German mountain biker Robert Mennen had barely pulled on the yellow Absa Cape Epic leaders’ jersey after yesterday’s stage three and he was wondering if it was cursed.
Frantisek Rabon of Meerendal Songo Specialized celebrates after winning stage three of the 2014 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage. Photo: Shaun Roy / Cape Epic / SPORTZPICS
“We’re a little bit afraid… I’m not sure if there’s a little bit of bad luck, but hopefully we can keep it on our shoulders a bit longer (than the others have),” said German Mennen, who together with Topeak-Ergon teammate Kristian Hynek took the overall lead Wednesday.
Three teams have worn what would normally be regarded as one of the most prized rewards in their sport in the race’s three stages so far – and each has suffered a disastrous day.
The 134km stage from Robertson to Greyton – the longest this year – was won in a sprint by Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser, aiming for his fifth win, and Czech Frantisek Rabon (Meerendal Songo Specialized).
Wednesday it was the turn of the other four-times winner Karl Platt to fall victim to the travails of those wearing the yellow jersey. The German and teammate Urs Huber (Bulls) began the day in yellow after a strong stage two, but it was soon evident that he was suffering from a knee damaged in a crash on Tuesday.
Sauser and Rabon are third overall after winning the sprint in 4:53.36,4. Markus Kaufmann and Jochen Kaess (Centurion-Vaude) finished a split second behind Sauser and Rabon, but their disastrous stage two – when Kaufmann broke the frame of his bike while they were wearing yellow – meant the Germans are out of contention for the overall win.
Original women’s favourites Swiss Ariane Kleinhans and Dane Annike Langvad (RECM 2) won the category by two-and-a-half minutes in 5:34.06,7, but will be disappointed in their performance: they were hoping to make up more time on the overall leaders but ended up riding on their own in windy, blustery conditions and appeared to weaken towards the end.
They are now 11 minutes behind leaders Esther Suss, also Swiss, and England’s Sally Bigham (Meerendal) in the race for overall honours.
To view more information on the Absa Cape Epic event, click here.
