The final stage of this year?s Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas saw
Cannondale Vredestein, Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) and Roel Paulissen (BEL), walk away
as overall winners for this year?s event. With a nine minute time advantage
built up of over the last couple of stages, they solidified their position as
winners once again when they crossed the finish line within the leading bunch
of riders who sprinted the last couple of metres of the Magical and Untamed
African Mountain Bike Race. They were welcomed by thousands of enthusiastic
spectators who lined the impressive finish at Lourensford in Somerset-West.
However, first to cross the finish line of the final stage was the Bulls team,
Karl Platt (GER) and Stefan Sahm (GER), at a time of 2:42:21. This secured them
the second place overall (36:10:49). Following the Bulls was Alb-Gold
Mountainbike, Hannes Genze (GER) and Jochen Kaess (GER) in second place, at a
time of 2:42:25 (they ranked fourth overall at 36:28:35). One second later was
the Cannondale Vredestein team (2:42:26), who took top honours this year thanks
to their time advantage from the previous stages (36:01:45). The best
performers from South Africa, MTN Energade (1), Kevin Evans (RSA) and David
George (RSA), claimed their overall third place win (36:18:34) when they
crossed the finish line fourth (2:42:29). They also won the African category
overall.
For the final stage of the 2008 Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas, riders
enjoyed a stage half the length of the longest one, but the climbs were amongst
the steepest. Through the vineyards and orchards of Oak Valley there were
several short, jagged hills. Then came the long, steep climbs over Nuweberg,
which forced many of the riders into their ?granny gear?. As slow as they had
to ride up, the opposite was true of the next downhill sections. Hair-raising
descents forced riders to stay alert in order to avoid a tragic exit to the
race at such a late stage. This took them to the flat section nearing the
bottom of Gamtou Pass where, like last year, they had a compulsory portage
section through this National Heritage Site. The Absa Cape Epic participants
followed in the Voortrekkers? footsteps down to the railway line, through more
vineyards taking them to the finish line at Lourensford.
Roel Paulissen of the overall winning team (Cannondale Vredestein) says that
they were prepared to ride the final stage at a very relaxed pace, as they felt
they didn?t need to fight too much thanks to their time advantage. ?But in the
beginning, Brandon Stewart of USN/adidas broke away to set the pace for the
first twenty kilometres. Once he shot off to attack, our race instincts kicked
in and we immediately stayed with him.? Paulissen then decided to take over in
terms of leading the teams, which he did for most of the race.
All of the leading teams said that it was a really great final stage. For most
of the way, the five leading teams (Bulls, Alb-Gold Mountainbike, Cannondale
Vredestein, MTN Energade and USN/adidas) rode together and broke away from the
rest of the bunch. But the USN/adidas team encountered some problems when
Brandon Stewart had a chain suck one kilometre from the finish line, and had to
fix it. ?After that I was out of the sprint and I am really sad about it. We
felt so good today that I believe we could have stepped on the podium in the
last stage.?
The MTN Energade (1) team is thrilled about their third place ranking overall.
?David had very good legs today so he could have performed well in the sprint.
I ended up in the back of the leading bunch and once I tried to get to the
front, it was too late and I was not in a good enough position to compete in
the final sprint. However, we are really proud of our overall third place and
our African category overall win,? says Kevin Evans.
He added that after winning the Prologue of the 2008 Absa Cape Epic, they
thought that they might be able to take top honours in this year?s event. ?But
after Stage 2 and 3, we thought absolutely not. Then our confidence grew after
Stage 4 and we thought that maybe if we fight and with Lady Luck?s help, we can
climb the overall podium, which we did!?
David George adds: ?What impressed me most about the Absa Cape Epic is the
camaraderie between the pro riders. The mutual respect and the relaxed
atmosphere amongst the top riders is something I have never experienced before
in road racing, that?s why it stood out for me.?
