It was a close call for the top teams in this year’s Absa Cape Epic as they battled it out to win the penultimate stage (Stage 7) of this year’s event. The Flückiger brothers, Lukas and Mathias, attained their dream of a second stage win, but will need to make up at least 23 minutes and 26 seconds in tomorrow’s final stage if they want to be crowned the kings of this Magical and Untamed African Mountain Bike Race.
They won Stage 7 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic in 4:11.58,9 with the Germans Bulls Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm hot on their heels in a time of 4:12.05,3. They were followed by Multivan Merida’s José Hermida and Rudi van Houts in third place in 4:13.36,7. In fourth place were South African Burry Stander and his Swiss team mate Christoph Sauser (Songo-Specialized by DCM) in 4:15.59,8 and they were followed by current world cross-country mountain bike champion Nino Schurter and his team mate Florian Vogel (Scott-Swisspower MTB Racing) in 4:16.11,3. Kevin Evans and Alban Lakata (Team MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon) finished eighth in a time of 4:21.31,5.
Max Knox and Brandon Stewart of DCM Chrome finished in sixteenth place today (4:35.28,0), successfully defending their African Leader jersey for the fourth day in a row. They have moved up one place to tenth place overall (28:38.30,8).
Today’s stage was beautiful, but hard. Most riders are relieved that tomorrow will be the final stage of this year’s epic adventure and are looking forward to returning home with their finisher jerseys and medals, a treasured possession for all. Stage 7 took riders over 99km and 2 160 of climbing. The short sharp hills early on really burnt with five minutes up and 15 seconds down making riders work hard.
The Flückiger brothers of Trek World Racing, Mathias and Lukas, were the first to cross the finish line (of Stage 7) for the second day in a row, placing them in fourth position overall (27:26.11,7). They were followed by the Bulls Team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, who again successfully defended the Leader jersey with an overall time of 27:02.46,4. They are now leading by 10 minutes and 51 seconds. Multivan Merida’s Jose Hermida and Rudi van Houts finished in third place and are in seventh place overall (28:04.24,4) with Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander of Songo-Specialized by DCM remaining in second place overall (27:13.36,9). Nino Schurter and Florian Vogel (Scott-Swisspower MTB Racing) are in eleventh place overall in a time of 28:47.42,7 and Kevin Evans and Alban Lakata Team MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon, remain in third position overall (27:22.12,5).
Lukas Flückiger of Trek World Racing says they lost Nino Schurter and Florian Vogel (Scott-Swisspower MTB Racing) who were riding very well today when they had a mechanical. “They were very strong and motivated today, but unfortunately had a technical problem about 20km before the finish. We had a good rhythm behind them and then took the lead. Also, Karl (Platt) crashed during the last bit of singletrack so we could also gain some time on them. I’m actually very surprised by our stage win today. My legs were really tired from yesterday.”
To the question of whether they would be going for a hat trick with another stage win tomorrow; Lukas says they would definitely be taking it easier. “We’ll probably not go for another stage win and just take it easy and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Today’s stage had too much uphill. When I looked at the stage profile yesterday, I thought it was going to be much easier. I heard last night that our parents are sitting in front of the computer everyday following the live ticker to see where we are. It’s really motivating to know they’re behind us all the way.”
Karl Platt of the overall leading Bulls Team. “It was a really nice race today. I felt good and my legs were great. I think the Leader jersey is safe for the moment. We worked really hard today and expected to finish first. We also wanted to win a stage and were riding together at the front, when there was an unexpected sharp turn and I braked too hard. Stefan then crashed into me, and the handlebar went into my behind, which was quite painful. I was really upset with myself.”
With regards to his shoulder that he dislocated twice during last year’s event, Platt is very positive. “My shoulder is so much better and it’s nice to feel so confident. My doctor sent me a sms this morning to ask how I was doing, and I said we have the Leader jersey which means he really did a good job.”
