26 MARCH 2010
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ABSA CAPE EPIC – STAGE 6 RESULTS
FLüCKIGER BROTHERS PEDAL TO VICTORY
BULLS PLATT AND SAHM LEAD BY CLOSE TO SEVEN MINUTES
The Flűckiger brothers’ team of Lukas (26) and Mathias (21) from Switzerland repeated last year’s final stage victory by winning stage 6 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic in 4:37.22,6. They were followed by the Swiss/South African duo of Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander (Songo-Specialized by DCM) in a time of 4:40.00,8 with the German Bulls Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm close on their heels in 4:40.00,9. In fourth place were Kevin Evans and Alban Lakata (Team MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon) in a time of 4:43.36,1.
Max Knox and Brandon Stewart of DCM Chrome finished in sixteenth place today (5:05.14,4), successfully defending their African Leader jersey for the third day in a row. They have moved to the eleventh place overall (24:03.02,8).
Stage 6 took riders from Worcester to Oak Valley, a distance of 123km and 2 240m of climbing. After a neutral convoy out of Worcester, riders were soon hugging the shores of Brandvlei Dam. Then the ups and downs began; retracing some of the 2009 route in reverse. Climbs were short but some gradients reached up to 26%. A dead-straight chute took the field down to the canals, through the orchards, then into some singletrack and finally over the wall of the vast Theewaterskloof Dam. The race then took a short-cut through a hidden valley to Porcupine Hills before reaching the foot of another monument of the Absa Cape Epic, the Groenlandberg Cape Nature conservation area. Route designer “Dr Evil” found a new way for riders to conquer this beautiful beast. The first part followed a steep dirt road up to Water Point 3 and part two took riders into virgin Epic mountain biking territory and deep into nature, all the way to the Groenlandberg saddle. This offered views of the beautiful Elgin Valley, and the treat of the day was fast and smooth singletrack in Thandi and Oak Valley.
Men’s Category
The Flückiger brothers of Trek World Racing, Mathias and Lukas, were the first to cross the finish line of Stage 6, placing them in fourth position overall (23:14.12,8). The brothers finished in eighth position overall last year, having improved by four places so far this year. Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander of Songo-Specialized by DCM were second to cross the finish line, moving up one position overall to second place (22:57.37,1). They were followed by the Bulls Team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, who successfully defended the Leader jersey with an overall time of 22:50.41,1. Kevin Evans and Alban Lakata Team MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon, have moved to third position overall (23:00.41,0). The Multivan Merida team of Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler are now in fifth position overall (23:25.56,5) and Bart Brentjens and Jelmer Pietersma of Trek-Brentjens in seventh place overall (23:36.55,0).
Lukas Flückiger of Trek World Racing comments that they rode with the other riders for most of the way. “Only when Songo-Specialized by DCM had a flat, we broke away - it was just before Groenlandberg. We took yesterday easy and planned it as a rest day. We knew today was going to be tough and this was obviously a good option as it worked for us.” Adds Mathias: “At the beginning of the stage my legs were bad, but I felt better later in the stage. The Bulls really pushed today and it was hard work to hang on to the lead. Our legs felt good near the finish and we’re very happy about the stage win. We also had no bad luck today. It’s important for us to win a stage at the Absa Cape Epic.”
Karl Platt of the overall leading Bulls Team says: “I really want to thank the organisers for the first 25km today. It was a really nice gift. It was easy going and the first time during this year’s event we could warm up a bit more - not like the other days where we had to go from the word go. From the MTN Hotspot, the race really started and everyone was going fast. Christoph and Burry worked hard today and we were riding together from the start of the Groenlandberg to the finish. They made up some time on the GC (general classification). It’s all okay – were really happy with where we are at the moment.” Adds Sahm: “It was a good day. I was a bit afraid of the long stage especially the ugly climb in the last part. But the spirits of Groenlandberg must love me because I felt great and although Burry and Christoph tried to lose us, we could stay at their back wheels all the way to the finish.”
