / Jaroslav Kulhavy (Investec-Songo-Specialized) +2.39,7
3. Nino Schurter / Matthias Stirnemann (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing) +5.22,9
1. Esther Suss / Jennie Stenerhag (Meerendal CBC) 9:32.02,2
2. Sabine Spitz / Robyn de Groot (Ascendis Health) +8.58,0
3. Mariske Strauss / Annie Last (Hansgrohe Cadence OMX Pro) +21.17,5
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