Twelve years after claiming his first Absa Cape Epic title Karl Platt today became only the second person to win the event five times when he and Urs Huber (Bulls) calmly sealed a dominant victory.
And in a gripping race for the Women’s category, Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad (Spur-Specialized) sealed their third successive title in front of thousands of cheering spectators at Meerendal Wine Estate.
In the men’s race German Manuel Fumic and Brazilian Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing) claimed Stage 7 – the prestigious Grand Finale win – in thrilling fashion, but it was Team Bulls who took overall glory.
German Platt and Swiss teammate Huber of Switzerland rolled comfortably across the line at Meerendal in fifth place after the fast 86km ride, with Fumic and Avancini still joyously celebrating their stage win.
“We’ve wanted this all week,” said Fumic. “We targeted the Prologue, then Stage 4 and today. This was our last chance at a stage win after the other two didn’t work out, so we were really determined to take this one. There is nothing better than winning the final stage of the Cape Epic. There are always a lot of people here, but when we came over the bridge I couldn’t believe how many people were at the finish. It’s such a special feeling.”
Avancini, the 2015 Brazilian cross-country champion, was equally thrilled with a stage victory in his debut Cape Epic. “This is very special,” said Avancini. “We were chasing this stage win today so to get it in front of so many fans was incredible. We wanted Stage 4, but Manny had a few issues, so this was it for us.”
Henrique Avancini and Manuel Fumic of Cannondale Factory Racing celebrate winning the final stage during the final stage (stage 7) of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016
Photo by Shaun Roy/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
Fumic and Avancini crossed the line in 3:13.38,2, very fast riding on a stage without much climbing, quite a few district roads and in fairly cool conditions.
Second and third on the stage was wrapped up by the two Centurion Vaude by Meerendal teams. At one stage, on the last climb before the final 2016 Cape Epic descent, it looked as though they had positioned themselves for a one-two stage finish, but Cannondale Factory Racing snuck in front. “We are not the strongest team in the field,” said Avancini, “so today we had to be the smartest.”
The biggest smiles on the day, though, belonged to Platt and Huber. Their preparation for the 13th edition of the Absa Cape Epic has been superb, with both riders spending weeks in South Africa, racing and riding in local conditions.
“This is unbelievable… unbelievable,” said Platt seconds after crossing the line as the 2016 champion. I have no words to say now.” Platt, who won the very first Absa Cape Epic in 2004, has had to wait six years for his fifth win. “I must be getting better with age! I’ve been waiting a long time for this fifth win, so to actually have it now… I still can’t believe it.”
The race strategy on the day was a case of no heroics. With a 15-minute overall race lead over Centurion Vaude by Meerendal 2 (Swiss Nicola Rohrbach and German Matthias Pfrommer), Platt and Huber just had to enjoy the ride. “Everyone was racing hard again, but we did what we could to control it,” said Platt. “Then a bunch made a break, but Urs and I decided to take it easy and just enjoy the last 20km.”
Riders during the final stage (stage 7) of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016
Photo by Sam Clark/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
This was Huber’s first Cape Epic victory, in his seventh event. “I was a bit nervous at the start,” said Huber, “but once the race began and we could control the pace for a while, I calmed down. We could see that lots of teams were going for the stage win, but we decided that was not for us. Today we said, no suffering!”
Meanwhile, the South African and Absa African classification was wrapped up comfortably by Darren Lill and Waylon Woolcock (USN Purefit). They claimed sixth on the day and sixth overall in the race. It was a highly impressive performance from the former road riders who, apart from the Prologue, were in complete control of the Absa African special jersey. “We’re happy and relieved,” said Woolcock. “It was another day of fast racing, so to make it into the finish in the red jersey, and to win the category overall, is a great result.”
After an intriguing week’s racing in the Sasol Women’s category, Kleinhans and Langvad are now three-time Absa Cape Epic champions; the Swiss-Danish duo joining Platt and Stefan Sahm as three-time champion pairings.
Annika Langvad and Ariane Kleinhans overall winners of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016
Photo by Sam Clark/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
As was the case throughout the “eight days of courage”, Swiss Kleinhans and Dane Langvad didn’t have it their own way during today’s Grand Finale. The Spur-Specialized pair led going into the final two kilometres before the Sport for Good pairing of German Sabine Spitz and Ukranian Yana Belomoina overtook them and ecstatically crossed the finish line first in 3:53.31,4 – their third straight stage victory.
