Swiss duo Fabian Giger and Martin Gujan sprung to an early lead as they swept into the yellow zebra jersey in Sunday’s Absa Cape Epic Prologue.
Karl Platts of Bulls Team being interviewed during the pre race events held at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town prior to the start of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race. Photo: Damien Schumann/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
Giger and Gujan, who ride in the colours of Novus OMX Pro, were delighted with their performance.
“I didn’t expect it at all but I’m very happy to get the win,” said Giger.
“We left quite early (before the favourites for the stage) and had a good time out there.”
They finished in 46 minutes and 18 seconds, an exceptionally quick time for the 20km Table Mountain course.
Four-times winners Karl Platt and Christoph Sauser rounded off the podium in second and third with their respective teammates.
Team Bulls’s Platt (German) and Urs Huber (Swiss) were second, 18 seconds behind the Swiss pair.
“We didn’t start full gas,” said Platt. “We kept it steady and I think it worked out.”
Swiss Sauser and Czech Jaroslav Kulhavy (Investec Songo Specialized) finished third, five seconds behind Platt and Huber.
“It was hard for me,” said Sauser. “I struggled with the climbing.”
Defending champion Kristian Hynek of the Czech Republic and Austrian Alban Lakata (Topeak Ergon) finished seventh overall, 51 seconds behind the leaders.
In the women’s race, last year’s defending champions Ariana Kleinhans and Annika Langvad took top honours during the 20km prologue stage in a time of 53:38.
Team Ascendis Health’s Jennie Stenerhag and Robyn de Groot claimed second position with Milena Landtwing and Hielke Elferink (Meerendal Wheeler Cannondale) rounding out the podium in third.
Go to Absa Cape Epic for more results and photos.