Says Burry Stander (Songo-Specialized by DCM): “We had a flat and it took us about a minute to repair. It happened at a really crucial time on the fast gravel section. We worked hard to get to the start of the climb and spent some energy, so by the time we got to the Bulls, we gave them everything we had but couldn’t break away. Hopefully we can still push for the next two days to secure another stage win. We all know the Flückigers are very fast riders and knew they were going to be strong today. They attacked super hard.” Adds Sauser: “I had a flat about 4km before the real race started and we couldn’t catch up. We wasted lot of energy as it was really hard all the way to the top – digging, digging. The downhill was fast to the finish, but the Bulls were very strong too. I’m very happy with our second place overall – we moved up one position which is pretty cool.”
Alban Lakata of Team MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon was not at his best today, “I felt very bad today. I thought I had good legs in the morning, but it was different after warming up. Maybe the third stage had broken me. It was such a difficult day with all the running and perhaps the chasing was too much for my body. I’m still trying to recover from that. My biggest problem at the moment is to stay with the leaders as long as possible, but I’ll try my best and work hard for a podium finish.”
Ladies Category
Kristine and Anna-Sofie Noergaard (team Rothaus-CUBE) won the Ladies for the fourth day in a row, finishing in a time of 5:41,41,7. They remain in first position overall (28:37.35,5). They were again followed by Hannele Steyn-Kotze and Ivonne Kraft (Team Sludge Ladies) in a time of 5:55.42,6, who are placed second overall (29:00.45,8). In third place were Giuliana Vitali and Tamara Horn (team bike2help.ch – Big Tree) with their fifth podium finish in this year’s race (6:29.21,8), placing them in third position overall (31:27.38,0).
Says Anna-Sofie Noergaard of team Rothaus-CUBE: “Today’s stage was fun. It was nice for us as we started very slow and had time to get warmed up. We stayed with Ivonne and Hannele for a long time, but broke away later in the race. We talk to each other a lot during the race. We cheer each other up, discuss how we’re feeling and really motivate each other. We’ll just keep going the way we have been for the next two stages as it seems to work for us. We’ve been feeling stronger every day, and slept well last night.” Adds her sister Kristine: “We’d really like to thank the people at the water points. They make things easy for us so that we can continue really fast. The mechanic will lube chains, while we get some drinks. Today’s stage wasn’t as steep or technical as I expected and I loved the vastness of the scenery.”
Says Ivonne Kraft of the Sludge Ladies: “It was a very nice stage for us. We rode with the Danish girls for a lot of the way, but on the downhills they’re just faster as a team. We can keep up with them on the uphills and flat sections. We also decided that it was more important to be safe than take any risks.” Adds Hannele Steyn-Kotze: “I think that Anna-Sofie and Kristine are stronger than me, maybe not than Ivonne. I try to keep a consistent pace and can ride for long, but not any faster. Yesterday was really nice to sleep a bit later – I really enjoyed it. I have great respect for other teams if they do better. I really try my best but definitely am slower on the downhill.”
Mixed Category
Yolande Speedy and Paul Cordes (MTN Business Qhubeka) finished in first place again today in a time of 5:19.15,3 and remain the overall leaders in their category (26:13.08,6). Bärti Bucher and Esther Süss (Wheeler – BIXS) finished second in 5:27.07,4 and remain in second place overall (26:45.44,1). They were followed by Nico Pfitzenmaier and Sally Bigham of the Adidas Big Tree team in third place (5:41.32,5) and are placed third overall (27:18.40,9).
Yolande Speedy of MTN Business Qhubeka says: “We had a gap at the beginning of the race and pushed really hard. The long climb up Groenlandberg seemed as if it’s going to go on forever, but we rode as hard as we could till the end. We also managed to stretch our lead, which is good. Yesterday helped our legs recover and it was also great to have some cloud cover today.” Her team mate Paul Cordes adds: “We had no intention to open the gap today. We wanted to ride fast and because the race concertinaed a bit, we couldn’t always see the others. Esther and Bärti were riding really well today. We enjoyed the technical stuff and the last 15km suited us great. After yesterday’s short stage, we’re feeling a lot better today.”