Langvad acknowledged that this has been a tough week for the pairing, after initially facing a strong challenge from Ascendis Health’s Robyn de Groot of South Africa and Swede Jennie Stenerhag (who withdrew after falling ill). Then Spitz and Belomoina found their legs in the closing stages but Spur-Specialized’s overall winning margin of 14.56 highlighted their superiority over the eight days.
“It was a difficult stage after a tough week of racing, but we are happy with our overall win and super happy with our third Epic title,” said the Dane. “Winning the Epic is a big goal. To celebrate I’m going to drink some of the great South African wine that I didn’t get to drink this week.”
Kleinhans, who came into the Absa Cape Epic unsure about her form once again had to dig deep to keep pace with her partner.
“This stage was a bit messy – we had a lot of men overtaking us today, but in general the route over the Epic was really good for the women, because we didn’t get bunched with the men. To celebrate I’m going to sleep, eat and recover. It’s been super tough.”
Annika Langvad and Ariane Kleinhansn being congratulated after the final stage (stage 7) of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016
Photo by Sam Clark/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
Grand Finale winners Spitz and Belomoina, who have got stronger and stronger through the eight days, cranked up the pace to make the decisive move on Meerendal’s famous Stairway to Heaven.
“On the final climb Yana was riding like crazy,” said a delighted Spitz. “She overtook a men’s team and I was sitting behind them thinking ‘oh my gosh’, then I saw her overtake the girls and I realised I had to use my last grain of power to get to her. To win three stages in a race is amazing. I’m really pleased I took the decision to come ride the Cape Epic.”
Belomoina, who at 23 is Spitz’s junior by 21 years, was happy that her cross-country skills could be the decisive factor on the day.
Sabine Spitz and Yana Belomoina lead the ladies peleton during the final stage (stage 7) of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016
Photo by Sam Clark/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
“The finish was very good, it was like a lap of cross-country so I had to go fast. I saw a small chance so I went for it and luckily Sabine could catch up. I’m very happy to win three stages in a row.”
Topeak Ergon’s Sally Bigham of England and her German partner Adel Morath rounded off the Sasol Women’s category podium – with another third place finish at Meerendal.
In the Masters category leaders Bart Brentjens of the Netherlands and Brazilian Abraao Azevedo (CST Superior Brentjens) sealed a dominant victory by winning their sixth stage in a row and extending their overall lead to 51 minutes. Second-place overall went to Adrian Enthoven and Nic White (Whit Inc) while Australians Damien Jones and Brad Clarke (Hampton Cycles) were third overall.
There was a bit of a shake-up in the Grand Masters category on the day when Barti Bucher and Heinz Zoerweg (Meerendal BIXS KTM) and South Africans Andrew Mclean and Doug Brown (Cycle Lab) finished the stage first and second ahead of overall leaders Robert Sim and Udo Boelts (Robert Daniel). However, South African Sim and German Boelts have overwhelmed the category in the week and won overall by more than 37 minutes.
Riders leave Boschendal during the final stage (stage 7) of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016
Photo by Ewald Sadie/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
In the Mixed category Trek Israel CCC’s Idit Shub and Gal Tsachor notched up their second stage win in a row but overnight category leaders Jean-Francois Bossler and Fanny Bourdon (Open-Kappius Components) of France had enough of a buffer to still take the overall title by 39 minutes in spite of a bad day. Shub and Tsachor were second overall ahead of Swiss pair Hans Fluck and Anita Bucher (Giant Obwalden).
The race for the Exxaro special jersey had seen several teams hold the lead before faltering and today Jan Montshioa and Thokozani Mahlangu (Exxaro/RMB) notched up a second good stage win in two days, but Rilamulele Gadabeni and Tovhowani Mavundadavhi (Exxaro/Tronox) had a huge lead overnight and were still winners by more than an hour over second-placed Anele Mtalana and Tshepo Tlou (Exxaro/EOH).
