Cycling: Triumph across the board for Swiss bike legend Christoph Sauser (Investec-Songo-Specialized). A nicer farewell to the professional career than with a victory at the Absa Cape Epic is hardly possible. With Jaroslav Kulhavy, Sauser became the first biker to win the prestigious eight-day mountain bike race for the fifth time. A ten-minute lead over the main rivals Alban Lakata (AUT) and Kristian Hynek (CZE) from the Topeak Ergon team was enough on the final stage over 92 kilometers to the Meerendal winery near Cape Town. Co-favorites Karl Platt (GER) and Urs Huber (SUI), Team Bulls, finished third overall.
To uphold the honor of their sponsor, Jochen Käß and Daniel Geismayer (Meerendal Centurion Vaide) rode an unleashed race from the front and clinched the stage win of the finals. Only José Hermida and Rudi van Houts (Multivan Merida) could match the high pace, taking an amazing second place after the Spaniard's stomach problems from the day before. The Swiss Martin Gujan and Fabian Giger (Novus OMX Pro) were third.
“These moments are really rare”, said a touched and champagne-drenched Sauser at the finish. “When I grow old maybe winning the Epic five times right now will mean a lot to me. Now I'm just enjoying this moment”. Crossing the finish line as the overall winner was one for him “great, great relief”. The otherwise rather quiet Olympic champion Kulhavy also had a big grin on his face. “It's great to drive a race like this with Susi. I enjoyed every kilometer today and especially the finish line.”
Hynek said after the final: “I didn't think I would be disappointed with second place. Not being able to defend the title (which he won with Robert Mennen last year) hurts more than I thought..."
“My big goal is to win the Absa Cape Epic. I really have to be happy. After 5,4th, 3th and 1rd place now second, there can only be number XNUMX. It was very strong competition this year, Susi and Jara drove a bit better than us. We were also a little unlucky on some days. Unfortunately we arrived without a stage win, today I also fell and hurt my knee, so it was just not possible anymore. I am also very satisfied with second place overall.”, said his teammate Alban Lakata.
A little disappointed was Karl Platt, four-time Epic winner, at the finish. "I only got to enjoy half of the epic this time around - we probably put too much pressure on ourselves." His partner Urs Huber suffered extremely in the last two stages, he said.
The Scott Factory Racing team of Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes, who won Stage 5, also became the first African team to finish to take the overall African leader's jersey.
A large chocolate cake awaited Annika Langvad at the finish line - the three-time marathon world champion celebrated her birthday with the overall victory of the Absa Cape Epic. The Dane was safe with Ariane Kleinhans in the RECM Specialized team. Not even a time penalty after a wrong move could slow them down. "We are very happy. Birthday, victory, overall victory, we have enough to celebrate today," said a happy Annika Langvad after the finish line. Already three kilometers before the finish line, the two had high-fived the spectators along the route.
The incredible performance of the two women is even better rewarded at this year's Absa Cape Epic than the overall winners in the men's category. Thanks to women's category sponsor Sasol, the prize money at the Epic is as high as that of the men: Kleinhans/Langvad receive 200000 South African Rand for overall victory, seven times 5000 Rand for stage victory and victory at the Sasol Hotspots (three mountain classifications). it 15000 Rand each.
The leaders of the overall mixed standings, Ivonne Kraft (GER) and Peter Vesel (SLO) had to give up a few minutes with a broken chain, but overall victory was safe with a gap of 39 minutes to the next. "It's a dream come true for Peter, Kraft said, he's wanted to be at the Absa Cape Epic for ten years and now to have stage and overall victory is like a miracle."
Cyclocross specialist Hanka Kupfernagel, riding with veteran Epic master Karsten Bresser (Team Dietrich Rocky Mountain), missed the podium with a fourth place finish in her Epic debut. “It was crazy”, says the cross and road specialist, “but I got better and better at it and now I can even imagine doing a few mountain bike races again.”
In the Masters, the leaders Bart Brentjens/Abraao Azevedo (BETCH.nl-Suiperior) remained sovereign. The pursuers Pfitzenmaier/Simm (RSA, Team Dorma Robert Daniel) were severely handicapped by Pfitzenmaier's broken finger and finished 24 minutes behind, but secured second place in the overall ranking.
The Grandmasters Barti Bucher (SUI) and Heinz Zoerweg (AUT), Team Meerendal BIXs KTM, unbeatable with seven daily wins, rolled towards an unchallenged overall victory.