José Hermida and Rudi van Houts of Multivan Merida secured the first podium finish in this year’s race. Says Hermida: “Yes, we’re finally on the podium although it took us 7 days to get here. One of our aims was to win a stage but a podium is just as good. It was a lot like a cross-country race today. The first one to two hours we all rode at cross-country speed, then took a rest, and then again raced at cross-country speed. I’m pretty happy, as it’s always good to be back in business. The world’s best riders all take part in this race to prepare for the season, and we’ve had some lovely weather and the race has such a great ambience.”
Adds Rudi van Houts: “At the beginning I felt really good, but after the long climbs, I started to struggle a bit. We broke away with the leading group, but thereafter I was just trying to survive. I suppose this race is about survival of the fittest and I’m not the strongest anymore. But I’m still having fun, enjoying every moment and being with José is never boring. He’s always good to have around and a great motivator.”
Nino Schurter and his team mate Florian Vogel (Scott-Swisspower MTB Racing) finished in fifth place today, Says Schurter: “I felt pretty strong until we were about 18km from the finish line. I probably didn’t eat and drink enough because I was then feeling totally finished. We won’t try again for a stage win. This was excellent training and it wasn’t our goal to win. Florian flatted twice and I also flatted once, so we’ll see this as preparation for World Cup.”
Says Christoph Sauser (Songo-Specialized by DCM): “I had some stomach problems last night and this morning, so struggled a bit today. The uphills were difficult, but then I could always get back on the downhills. I didn’t have the power I would normally have in the long climbs. I think my body went into emergency mode, but we’re in second place overall which is nice.”
Bart Brentjens of Trek Brentjens hurt himself earlier this week and bruised his ribs. “I’m struggling a bit every day and we’re just trying to stay with the second or third group.” To the question of how he copes with pain, his answer is simply. “It’s part of the job.”
Kristine and Anna-Sofie Noergaard (team Rothaus-CUBE) won the Ladies for the fifth consecutive day, finishing in a time of 5:19.21,5. They remain in first position overall (33:56.56,8). They were again followed by Hannele Steyn-Kotze and Ivonne Kraft (Team Sludge Ladies) in a time of 5:31.26,6, who remain in second place overall (34:32.12,4). In third place were Giuliana Vitali and Tamara Horn (team bike2help.ch – Big Tree) with their sixth podium finish in this year’s race (5:54.00,2), placing them in third position overall (37:21.38,2).
Says Kristine Noergaard of team Rothaus-CUBE: “Today it took me three hours to warm up and suddenly, for some unknown reason, I had a lot of energy. We really enjoyed the last part of singletrack – it was really good. We’re used to the wind in Denmark, but it was much stronger today.”
Adds Anna-Sofie: “I really look forward to the last stage. Today was a very good day and the route reminded me a bit of the forests in Denmark. I also enjoyed the weather – it was nice and cool.”
Says Ivonne Kraft of the Sludge Ladies: “It was a great stage with some amazing weather and lovely views. We had everything – rain, sunshine, clouds, and wind – all in one day. Hannele did well today and I’m very happy to ride with her. The Danish sisters are much younger than us. We stayed with them for the first 60km and said ‘let’s do an easy finish together’, but they weren’t really keen on that.”
Adds Hannele Steyn-Kotze: “We were really fighting hard up to halfway to stay with them and then they broke away. It was such a beautiful route – you could see flowers and smell the rain. I felt so fortunate to be here today.”
Tamara Horn and Giuliana Vitali of (team bike2help.ch) met Tamara’s boyfriend on route today. Says Horn: “We met up with them along the way for the first time today but didn’t want to ride with them. We wanted to ride on our own, as we didn’t want anyone to think that we had help. It’s important for us to do this race on our own. We were racing for charity this year, and it really motivated us in the winter months. We wanted to keep a steady pace during the race and knew the Noergaard sisters as well as Ivonne Kraft, but we had no idea how strong the South African teams would be. We were hoping to be in the top 5 and are very happy with our third place so far.”