2016 Stage 7 Men
Stage Results
1. Cannondale Factory Racing 14-1 Manuel Fumic (Germany) 14-2 Henrique Avancini (Brazil) 3:13.38,2
2. Centurion Vaude by Meerendal 2 17-1 Nicola Rohrbach (Switzerland) 17-2 Matthias Pfrommer (Germany) 3:14.06,6 +28,4
3. Centurion Vaude by Meerendal 4-1 Daniel Geismayr (Austria) 4-2 Hermann Pernsteiner (Austria) 3:14.06,8 +28,6
Overall Results
1. Bulls 3-1 Karl Platt (Germany) 3-2 Urs Huber (Switzerland) 28:13.28,4
2. Centurion Vaude by Meerendal 2 17-1 Nicola Rohrbach (Switzerland) 17-2 Matthias Pfrommer (Germany) 28:26.36,7 +13.08,3
3. Trek-Selle San Marco A 13-1 Samuele Porro (Italy) 13-2 Damiano Ferraro (Italy) 28:38.32,9 +25.04,5
4. Cannondale Factory Racing 14-1 Manuel Fumic (Germany) 14-2 Henrique Avancini (Brazil) 28:39.12,3 +25.43,9
5. Dolomiti Superbike 11-1 Periklis Ilias (Greece) 11-2 Tiago Jorge Ferreira Oliveira (Portugal) 28:52.33,4 +39.05,0
6. USN Purefit 7-1 Darren Lill (South Africa) 7-2 Waylon Woolcock (South Africa) 29:03.22,9 +49.54,5
7. Bulls 2 10-1 Simon Stiebjahn (Germany) 10-2 Tim Boehme (Germany) 29:08.49,4 +55.21,0
8. Trek-Selle San Marco B 18-1 Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez (Spain) 18-2 Fabian Rabensteiner (Italy) 29:13.39,5 +1:00.11,1
9. Centurion Vaude by Meerendal 4-1 Daniel Geismayr (Austria) 4-2 Hermann Pernsteiner (Austria) 29:16.16,9 +1:02.48,5
10. Topeak Ergon Racing 2 16-1 Jeremiah Bishop (United States of America) 16-2 Erik Kleinhans (South Africa) 29:20.44,8 +1:07.16,4
2016 Stage 7 Women
Stage Results
1. Sport for Good 54-2 Yana Belomoina (Ukraine) 54-1 Sabine Spitz (Germany) 3:53.31,4
2. Spur-Specialized 50-1 Annika Langvad (Denmark) 50-2 Ariane Kleinhans (Switzerland) 3:54.18,5 +47,1
3. Topeak Ergon 53-1 Sally Bigham (England) 53-2 Adel Morath (Germany) 3:55.22,2 +1.50,8
Overall Results
1. Spur-Specialized 50-1 Annika Langvad (Denmark) 50-2 Ariane Kleinhans (Switzerland) 33:30.48,0
2. Sport for Good 54-2 Yana Belomoina (Ukraine) 54-1 Sabine Spitz (Germany) 33:45.44,5 +14.56,5
3. Topeak Ergon 53-1 Sally Bigham (England) 53-2 Adel Morath (Germany) 33:51.30,3 +20.42,3
4. Meerendal Wheeler 52-1 Esther Suss (Switzerland) 52-2 Catherine Williamson (England) 35:02.03,9 +1:31.15,9
5. Galileo Risk 55-1 Theresa Ralph (South Africa) 55-2 Yolandi du Toit (South Africa) 36:38.01,9 +3:07.13,9
6. Meerendal Rocky EBE 56-1 Hielke Elferink (Netherlands) 56-2 Elisabeth Brandau (Germany) 36:45.02,1 +3:14.14,1
7. Energade Racing 202-1 Dalene van der Leek (South Africa) 202-2 Sharon Laws (England) 36:46.33,2 +3:15.45,2
8. Asrin Cycling 71-1 Janka Keseg Stevkova (Slovakia) 71-2 Sandra Santanyes Murillo (Spain) 37:12.07,6 +3:41.19,6
9. Liv – MTB Pro 59-1 Muriel Bouhet (France) 59-2 Merce Pacios Pujado (Spain) 40:56.05,4 +7:25.17,4
10. Speed Structures 68-1 Marleen Lourens (South Africa) 68-2 Nicky Giliomee (South Africa) 43:07.26,6 +9:36.38,6
2016 Stage 7 Masters
Stage Results
1. CST Superior Brentjens 60-1 Bart Brentjens (Netherlands) 60-2 Abraao Azevedo (Brazil) 3:36.52,0
2. Van de Haterd Mtb 173-1 John van de Wouw (Netherlands) 173-2 Maikel Govaarts (Netherlands) 3:38.53,4 +2.01,4
3. White Inc 61-1 Adrian Enthoven (South Africa) 61-2 Nic White (South Africa) 3:42.27,3 +5.35,3
