Christoph Sauser and Frantisek Rabon were able to secure their first victory of the day on the third day of the Absa Cape Epic. In an exciting sprint they prevailed against Markus Kaufmann / Jochen Käß and Robert Mennen / Kristian Hynek. The 134-kilometer stage was one of the fastest this year and took the field over wide gravel roads from Robertson to the new main camp in Greyton. It was again 1800 meters to conquer. With the weather showing itself at its best, the field stayed much closer together today than in previous days. Nino Schurter and his South African teammate Philip Buys were also able to use their full experience for the first time and finished fourth, 4.51,4m XNUMXs behind.
The previous overall leaders Karl Platt and Urs Huber reached the finish line in the first large group of pursuers and finished sixth. With the good result from Topeak-Ergon, Mennen and Hynek take over the overall ranking, followed by Karl Platt and Urs Huber. Christoph Sauser and Frantisek Rabon move up to second place with their day's win.
“Finally, we had a good day. We had absolutely no problems, and for the first time, I was able to really enjoy a stage ,” said Rabon. His teammate Sauser added: “It’s almost like last year. Everything came together perfectly today, and the fact that we were able to move up to third place is fantastic; I hadn’t expected that.”
Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad secured their second victory today. They extended their lead over overall leaders Esther Süss and Sally Bigham by 2 minutes and 31 seconds, slowly but surely closing the gap in the general classification. "Today I could finally see again, unlike yesterday in the mud. My legs felt really good today, but the fast, flat stage didn't suit us, so it was all about damage control. We managed that quite well today ," said Süss. Milena Landtwing and Hielke Elferink from the Meerendal Wheeler Team finished third.
result men
1. Christoph Sauser / Frantisek Rabon (Meerendal Songo Specialized) 4:53.34,7
2. Markus Kaufmann / Jochen Kaess (Centurion Vaude) +0,2
3. Robert Mennen / Kristian Hynek (Topeak Ergon) +1,7
4. Nino Schurter / Philip Buys (Scott Odlo MTB) +4.51,4
5. Roel Paulissen / Riccardo Chiarini (Torpado Factory) +10.27,3
result women
1. Ariane Kleinhans / Annika Langvad (RECM 2) 5:34.06,7
2. Esther Suss / Sally Bigham (Meerendal) +2.31,0
3. Milena Landtwing / Hielke Eiferink (Meerendal Wheeler) +18.36,9
4. Jennie Stenerhag / Theresa Ralph (Cape Brewing Company) +23.57,3
5. Sara Mertens / Laura Turpijn (Meerendal Wheeler 2) +31.05,3
Rating men
1. Robert Mennen / Kristian Hynek (Topeak Ergon) 14:56.41,8
2. Karl Platt / Urs Huber (Bulls) +9.26,6
3. Christoph Sauser / Frantisek Rabon (Meerendal Songo Specialized) +9.41,2
4. Tim Boehme / Simon Stiebjahn (Bulls 2) +12.26,8
5. Roel Paulissen / Riccardo Chiarini (Torpado Factory) ++25.50,0
Appreciation women
1. Esther Suss/Sally Bigham (Meerendal) 17:15.19,3
2. Ariane Kleinhans / Annika Langvad (RECM 2) +11.22,5
3. Jennie Stenerhag / Theresa Ralph (Cape Brewing Company) +51.23,1
4. Milena Landtwing / Hielke Eiferink (Meerendal Wheeler) +1:22.31,0
5. Sara Mertens / Laura Turpijn (Meerendal Wheeler 2) +1:38.11,7