Another day another dollar, with 100km on the cards this morning and some real mountains between us and the finish line, it was going to be a good hard slog out. It fortunately hadn’t rained overnight but there was still a lot of water, and therefore mud on the track.
A fast start soon settled down before the bunch reformed and the main protagonists readied themselves for the first major climb of the day. Contego-Swift, Biogen-Volcan and Asrin were in the first front move, eagerly chased by Squirt and then ourselves.
A steady tempo brought us to the portage across the Homtini River, a steep muddy hike down and then back up the valley was a tough one. The hike wasn’t Hanco’s most favourite part of the day, to give you an idea he drives from one end of the mall to the other when he goes shopping…
With the flatter roads and more technical terrain thereafter, we regrouped and came back strong towards the end of the stage to catch the Squirt team and edge them out in the sprint for 4th position.
Biogen unfortunately suffered a tyre cut and Contego took advantage to win their first stage ahead of them in 2nd position. Asrin had a stronger day and rounded out the podium.
Cooper had a great day in the Solo category winning the stage outright with Sahm following him home in second to hold onto the top spot in the general classicisation.
Knox and Evans finished just seconds off the Contego pair and thus retain their overnight lead going into the final stage.
Stage Results:
1. Contego Swift – Louw & Luus
2. Biogen Volcan – Knox & Evans
3. Asrin – Krenn & Boyes
4. Altech Autopage – Kachelhoffer & Wolhuter
5. Squirt – Keey & Swanepoel