Overall Results
1. CST Superior Brentjens 60-1 Bart Brentjens (Netherlands) 60-2 Abraao Azevedo (Brazil) 31:27.15,5
2. White Inc 61-1 Adrian Enthoven (South Africa) 61-2 Nic White (South Africa) 32:20.31,1 +53.15,6
3. Hampton Cycles Australia 302-1 Damien Jones (Australia) 302-2 Brad Clarke (Australia) 32:41.44,1 +1:14.28,6
4. Absa Shake & Bake 432-1 Tobie van Heerden (South Africa) 432-2 Carel Vosloo (South Africa) 33:36.43,2 +2:09.27,7
5. Van de Haterd Mtb 173-1 John van de Wouw (Netherlands) 173-2 Maikel Govaarts (Netherlands) 33:40.19,2 +2:13.03,7
6. Barclays/Oakhaven 402-1 Michael Creedon (Ireland) 402-2 Andrew Cairns (South Africa) 34:28.21,6 +3:01.06,1
7. Sasol Mitas 250-1 Johan Labuschagne (South Africa) 250-2 Gerrie Beukes (South Africa) 34:47.25,5 +3:20.10,0
8. Klein-Aus Vista MTB 559-1 Piet Swiegers (Namibia) 559-2 Atle Hansen (Sweden) 35:21.48,0 +3:54.32,5
9. Momsen Bikes UK 578-1 Scott Cornish (England) 578-2 Stuart Spies (South Africa) 35:39.34,7 +4:12.19,2
10. Pure Event Gear / Midas 406-1 Pierre Griffioen (South Africa) 406-2 Igna de Villiers (South Africa) 35:48.14,6 +4:20.59,1
2016 Stage 7 Grand Masters
Stage Results
1. Meerendal BIXS KTM 65-1 Barti Bucher (Switzerland) 65-2 Heinz Zoerweg (Austria) 3:39.02,5
2. Cycle Lab 66-1 Andrew Mclean (South Africa) 66-2 Doug Brown (South Africa) 3:39.40,0 +37,5
3. Robert Daniel 67-1 Robert Sim (South Africa) 67-2 Udo Boelts (Germany) 3:40.55,7 +1.53,2
Overall Results
1. Robert Daniel 67-1 Robert Sim (South Africa) 67-2 Udo Boelts (Germany) 31:42.27,5
2. Meerendal BIXS KTM 65-1 Barti Bucher (Switzerland) 65-2 Heinz Zoerweg (Austria) 32:11.50,0 +29.22,5
3. Cycle Lab 66-1 Andrew Mclean (South Africa) 66-2 Doug Brown (South Africa) 32:51.32,0 +1:09.04,5
4. UTi Masters 92-1 Greg Anderson (South Africa) 92-2 Deon Kruger (South Africa) 35:28.35,6 +3:46.08,1
5. Santos Rohloff 344-1 Marcus Richter (Germany) 344-2 Ralf Kropp (Germany) 37:01.14,9 +5:18.47,4
6. Mont & Puc 125-1 Graham Monteith (South Africa) 125-2 Rory Attridge (South Africa) 38:54.26,8 +7:11.59,3
7. Azura Retreats 185-1 Martijn Mellaart (Netherlands) 185-2 Guy Jennings (South Africa) 38:59.54,0 +7:17.26,5
8. Pitstop1Sport24hrs 90-1 Waleed Baker (South Africa) 90-2 Charles Nienaber (South Africa) 39:13.39,2 +7:31.11,7
9. Old Bullets 429-1 Abbey de Groot (South Africa) 429-2 Ettienne Soekoe (South Africa) 39:27.15,1 +7:44.47,6
10. Bestmed LandRover Sandton 88-1 Rory Mapstone (South Africa) 88-2 Wayne McDuling (South Africa) 39:38.05,4 +7:55.37,9
2016 Stage 7 Mixed
Stage Results
1. Trek Israel CCC 73-1 Idit Shub (Israel) 73-2 Gal Tsachor (Israel) 3:59.25,8
2. USN Spike and Sparky 113-1 Sanet Coetzee (South Africa) 113-2 Dana Coetzee (South Africa) 4:02.41,1 +3.15,3
3. Topbike Racing 258-1 Katja Cauwenbergh (Belgium) 258-2 Ken Van den Bulke (Belgium) 4:05.32,1 +6.06,3
Overall Results
1. Open – Kappius Components 72-1 Jean-Francois Bossler (France) 72-2 Fanny Bourdon (France) 36:01.42,5
2. Trek Israel CCC 73-1 Idit Shub (Israel) 73-2 Gal Tsachor (Israel) 36:41.09,1 +39.26,6
3. Giant Obwalden 209-1 Hans Fluck (Switzerland) 209-2 Anita Bucher (Switzerland) 37:03.11,5 +1:01.29,0
