Czech Jaroslav Kulhavy and his Swiss teammate Christoph Sauser navigated cold and windy conditions to dominate the second stage of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic on Tuesday extending their overall lead to more than six minutes.
“Jaro was super, super strong and did a lot of work,” said Sauser about Kulhavy’s riding in front and taking the brunt of the wind.
Leaders Jersey holders Jaroslav Kulhavy of Investec-Songo-Specialized and Christoph Sauser of Investec-Songo-Specialized celebrate as they win stage two.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
“That wind was crazy, but it was good stage and there were some really nice trails over the last 20kms,” said Kulhavy.
Defending champion Czech Kristian Hynek and partner Austrian Alban Lakata placed second after stage two.
The pair managed to break away with Sauser and Kulhavy at the top of the tough Nuweberg climb about 20km into the ride.
For the remainder of the stage they were chased by the Bulls’s German/Swiss combination of Karl Platt and Urs Huber and Mutivan Merida’s Jose Hermida of Spain and Dutchman Rudi van Houts.
Kulhavy pulled the leading two teams away in the second half of the 92km stage.
About 12km from the finish Hynek and Lakata could not hold on and dropped back, eventually finishing two minutes and 18 seconds behind Sauser and Kulhavy.
In the women’s race Team RECM’s Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Lanvad extended their 20 minute lead to 46 minutes ahead of Ascendis Health’s Jennie Sternehag and Robyn Lee de Groot. However, a time penalty for a wrong turn saw them lose the stage win and overall lead.
Wednesday’s third stage is the longest of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic with riders travelling 128km with 2 200m ascent from Oak Valley to Worcester.
