Race commissaire Deon Steyn said he felt they had little choice but to neutralise the fifth stage of Liberty TransCape MTB Encounter today after some confusion over the route.
Apparently a farmer thought the cyclists had already gone through his land and removed the route markings, which ended up fragmenting the race.
In addition, a swarm of bees stung the marshal on the lead bike, as well as some riders, causing further chaos on the stage.
The lead bunch cross a river before the 99km fifth stage of the Liberty TransCape MTB Encounter from Swellendam to Greyton was neutralised at the second water point because of confusion over the route. The seven-stage 614km race ends at the La Couronne Wine Estate in Franschhoek on Saturday. Photo: Robert Ward
“At water point two I gathered the information available and realised the race was essentially back to front, with the elite group behind everyone else.
“After discussion with the elite riders it was agreed that there were too many riders ahead to have a proper contest and it was decided to neutralise the stage.
“The race organisers and the owner of the event agreed with this decision so we will resume the race tomorrow.”
This means race leaders HB Kruger and Stuart Marais (ASG-Ellsworth) will maintain their 11-minute overall lead going into the penultimate stage of 74km from Greyton to Houwhoek.
Second in the general classification are Norwegian professionals Eirik Fiskvik and Thomas Engelsgjerd (Team Happysalmon), followed by the French-German combination of Antonin Marecaille and Julian Biefang (Chiru-Magura-Canyon).
The seven-stage race, supported by STANLIB and Volvo Cars, will finish at the La Couronne Wine Estate in Franschhoek on Saturday after getting under way in Knysna on Sunday.
