Cape Epic Etappe #6: Trek world racing siegt vor Songo und Bulls 1

So sieht ein Held aus! Etappe 6 hat es in sich – Foto von Sven Martin / Sportzpics

Auf der heutigen Etappe von Worcester nach Oak Valley( 123km, 2240hm) ging der Tagessieg an Lukas & Mathias Flückiger von Trek World Racing Team. Mit drei Minuten Rückstand kamen das Team Songo und Bulls gleichzeitig ins Ziel. Platt und Sahm (Bulls 1) sind so immer noch im gelben Trikot mit knapp 7 Minuten Vorsprung vor dem Songo.info Team von Sauser und Stander.

Fotos:

Mathias Flückiger nach seinem Etappensieg – Foto von Greag Beadle / Sportzpics

Karl Platt und Stefan Sahm im Ziel von Etappe #6.

Foto von Greag Beadle / Sportzpics

Max Knox und Brandon Stewart – Foto von Greag Beadle / Sportzpics

Foto von Karin Schermbrucker/SPORTZPICS

Vollgas kurz nach dem Start – Foto von Sven Martin / Sportzpics

Der spätere Sieger auf Etappe 6 – Foto von Sven Martin / Sportzpics

Burry Stander gibt alles – Foto von Sven Martin / Sportzpics

Burry liest nochmal seine „Epic Strategy“ nach – Foto von Sven Martin – Sportzpics

Finisherbier: Burry Stander und Christoph Sauser nach Etappe #6 – Foto von Sven Martin/SPORTZPICS

Mathias Flückiger – Sieger von Etappe #6, nach der Siegerehrung – Foto: Sven Martin / Sportzpics

Bericht vom Team Bulls

Bereits kurz nach dem gestrigen Zeitfahren, bei dem Karl Platt uns Stefan Sahm mit starker Leistung die Führung vor dem Team MTN und Songo.info behauptet hatte, kam die erneute Kampfansage von Sauser und Stander. Man würde es den Bulls-Jungs auf der morgigen Etappe so schwer wie möglich machen, mit aller Kraft versuchen sie aus dem Trikot zu fahren, oder zumindest so viel Zeit wie möglich abzunehmen. Auch die sechste Etappe versprach also wieder einen nervenaufreibenden Verlauf zu nehmen.

Die längste Etappe des diesjährigen Cape Epic führte über 123km und 2240hm von Worcester nach Oak Valley. Die ersten 38km verliefen relativ flach und führte die Profis großteils über Straßen und gut rollende Jeep-Tracks. Bis Rennkilometer 90 folgte dann hügeliges Terrain, ehe nach dem letzten Verpflegungspunkt der Groenlandberg als Scharfrichter der Etappe anstand.

„Spätestens am Groenlandberg wird richtig die Post abgehen, Susi und Burry werden den Berg mit Sicherheit voll am Limit hochfahren und versuchen uns abzuhängen. Aus taktischer Sicht sind wir in einer guten Position, die Etappe ist sehr gut für unser Team geeignet. Im flachen und welligen Terrain wird wohl eine größere Gruppe zusammen bleiben und Tim & Tom können, wenn nötig, für uns Löcher schließen. Am Groenlandberg liegt es dann an uns, alles was wir tun müssen ist immer direkt bei Susi oder Burry am Rad zu fahren… obwohl sich das jetzt mit Sicherheit einfacher anhört als es im Rennen sein wird.“ so die Einschätzung von Karl Platt am Morgen vor dem Rennen.

Auf den ersten 38km wurden bereits mit sehr hohem Tempo gefahren. Die Profis benötigten bis zu diesem Punkt lediglich eine gute Stunde, eine große Gruppe mit vielen Teams blieb wie erwartete beisammen. In den ersten Hügeln wurde das Tempo dann erneut forciert, immer war es das Team Songo.info das die Pace erhöhte. Die Spitzengruppe wurde bald dezimiert, bis ca. km 60 nur noch sechs Teams in Front lagen. Platt und Sahm hielten sich aus der Führungsarbeit zurück, für die beiden gab es heute keinen Grund die Kraft im Wind zu vergeuden, zumal Dietsch und Böhme den beiden lange Zeit zur Seite standen.

