ABSA Cape Epic video courtesy of TDA Boulder
Today’s stage provided close racing, and a change to the top step of the podium, but no changes at the top of the overall standings.
The day began with 13 km of fast tar and dirt roads, before the riders were greeted with a narly rocky 4 km climb. By the time the riders passed us in the middle of the picture book valley nesteled between the mountains, the main players were already out in front – Bulls, 3x Merida, Stöckli, Versluys, Milka-Trek , Versluys, Bull2, Trek.
At water point 2, with 60 km to go, Milka Trek’s Bart Brentjen’s led the front group (also containing Songo, Merida (Genze / Haas), Versluys and Bulls) through the feed zone, and spectators were given the distinct impression that today might be the day for Sir Bart’s customary stage win of the 2011 edition of the Cape Epic.
True to form, Milka Trek put the hammer down and by 76 km had opened up a 1:15 gap on the Songo group. The lead extended to 3 min by the time the riders were half way up the cruel climb at 90 km, but with Sauser on fire, the lead was reduced to 1:30 almost at the drop of a hat. Inside 25 km to go, the Songo group smelt blood and with the last 10 km of the stage predominantly downhill, you’d be a fool to bet your house on another Bart stage win. However, the chase came at the expense of Bulls, who were again left wanting.
Milka Trek were caught on the outskirts of Worcester, but Merida kept the pace high to take advantage of the Bulls’ absence. Merida’s hard work paid off, as they took the win on the line (5:06.33), just ahead of Songo, with Milka Trek in third. Bulls lost another minute on the overall standings, with the top 3 remaining unchanged (1. Songo, 2. Merida, 3. Bulls).
Another great day for Rockstar’s Lewis and Hatton, again placing 12th on the stage (5:35.13) and move up to 13th overall. The pair used their descending skills to gap three teams on the descent to Worcester only to have a brief scare with another late puncture. Cool, calm and collected, roadie tactics then came into play, as they out foxed and out sprinted BMC Mountain Bike Racing on the line.
In the women’s race, we awoke to news that leading ladies Colnago had been handed a 1 hour time penalty for receiving outside assistance during yesterdays stage, seeing them relegated to 4th overall. This moved the British / South African duo of USN into the leader’s jersey and Australians Naomi Hansen and Jodie Willet into 3rd. The leaders jersey must have provided the extra motivation required to take the days stage, as USN crossed the line in 6:43.35; four minutes ahead of ABSA aBreast, with Adidas in third. The other Australian team of Niki Fisher and Jenni King (Swell / Giant)had to put the woes of a broken chain at the end of yesterday’s stage (with 10km left to travel!) behind them and may be saving some energy for an attempt at a stage win later in the week.