ABSA CAPE EPIC STAGE SIX: DAY SEVEN

Death, Taxes, Singletrack & Vineyard Climbs

 Dwayne Senior/Cape Epic

Another day, another stage is done and dusted. They don't call it "Death, taxes, singletrack, and vineyard climbs" for nothing.

Stage six kickstarted at the University of Stellenbosch Sports Field and finished at the same location; consisting of 89KM in distance and 2650m of intense climbing. This particular stage was tipped to be one for the books for teams like Cannondale Factory Racing, Scott-SRAM and Kross as it fares better for those who have a cross country background.

Usual early morning, we were up and early to catch the elite men at the starting line before embarking on route to catch them chasing their respective leads.



The above image was one of the most beautiful sceneries on the route and we stood there for a while to wait for the first riders to dash down into the snake-like singletracks and it was not going to be an easy feat for any of the riders. The first team that led the way were Trek Selle San Marco that consists of two Italian riders; Damiano Ferraro and Samuele Porro who showed more perseverance than ever when they dominated singletrack where they would be meet their demise in the form of a damaged wheel which resulted in a late two-minute lead.

According to reports from the Cape Epic, the Italian guys spent roughly three minutes getting back on the trail which must have been a frustrating moment; not when you have come such a long way and something like a puncture gets in your way of getting a deserved stage win. Trek Selle San Marco were reportedly consisted throughout the past stages and this was a rather unfortunate series of events which you can't always predict when you are out there - no matter the times you have done the Untamed race.

                                                                  Greg Beadle/Cape Epic

In this series of events for the Italian duo, it allowed both 7C CBZ Wilier (Louis Meija, Johnny Cattaneo) and Scott-SRAM MTB Racing (Nino Schurter, Lars Foster) to make their way through the singletrack. Technically speaking, the teams had to overcome 32,2km of singletrack, 51,8km of Farm road and 5km of Tar road. Normal folk wouldn't even make the cut here even if we tried. 

In more positive news, luck was on 7C CBZ Wilier side that consists of Colombian Louis Meija and Italian Johnny Cattaneo who just took over stage six like it was destined for them. Some could say they were a bit fortunate but when you do have stamina, endurance and luck on your side - you go all out. The two claimed a stage win in impeccable fashion and were welcomed with cheerful roars from the fans at the finish line - just managing to cross the line two minutes ahead of Scott-SRAM MTB.



Back to the Italians of Trek Selle San Marco fame ended stage six with a third finish just ahead of Cape Epic favourites Cannondale Factory Racing with Germany's Manuel Fumic and Brazil's Henrique Fumic who however are remaining strong and still their fun selves in the race managed to maintain their second place overall general classification (GC) but unfortunately have relinquished eight minutes behind Nino Schurter and Lars Foster.

With much joy and adrenaline still pumping, Trek Selle San Marco had shared their thoughts on the stage and their race overall during a Cape Epic press conference.

                                                    Louis Meija, Johnny Cattaneo/Greg Beadle/Cape Epic

Cattaneo: "Today was fantastic for us because we had some good luck and then we tried to push hard over the last 20 kilometres.

"This was one of the last two opportunities to win a stage and that's what we wanted so we are really happy," Cattaneo concluded on their stage win.

Here are the Men's Results for 2019 Stage 6:
1. 7C CBZ WILIER 25-1 Louis Meija (Colombia) 25-2 Johnny Cattaneo (Italy) 03:49.21,1
2. Scott-SRAM MTB-Racing 4-1 Nino Schurter (Switzerland) 4-2 Lars Forster (Switzerland) 03:51.40,9 +2.19,8
3. Trek Selle San Marco 10-1 Damiano Ferraro (Italy) 10-2 Samuele Porro (Italy) 03:53.54,7 +4.33,6

Overall Results (GC)

1. Scott-SRAM MTB-Racing 4-1 Nino Schurter (Switzerland) 4-2 Lars Forster (Switzerland) 23:12.06,2
2. Cannondale Factory Racing 3-1 Manuel Fumic (Germany) 3-2 Henrique Avancini (Brazil) 23:20.06,5 +8.00,3
3. Trek Selle San Marco 10-1 Damiano Ferraro (Italy) 10-2 Samuele Porro (Italy) 23:29.10,8 +17.04,6
4. BULLS Heroes 6-1 Urs Huber (Switzerland) 6-2 Simon Stiebjahn (Germany) 23:38.52,6 +26.46,4
5. SpecializedFoundationNAD 13-1 Alan Hatherly (South Africa) 13-2 Matthew Beers (South Africa) 23:50.28,3 +38.22,1
6. BUFF SCOTT MTB 11-1 Francesc Guerra Carretero (Spain) 11-2 Enrique Morcillo Vergara (Spain) 23:53.27,4 +41.21,2
7. 7C CBZ WILIER 25-1 Louis Meija (Colombia) 25-2 Johnny Cattaneo (Italy) 23:55.07,2 +43.01,0
8. Canyon 5-1 Kristian Hynek (Czech Republic) 5-2 Petter Fagerhaug (Norway) 24:03.35,9 +51.29,7
9. 7C CBZ WILIER 2 32-1 Tony Longo (Italy) 32-2 Gregory Brenes (Costa Rica) 24:08.22,8 +56.16,6
10. Tbelles - ProtourBCN 43-1 Roberto Bou Martin (Spain) 43-2 Alberto Losada (Spain) 24:18.33,9 +1:06.27,7


Stage 7 will see the Grand Finale of the 2019 Cape Epic start at the University of Stellenbosch Sports Fields and end at the exquisite Val de Vie Estate in Paarl.

Who will take honours at the 8th of the Untamed race? Stay tuned!

Till next time . . .