Yolande Speedy and Paul Cordes (MTN Business Qhubeka) had their fourth stage win in a time of 5:01.19,1 and remain the overall leaders in their category (31:14.27,7). They were again followed by Bärti Bucher and Esther Süss (Wheeler – BIXS) in 5:09.11,7 who remain in second place overall (31:54.55,8). Nico Pfitzenmaier and Sally Bigham of the Adidas Big Tree team finished in third place (5:16.15,9) and are ranked third overall (32:34.56,8).
Yolande Speedy of MTN Business Qhubeka says: “It was a tough day and we managed to get a gap on the Swiss team. We pushed hard on the first climb, although it was tough with the wind and I can feel my legs are getting tired. The singletrack today was beautiful and the cool weather really helped. Paul was also feeling strong and he helped me on the climbs. We have a decent lead and only have one stage to go, but with mountain biking you never know. Hopefully we have a good day tomorrow.”
Her team mate Paul Cordes adds: “The elements were a bit against us today and the sandy climb in the middle was hard on the legs. The singletrack was really nice and all in all it was a good day. We didn’t ride as aggressively as yesterday – we tried to keep it stable and have a good ride. The Leader jersey is a good place to be in, but things can still go wrong. We’ll take tomorrow as it comes and prepare well, as we’ve done for every stage of the race – hopefully that will be enough.”
Ester Süss of the Wheeler – BIXS team says: “We had a lot of wind today. I was also feeling a bit weak and can feel my power is gone. I’m very happy tomorrow is the last stage and hope we can have a good race.” Adds her partner Bärti Bucher: “Today was quite difficult with the wind and rain and we were really happy to get to the finish line. One stage to go! Paul and Yolande are a strong team and they deserve their win.”
Cyclelab’s Shan Wilson and Andrew Mclean defended their Leader jersey for the sixth consecutive stage in 4:48.07,0. They remain in the overall lead in the Masters (30:43.19,2) by 1 hour and 52 minutes. They were followed by Corrie Muller and Robert Sim of the Big Tree Masters with their fifth podium finish (4:48.48,9) who are in third place overall in this category (33:10.21,3). Adrian Enthoven and Gary Marescia (Cycle Lab Jag Foundation) finished third in 5:03.59,7 and maintain their second place overall (32:35.23,0). Geof Blance and Malcolm Mcleod of R & R Sport New Zealand finished fourth in 5:09.21,9 and remain in fourth place overall (33:34.34,6).
Says Andrew Mclean of Cyclelab: “Corrie and Robert rode very well today. We decided to stay with them until the singletrack where they couldn’t follow us any longer. Luckily it was overcast and not too hot, but it was windy. Tomorrow’s celebration will be like the finish of the Tour de France. We can’t wait and will enjoy the final stage and not race too hard.”
Corrie Muller of the Big Tree Masters says: “It was such a nice day today. It was great to be riding with Andrew and Shan for a big part of the stage. They have so many years of experience and to race with two true gentlemen was amazing. When a young team cut in front of me, Andrew was really having a go at them. It’s a pity we couldn’t keep up with them. I mean, I’m a mountain biker and don’t even own a road bike, but they’re just too fast for us. The 2010 Absa Cape Epic was sweet and sour with the enormous problems we had on the first day. But it was the best Cape Epic I’ve ever had – the hardships sometimes make the sparkle so much better, and if one day was like the other it would be boring.”
His partner Robert Sim adds: “We just couldn’t stay with Cyclelab – we really tried. It was enjoyable but tough. The stage was awesome, especially the singletrack coming home. You get energy from somewhere. On the first day we were 133rd and 24th in our category, so we’re pretty happy.”
The final stage (eight) will take riders over 65km and 1 640m of climbing from Oak Valley to their final destination, Lourensford Wine Estate. As is tradition, the last stage is always the shortest, but never easy. When riders see vineyards, they will know it is all about short, sharp climbs before some longer and even steeper ones through Nuweberg, up to see the superb vistas of Elgin/Grabouw. In 2010 the Absa Cape Epic takes a new route into the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, on Buysepad, skirting Gantouw Pass. There’s no portage this year, but route designer Dr Evil has something else in mind before riders head down for a traditional finish to the 2010 Absa Cape Epic.
For full results and detailed race information, visit
www.cape-epic.com