For the second stage of the Absa Cape Epic, riders had to follow a 100km route with 1527m of climbing from Villiersdorp to Worcester, before heading back via Robertson, with the Trek-Brentjens team leading until halfway.
The South African/Swiss team of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (Songo.info) again proved their world-class stature by winning Stage 2 of this year's Absa Cape Epic. This is their third consecutive win, having also taken top honours in both the Prologue and Stage 1 of this year's race.
Brentjens and Jongewaard again attacked from the start of today's stage and had a 5 minute lead time at one of the main obstacles of the day - a 3km technical 8% climb. By the time they reached the bottom on the other side, the Songo.info and Bulls team had caught up with them. The Bulls team struggled with punctures all day and had to repair their tyres at least five times.
“Yesterday was a very tough stage and we were both tired," said Christoph Sauser. "Today we felt good and on the last climb we really went for it. We also made up some time on the flat sections whenever we could.”
The first women to complete Stage 2 were Hanlie Booyens and Sharon Laws finishing in 05:11:17, also keeping them in the overall lead (12:46:17). They were followed by Robyn Adendorff and Sarah van Heerden (WSP - Jeep Girls) in a time of 06:01:41, placing them second overall as well (14:53:12). The Tread Magazine Ladies, Nolene Saunders and Sarah Wielopolska, had their first podium finish in a time of 06:10:47, placing them in third position for this stage and overall (15:08:25).
Team Adidas Big Tree, Nico Pfitzenmaier and Alison Sydor, followed in the Songo.info's footsteps by winning the green leader jersey in the Mixed category for the third day in a row. They finished in a time of 04:23:10 putting them in the overall lead (10:43:40). They were followed by Marcel Bartholet and Esther Süss (Wheeler - IXS Pro) in a time of 04:38:20 (second overall - 11:16:08) with Paul Cordes and Yolande Speedy (IMC/ Momentum/ GT Activeworx) in third place (04:39:40). They are also third overall (11:22:51).
Our plucky highest placed Brits Jonathan Stenson and Peter Turnbull (Gateway/Cycle Studio RT's) are currently lying in 50th position.
Live results and more at www.cape-epic.com
