Absa Cape Epic: Day 5 - Stage 4 (19.03.15)

Worcester to Worcester

Stage 4, day 5 of the ABSA Cape Epic was another exciting stage in the bag. 7 groups of riders kick started the day aiming to finish the race after 9h30mins which was the maximum stage time for stage 4; and of course the pro riders were expected much earlier at the finish line. The Worcester to Worcester stage ride was a distance of 111km and a hefty climb of 2000m as you will see in the graphics below:

This was quite a tricky stage for the riders as there a number of hefty climbs that they had to get through especially at the Windpomp Climb after about the 30km of riding distance; and the toughest climb of the day was the Skyscrapers which the riders experienced after about 90km of riding distance.

A beautiful view that was experienced at one of the Water Points

With that said, it was a tough day at the office for most of the top riders in the Cape Epic. It was one of the stages that really put them to the test even if they did finish the race. There was quite a big surprise, with whom finished the race first; a team that was actually not in the top 10 of the leader board but all South African team, Scott Factory Racing took us all by surprise after they finished the toughest race of the day and had a 6min lead ahead of the other teams.

Of course it was very good win for them and for the locals too, seeing one of our gunning for the Epic too alongside some international sensations. Winning stage 4, definitely gave Scott Factory riders, Phillip Buys and Matthys Beukes, a confidence boost but this did not mean they had to now relax and take it completely easy. The team to beat, Investec-Songo-Specialized was still ahead with time on the leader board and were still the leaders of the yellow-striped jersey. This definitely called for concern and Scott Factory had to bare that in mind as they continued with rest of the stages.

All S.A team Scott Factory Racing

Teams Topeak Ergon, Investec-Songo-Specialized, Bulls, Multivan Merida and Meerendal Centurion-Vaude all finished the race right behind each other irrespective of the gap that Scott Factory left behind. Of course, only 3 teams can make the podium and the 3 teams that finished stage 4 of day 5 at Cape Epic were as follows:

Top 3 teams on the Cape Epic podium

1. Scott Factory Racing

*Phillip Buys and Matthys Beukes with a stage time of 4:19.19,0

2. Topeak Ergon

*Kristian Hynek and Alban Lakata finishing 2nd for the podium with a stage time of 4:22.50,5

3. Investec-Songo-Specialized

*The team to beat of Christoph Sauser and Jaroslav Kulhavy dropped to position 3 but still making podium with a time of 4:22.50,6. Finished at a very close second behind Topeak Ergon.

Below is a video from the press conference featuring stage 4 winners, team Scott Factory Racing:

Scott Factory Racing press conference

Stay tune for the rest of the days that follow.

Till next time. . .