The weather took a devastating toll on Absa Cape Epic riders for the second consecutive day yesterday, with stage winner Robert Mennen of Germany describing it as “survival of the fittest”.
Winning ladies Annika Langvad (R) and Ariane Kleinhans (L) during stage 2 of the 2014 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Arabella Wines in Robertson. Photo: Sam Clark / Cape Epic / SPORTZPICS
Mennen and his Czech partner Kristian Hynek (Team Topeak-Ergon) took stage two in 4h12m17s, but four-times Absa Cape Epic winner Karl Platt of Germany and his Swiss teammate Urs Huber (Team Bulls) overcame a crash and the weather to snatch the yellow leaders’ jersey by finishing second.
Platt’s great rival Christoph Sauser, also bidding for a fifth win and riding this year with Czech partner Frantisek Rabon, fell back by nearly 12 minutes on the day after a broken part in his brakes started binding on the rear wheel.
But the biggest losers on the stage were overnight yellow jersey holders Markus Kaufmann and Jochen Kaess (Centurion Vaude), both of Germany, when the latter’s frame broke.
They had to make running repairs using a spare tube and cable ties, eventually finishing 1h50m behind the winners in 112th position – and out of contention for the podium when the race finishes at Lourensford wine estate on Sunday.
Women’s favourites Ariane Kleinhans of Switzerland and Annike Langvad of Denmark (RECM2) recovered brilliantly from a disastrous stage one to take back nearly nine minutes of the 24 they lost to Meerendal’s Esther Suss (Swiss) and Sally Bigham (English).
Third place in the women’s category went to Swede Jennie Stenerhag and South African Theresa Ralph (Cape Brewing Company), who are now 19 minutes back on the leaders.
To view more information on the Absa Cape Epic event, click here.
