Cycling: The duo Hans Becking / José Dias can celebrate a stage win at the Absa Cape Epic for the second day in a row. The Dutchman and the Portuguese won the fifth leg in front of the German duo Martin Frey / Simon Stiebjahn.
Cape Epic: 4 candidates for the podium
The overall leaders, Jordan Sarrou and Matthew Beers (NinetyOne-songo-Specialized), were beaten again. However, the Frenchman and the South African still hold a commanding lead in the overall standings. On today's sixth day, they finished third, 1:34,9 minutes behind the stage winners. The German duo of Martin Frey and Simon Stiebjahn from Team Bulls crossed the finish line 1:32,9 minutes behind Hans Becking and José Dias (Buff Scott MTB) . In the overall standings, the two-time stage winners from the Netherlands and Portugal are steadily climbing the ranks. They now sit in fourth place. Given the gaps, it seems clear – with two days remaining – that the top four will likely be battling it out for the podium. Ben Zwiehoff and Lennard Kämna (Bora-hansgrohe) have moved up to 23rd place and are currently almost three and a half hours behind the leaders.
1. Jordan Sarrou / Matthew Beers (NinetyOne-songo-Specialized)
2. Martin Frey / Simon Stiebjahn (Bulls) + 6:39,9
3. Samuele Porro / Fabian Rabensteiner (Trek-Pireli) + 10:54,3
4. Hans Becking / Jose Dias (Buff Scott MTB) +13:37,0
German-speaking teams are about to win overall
The same procedure as every day. In the women's competition, Sina Frei and Laura Stigger (NinetyOne-songo-Specialized) celebrated their sixth victory on the sixth day. The Swiss and Austrian riders are therefore virtually uncatchable in the overall standings. That German-speaking riders will likely be celebrating overall victories at this year's Absa Cape Epic is also evident in other categories. The mixed competition is a clear victory for the Germans. Laura Stark and Sebastian Stark (Bauer-Werner Young Guns) lead ahead of Benjamin Michael and Janine Schneider (Bicycle Garage Mixed). And there's still a chance for a German-speaking winning duo in the Grand Masters. Currently, Bart Brentjens and Peter Vesel (CST PostNL Bafang) from the Netherlands and Slovenia, respectively, are in the lead, but close behind are Barti Bucher and Hans Juerg Gerber (BiXS Bikeholiday) from Switzerland. In the Masters, Craig Uria / Andrew Duvenage (Restonic) from South Africa are currently ahead of the Swiss duo Roland Müller / André Bachmann (skyPixX).
Buff Scott MTB Hans Becking and Jose Dias comfortably win Stage 5 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic. A sublime ride. Back-to-back stage wins for them. #CapeEpic
— capeepic (@CapeEpic) October 22, 2021
A sixth stage win for Sina Frei & Laura Stigger (NinetyOne-songo-Specialized) in Wellington today. Hugs all around on the finish line. Another excellent ride from the overall women's leaders. #capeepic #EpicWomen
— capeepic (@CapeEpic) October 22, 2021