4. Topbike Racing 258-1 Katja Cauwenbergh (Belgium) 258-2 Ken Van den Bulke (Belgium) 37:41.47,1 +1:40.04,6
5. USN Spike and Sparky 113-1 Sanet Coetzee (South Africa) 113-2 Dana Coetzee (South Africa) 38:15.07,4 +2:13.24,9
6. Scott Mix 608-1 Nadia Visser (South Africa) 608-2 Rikus Visser (South Africa) 39:09.44,8 +3:08.02,3
7. BPFteam.com 74-1 Alexis Barnes (Australia) 74-2 Gareth Barnes (Australia) 39:41.29,1 +3:39.46,6
8. Meerendal Rocky Mountain 124-1 Sabina Compassi (Switzerland) 124-2 Paul Buhler (Switzerland) 39:43.17,9 +3:41.35,4
9. Globeflight 41-1 Henning Blaauw (South Africa) 41-2 Louise Ferreira (South Africa) 39:48.53,8 +3:47.11,3
10. Bicycle Service Company 187-1 Monica Glover (South Africa) 187-2 Danny-lee Fowler (South Africa) 39:52.56,3 +3:51.13,8
2016 Stage 7 Absa African
Stage Results
1. USN Purefit 7-1 Darren Lill (South Africa) 7-2 Waylon Woolcock (South Africa) 3:16.40,4
2. NAD Pro MTB 8-1 Gawie Combrinck (South Africa) 8-2 Nico Bell (South Africa) 3:18.31,5 +1.51,1
3. Kargo Pro 23-1 Andrew Warr (South Africa) 23-2 Marco Joubert (South Africa) 3:21.32,4 +4.52,0
Overall Results
1. USN Purefit 7-1 Darren Lill (South Africa) 7-2 Waylon Woolcock (South Africa) 29:03.22,9
2. NAD Pro MTB 8-1 Gawie Combrinck (South Africa) 8-2 Nico Bell (South Africa) 29:28.26,8 +25.03,9
3. Rwanda 21-1 Nathan Byukusenge (Rwanda) 21-2 Thinus Redelinghuys (South Africa) 31:15.00,0 +2:11.37,1
4. Imbuko-Freewheel Cycology 25-1 Christopher Wolhuter (South Africa) 25-2 Craig Boyes (South Africa) 31:26.00,5 +2:22.37,6
5. GoPro 30-1 Oliver Munnik (South Africa) 30-2 Matthew Beers (South Africa) 31:31.47,6 +2:28.24,7
6. Kargo Pro 23-1 Andrew Warr (South Africa) 23-2 Marco Joubert (South Africa) 31:40.31,3 +2:37.08,4
7. William Simpson A 33-1 Michael Posthumus (South Africa) 33-2 Derrin Smith (South Africa) 31:56.37,4 +2:53.14,5
8. Britehouse Biogen 24-1 Carl Pasio (South Africa) 24-2 Charles Keey (South Africa) 32:01.35,7 +2:58.12,8
9. White Inc 61-1 Adrian Enthoven (South Africa) 61-2 Nic White (South Africa) 32:20.31,1 +3:17.08,2
10. NFB – Spine & Sport 32-1 Craig Uria (South Africa) 32-2 Andrew Duvenage (South Africa) 32:30.54,8 +3:27.31,9
2016 Stage 7 Exxaro
Stage Results
1. Exxaro/RMB 81-1 Jan Montshioa (South Africa) 81-2 Thokozani Mahlangu (South Africa) 3:49.06,5
2. Exxaro/Tronox 82-1 Rilamulele Gadabeni (South Africa) 82-2 Tovhowani Mavundadavhi (South Africa) 3:57.39,0 +8.32,5
3. Exxaro/EOH 592-1 Tshepo Tlou (South Africa) 592-2 Anele Mtalana (South Africa) 3:57.40,2 +8.33,7
Overall Results
1. Exxaro/Tronox 82-1 Rilamulele Gadabeni (South Africa) 82-2 Tovhowani Mavundadavhi (South Africa) 35:20.47,8
2. Exxaro/EOH 592-1 Tshepo Tlou (South Africa) 592-2 Anele Mtalana (South Africa) 36:33.28,6 +1:12.40,8
3. Exxaro/RMB 81-1 Jan Montshioa (South Africa) 81-2 Thokozani Mahlangu (South Africa) 36:35.26,1 +1:14.38,3
4. DMA – Kargo 423-1 Clement Mabula (South Africa) 423-2 William Mokgopo (South Africa) 37:07.13,7 +1:46.25,9
5. Exxaro/Datacentrix 283-1 Sabelo Mncwabe (South Africa) 283-2 Masala Khumbudzo (South Africa) 39:09.17,1 +3:48.29,3
6. CPUT / PPS 499-1 Seraj Abrahams (South Africa) 499-2 Mthetheleli Boya (South Africa) 41:32.08,0 +6:11.20,2