Ester Süss of the Wheeler – BIXS team says: “I wasn’t feeling well and had some health problems last night. Today was really tough as it was a very long stage. My legs were good but I had no energy.” Adds her partner Bärti Bucher: “Today’s stage was a bit flat for us – I think for about 80km. We really like uphills and downhills, that’s why we love mountain biking. It was a lot of work for us to follow the Leader jersey. Fortunately we had no mechanical problems, and will take stage for stage until Sunday when we finish at Lourensford Wine Estate. “
Masters Category
Cyclelab’s Shan Wilson and Andrew Mclean defended their Leader jersey for the fifth time by winning Stage 6 in 5:16.27,8. They remain in the overall lead in the Masters (25:55.12,2) by 2 hours and 26 minutes. They were followed by Corrie Muller and Robert Sim of the Big Tree Masters - their fourth podium finish in the year’s race (5:22.05,0). They have moved up one position to third place overall in this category (28:21.32,4). Adrian Enthoven and Gary Marescia (Cycle Lab Jag Foundation) finished third in 5:38.11,7 and maintain their second place overall (27:31.23,3). In fourth place were Pieter van Rooyen and Milan Spolc of Oleander (5:38.24,8) who are placed fifth overall (28:47.28,8). Geof Blance and Malcolm Mcleod of R & R Sport New Zealand finished fifth in 5:38.58,1 and have moved to fourth place overall (28:25.12,7).
Says Shan Wilson of Cyclelab: “It was a nice course, but very tough with lots of singletrack and also lots of sand – we can’t seem to get away from the sand this year. We decided to be consistent today and arrived at Oak Valley feeling well. My legs are still sore and I’m really looking forward to the finish line now. We’re very happy with our overall lead.” Adds Andrew Mclean:
“I think the big mountain made everyone nervous. We have a good lead, so there’s no pressure and we rode at our own steady pace. We also didn’t have any mechanicals, the weather was nice and a lot cooler, but my legs are tired.”
Stage 7 will take take riders over 99km and 2 160 of climbing. The short sharp hills early on will really burn with five minutes up and 15 seconds down making riders work hard. After the descent past Houwhoek Inn riders will pass Botriver onto some fast gravel roads through the farmland. On the main obstacle of the day up to Lebanon Highlands Plantation, rocks and loose ground force riders to get off their bikes when it gets steep. Dassenberg has been renamed The Beeatch because of its sandy surface as well as level of complexity. Not long in kilometers, this climb will take even the experienced participants more than half an hour to master. After crossing over to Houteq, it is singletrack time, heading into Lebanon for some of the most coveted trails in the Cape. More short, steep climbs stand in the way of a final stretch of swooping paths taking riders to their final night on tour.
For those not participating in the full race, there is a call for entries into the one day mountain bike race, the MTN Cape Times Vigne a Vigne. Interested riders can register online at www.vigne-a-vigne.com. The Cape Times Lourensford Vineyard Run is a unique 11 km trail running race. The Vineyard Run (also on 28 March 2010) will start at 08:30, providing participants with beautiful vistas and numerous climbs through the idyllic and picturesque Lourensford Wine Estate.
Live entertainment for the entire family, including wine tasting, magnificent scenery and the finest food and wine will be on offer at the finish at Lourensford Wine Estate, as well as the opportunity to see the ever popular Watershed in action. Entrance is free.
Visit www.cape-epic.com for more details and to see where the riders are online during the race.
Share in the legend!
ENDS
Issued by Purple Pine PR
Contact: Gina Ganswyk
082 578 5010
Peter Marx
082 619 5900
For Absa Cape Epic
Contact: Tanya Odendaal
021 426 4373