Stage 1 – Knysna to Saasveld (128.5 km, 2950m)
Day one of The CAPE EPIC started with a tough but exciting and technical ride. Route chief Leon Evans tried to put all the scenic beauty and diversity South Africa has to offer into his first stage – indigenous forest, desert, splendid vistas, river crossings as well as many stunning trails.
And the riders awarded him with compliments. “It was an awesome stage”, Roel Paulissen said in the finish. “The diversity of the scenery was absolutely incredible. And I was surprised that South Africa has these kinds of mountain bike tracks.”
Roel and his team partner Bart Brentjens (Giant) put on a phenomenal start to the 8-day race. When they reached the finish line in the Saasveld Forestry Training College after 4 hours 31 minutes and 16.58 seconds they had build up a lead by more than 21 minutes to Christoph Sauser (SUI) and Fredrik Kessiakoff (SWE) (Siemens Cannondale). “Roel was very strong in the beginning, I was strong in the end”, summarised Bart Brentjens their extraordinary team performance. “During the first 80 kilometres I really had to suffer. The track was very difficult with lots of short and steep climbs. It was a constant up and down and very tiring.”
Awesome RouteDespite heavy rainfalls on registration day, the route was in top condition with firm ground and only few muddy sections. Fredrik Kessiakoff and Christoph Sauser who came in second today (4:41:53.40) also raved about the first stage. “The course was WOW”, Kessiakoff said with a bright smile. “So varied – we went through thick green rainforest-like jungle and a few kilometres later through the desert.” The two Siemens Cannondale Riders that are normally competitors at the World Cup enjoyed the team experience. “It is great to ride in a team”, so Fredrik. “You look after each other, can help when you have a mechanical, and talk during the ride. It gives racing another dimension and is quite a nice change to our World Cup routine.”
Woman BattleLast year’s winner in the Women category, Hanlie Booyens (RSA), who was still handicapped by a bad flu, and her team partner Michelle Lombardi (RSA) (Scott Ladies), decided to ride stage one at their pace today, regardless of possible attacks of teams. Yet they had a leading role in the first suspense battle between the top two teams in the Women category, which they won with a lead by 2.5 minutes minutes today. Marshals along the route watched a constant change at the front between Hanlie and Michelle and team Fiat Bianchi Adidas 2 with Hannele Steyn-Kotze (RSA) and Zoe Frost (RSA). “We really rode our own race today and we didn’t expect this result at all”, Hanlie said in the afternoon. “In fact our goal of the day was to minimise the loss, because I was really sick this week and still in bed on Tuesday. So I had to take it easy today.”
Results
Men1. Giant – Roel Paulissen (BEL), Bart Brentjens (NDL) – 4:31.16.582. Siemens Cannondale – Christoph Sauser (SUI), Fredrik Kessiakoff – 4:41:53.403. Papival-Stoeckli-Move Magazine – Sandro Spaeth (SUI), Thomas Zahnd – 4:46.42.99
Women1. Scott Ladies – Hanlie Booyens (RSA), Michelle Lombardi (RSA) – 6:14:48.732. Fiat/ Bianchi/ adidas 2 – Hannele Steyn-Kotze (RSA), Michelle Lombardi (RSA) – 6:16:01.813. Hai-Bike/ Scrane.de – Kirsten Rösel (GER), Petronella Hattingh (RSA) – 6:28.33.79
Master1. Sauna Diana – Jan Siemons (NDL), Jos v. Aert (NDL) – 5:32.16.882. Getaway Mongoos – Doug Brown (RSA), Friedrich Coleske (RSA) – 5:37:53.033. Psychotic and Neurotic – Gary Cooper (RSA), Mark Prince (RSA) – 5:43:33.44
Mixed1. Manic Cycles/ Enduren – Geddan Ruckock (RSA), Janine Bomford (RSA) – 6:05:50.852. Marsillo Projects – Yolande de Villiers (RSA), Tony Conlon (RSA) – 6:07:51.383. Team Microsoft – Nic White (RSA), Anke Erlank (RSA) – 6:08:50.11
Stage 2Tomorrow the riders are facing the longest and hardest stage of this year’s CAPE EPIC: 144.6 km and 2720 m from Saasveld to Herbertsdale
http://www.cape-epic.com/Dank aan: Huub Claessens / HeuvelrugMTBpages
