The Absa Cape Epic: Stage 4 Day 5

The men's race takes a completely different turn

Shaun Roy/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Another day, another stage completed. The transition between the Western Cape's sought after hidden gems certainly took riders on numerous ups and downs and a burst of singletrack which seemed to go on forever and some more. Elandsklook, Greyton to Oak Valley, Elgin was the route with a 112km consisting of 2150 which was dubbed one of the most difficult routes since the Cape Epic kickstarted on Sunday (March 19).

Spectator point B at Houw Hoek Hotel with the chopper bringing on the lead rider

Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing) took a decent bite out of Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini’s (Cannondale Factory Racing XC) lead in the men’s race. 

Shaun Roy/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Debutants Andri Frischknecht and Michiel Van der Heijden (SCOTT-SRAM Young Guns) ruled the day on Stage 4, crossing the line first in a time of 4:10.00,3 with Schurter and Stirnemann popping wheelies unexpectedly. That was a fair celebration if you having been following the races very closely. Schurter has been leading his understudies with caution and pristine dedication. - Proud mentor he should be.

Finishing second on the day was enough to move Schurter and Stirnemann into second overall, with Christoph Sauser and Jaroslav Kulhavy (Investec-Songo-Specialized) slipping to third. They finished fourth on the day, which resulted from the puncture they picked up along the route. Leonardo Paez and Max Knox (Kansai Plascon), Karl Platt and Urs Huber (Bulls) also experienced some technical difficulties. Stage 4 certainly lived up to its 'Ups and Downs' standard. Team Kansai Plascon finished 7th meanwhile Bulls dropped to the 6th position having shown slight improvement. Platt's fate may change during one of the remaining stages but he will have to find his legs very soon rather than later.

Shaun Roy/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Overall leaders Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing XC) finished third on Stage 4, two-and-a-half minutes off the pace. Their time was enough to retain the yellow zebra jersey, which they have donned since the Prologue (March 19).

Shaun Roy/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Stage winner Andri Frischknecht was thrilled with the result. "We are very happy and very surprised. When we looked at the stage - 112km - our main aim was just to survive. But this stage win is amazing; super cool. Riding with Nino and Matthias was great motivation, and when we managed the last sandy climb quite well, we started to think that we could take the stage. It was horrible (up the climb) but we made it!”

The results of the men's category in Stage 2:

1. Scott-SRAM Young Guns 4:10.00,3 Michiel Van der Heijden, Andri Frischknecht

2. SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing 4:10.00,7 Nino Schurter, Matthias Stirnemann

3. Cannondale Factory Racing XC 4:12.36,1 Manuel Fumic, Henrique Avancini

4. Investec-Songo-Specialized 4:13.17,2 Christoph Sauser, Jaroslav Kulhavy

5. Kansai Plascon 4:14.22,8 Leonardo Hector Leon Paez, Max Knox

6. Centurion Vaude 2 4:14.57,7 Nicola Rohrbach, Daniel Geismayr

7. Bulls. 4:25.16,3 Karl Platt, Urs Huber 

8. Topeak Ergon Racing 4:16.38,1 Alban Lakata, Kristian Hynek

9. NAD Pro MTB 4:16.39,3 Nico Bell, Gawie Combrinck

10. Claes-Carabin 4:16.45,6 Frans Claes, Sebastien

See you at Stage 4 (March 24) where the riders will be starting at Oak Valley and finishing in Oak Valley. This route has been dubbed 'On The Trails' with an estimated distance of 84km and 2100m of climbing. 

Till next time. . . 

Stay tuned!