In second place overall for the 2008 Absa Cape Epic, the German Bulls team
returned this year to defend their overall win from the 2007 event. Asked on
whether they thought prior to the race that they could win again this year,
Karl Platt said ?absolutely yes. I have never felt this good before during any
Absa Cape Epic as I did this year. Stefan had a few weak days in the beginning
and I had to pull him on occasion, but we grew from strength to strength
together. It was really hard work to at least claim the second place.?
Champions of the 2008 Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas, the Cannondale
Vredestein team, embraced each other as they completed their race. ?It is a
very sweet victory for us, especially after last year when we were confident
that we might be able to win. But it was taken from us, partially due to bad
luck. But we returned this year to finish unfinished business, and our goal was
to make it happen. And we did!?
Alison Sydor and Pia Sundstedt win Ladies category
First to cross the finish line in the Ladies category was Pia Sundstedt (FIN)
and Alison Sydor (CAN) ? the Rocky Mountain team ? at 3:23:45, their sixth
stage win during this year?s event. This secured them the overall win as well
(43:05:51). With this impressive overall time the victorious Ladies place among
the top 25 overall in the Men category! In second place during the final stage
as well as second overall was Trek/VW Wsd Susan Haywood (USA) and Jennifer
Smith (NZL) (3:28:16 for stage 8 and 44:41:33 overall). In third place overall
was the Scott Contessa team, Jane Seggie (RSA) and Ischen Stopforth (RSA), with
a time of 48:00:03.
Crossing the final finish line in Lourensford, Sydor and Sundstedt were
overwhelmed with joy and hugged each other while rolling over the last timing
mat of this year?s race. Unexpectedly, their handlebars caught each other
resulting in a crash in front of the astonished crowds. Sundstedt hurt her
shoulder when they fell on top of each other, but was back on her feet soon
enough to celebrate their victory.
Sydor and Sundstedt both commented that the 2008 Absa Cape Epic was a hard race
in a beautiful environment. ?I can truly say that the Absa Cape Epic is the
toughest sporting event I?ve ever done in my life. Everything about this race
is extraordinary ? the scenery, the organisation, the people. It is long ride,
but it is a great ride and I can?t imagine a more fantastic way to explore this
beautiful country,? says Sydor.
Doug Brown and Barti Bucher win Masters category
In the Masters category it was no surprise that the Absa Masters, Doug Brown
(RSA) and Barti Bucher (SUI), walked away as overall winners (40:22:38). But
today they completed their stage race in second place at 3:06:21. First to
cross the finish line of Stage 8 was Adidas William Simpson, Shan Wilson (RSA)
and Walter Platzgummer (IRE), with a time of 3:05:19. They ranked second
overall (40:39:07). Third overall was the Pragma Masters, M. C. Franken (RSA)
and Peter Buggle (ITA) (41:55:27), who came in fourth today (3:20:33).
Brown says that at the Absa Cape Epic you go through all the emotions a human
being can experience in a very short period of time. ?It?s an exceptional
challenge and in a few years time I won?t be able to believe that I?ve finished
it three times.? His riding partner Bucher added: ?I imagined the Absa Cape
Epic to be a scenic ride through some game reserves where I can see giraffes
and elephants. To be honest, during the first two stages I couldn?t see a thing
around me. All I saw was the route that went up and down and up and down. Big
lungs and good legs are not enough for this race. You have to be an all-rounder
who can cope with loose gravel, sand, steep climbs, single-track, wind and
endless flat stretches to win the Absa Cape Epic. Simply finishing it is a real
accomplishment.?
Ivonne Kraft and Nico Pfitzenmaier win Mixed category
Joybike-Maloja Express walked away with top honours in the Mixed category when
Ivonne Kraft (GER) and Nico Pfitzenmaier (GER) won their sixth stage with a
time of 3:17:07. They also won the Prologue. Their overall time was 43:31:32.
Second overall was Cyclelab Toyota, Johan Labuschagne (RSA) and Yoland
Date:
05/04/2008