Following a dominant performance throughout the week, Investec-songo-Specialized’s Annika Langvad and Anna van der Breggen were somewhat emotional after sealing the Cape Epic title at the Val de Vie Estate today.
The Dane-Dutch pair won seven of the eight stages. They had just one minor hiccup in the queen stage on Friday when they lost out to Summit Fin’s Candice Lill and Adelheid Morath.
But that loss barely put a dent in their overall time. Their winning margin was over half an hour.
Following a dominant performance throughout the week, Investec-songo-Specialized’s Annika Langvad (left) and Anna van der Breggen sealed their overall Cape Epic victory today. Photo: Shaun Roy/Cape Epic
Langvad and Van der Breggen looked to play it more conservative on the 70km final stage today, but they still put up a fine spectacle against Lill and Morath, who stayed with them for the duration of the contest.
Only shortly before entering the estate, did the winning pair put the hammer down to create a gap.
They managed to solo over the line 17 seconds ahead of Lill and Morath.
Despite their overall dominance, Langvad said they experienced various ups and downs during the week.
“It’s been so intense and really emotional, I must say,” Langvad said afterwards.
“But it’s been a really good week and it’s been great racing with Anna and forming a new partnership. It’s been a blast.”
World road champion Van der Breggen went into the Epic seeking a new challenge, and she got just that.
“It’s been a really tough week. It was such a nice experience and something totally new to feel – the way you can push your body to its limits, sitting this many hours in the saddle,” she said.
“Annika was always supporting me, as well as the team. I also enjoyed the camping [after each stage].
“Sometimes I didn’t always enjoy the suffering, but at the end it was so rewarding.”
The Epic was on another level to what she had ever experienced before on the road, Van der Breggen added.
“I don’t think my body has ever been this tired and I’ve probably never done so many hours in one week before.
“All those things, along with the experiences, I can take as lessons in my career.”
Lill was delighted at their solid second place, having beaten Kross-Spur’s Ariane Luthi and Maja Wloszczowska into third by almost 40 minutes.
“We came into the Epic with the goal of getting a podium and the real high for us was winning the queen stage. I don’t think either of us expected that.
“We’re so grateful to have performed like this and crossed the finish line in second.”