Eingangs des Groenlandberges forcierte zuerst MTN das Tempo, aber bereits nach einem knappen Kilometer übernahm Karl Platt die Spitzenposition und kontrollierte die Gruppe. Wenig später attackierten die Flückiger-Brüder (Trek World Racing). Ihrem Tempo vermochte zu diesem Zeitpunkt niemand zu folgen. Durch die hohe Geschwindigkeit brach die Spitzengruppe auseinander. Trek World Cup setzte sich immer weiter ab, dahinter fuhren Songo.info und Bulls 1 Rad an Rad. Die anderen Teams verloren Meter um Meter. Immer wieder versuchten Sauser / Stander das Bulls-Duo Platt / Sahm abzuschütteln, was ihnen aber bis zur Paßhöhe nicht gelang. Auch in der folgenden langen Singletrail-Abfahrt behaupteten die Flückigers die Spitze, Bulls 1 und Songo.info rasten dahinter gemeinsam dem Ziel entgegen. An dieser Situation sollte sich bis zur Ziellinie in Oak Valley nichts mehr ändern. Trek World Cup gewann die Etappe, Songo.info und Bulls 1 überquerten gemeinsam die Ziellinie ohne um die Plätze zu sprinten. Karl Platt und Stefan Sahm hatten es erneut geschafft und das gelbe Führungstrikot gegen alle Angriffe der Konkurrenz verteidigt. Thomas Dietsch und Tim Böhme beendeten die sechste Etappe auf Rang sieben.

„Die Etappe ist exakt so verlaufen wie wir uns das heute morgen vorgestellt hatten. Wir sind sehr zufrieden und können zuversichtlich auf die beiden verbliebenen Tage schauen. Wir konnten zu jeder Zeit bei Susi und Burry mitgehen, das Trikot war heute nie in Gefahr. Die beiden kommenden Etappen werden aber sicher noch einmal schwer werden, das Cape Epic ist erst am Sonntag nach dem Zieleinlauf in Lourensford zu Ende. Es kann noch viel passieren und wir müssen weiterhin sehr wachsam sein.“ so die einhellige Aussage von Karl und Stefan nach dem Rennen.

Bericht des Veranstalters:

Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm defend their yellow jersey

Stage 6 took riders from Worcester to Oak Valley, a distance of 123km and 2 240m of climbing. After a neutral convoy out of Worcester, riders were soon hugging the shores of Brandvlei Dam. Then the ups and downs began; retracing some of the 2009 route in reverse. Climbs were short but some gradients reached up to 26%. A dead-straight chute took the field down to the canals, through the orchards, then into some singletrack and finally over the wall of the vast Theewaterskloof Dam. The race then took a short-cut through a hidden valley to Porcupine Hills before reaching the foot of another monument of the Absa Cape Epic, the Groenlandberg Cape Nature conservation area. Route designer “Dr Evil” found a new way for riders to conquer this beautiful beast. The first part followed a steep dirt road up to Water Point 3 and part two took riders into virgin Epic mountain biking territory and deep into nature, all the way to the Groenlandberg saddle. This offered views of the beautiful Elgin Valley, and the treat of the day was fast and smooth singletrack in Thandi and Oak Valley.

Flückiger brothers pedal to victory

The Flűckiger brothers’ team of Lukas (26) and Mathias (21) from Switzerland repeated last year’s final stage victory by winning stage 6 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic in 4:37.22,6. They were followed by the Swiss/South African duo of Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander (Songo-Specialized by DCM) in a time of 4:40.00,8 with the German Bulls Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm close on their heels in 4:40.00,9. In fourth place were Kevin Evans and Alban Lakata (Team MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon) in a time of 4:43.36,1.

Max Knox and Brandon Stewart of DCM Chrome finished in sixteenth place today (5:05.14,4), successfully defending their African Leader jersey for the third day in a row. They have moved to the eleventh place overall (24:03.02,8).

The Bulls Team successfully defended the Leader jersey with an overall time of 22:50.41,1. Songo-Specialized by DCM moved up one position overall to second place (22:57.37,1),while MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon have moved to third position overall (23:00.41,0).The Flückiger brothers of Trek World Racing is in fourth position overall (23:14.12,8). The brothers finished in eighth position overall last year, having improved by four places so far this year.

Lukas Flückiger of Trek World Racing comments that they rode with the other riders for most of the way. “Only when Songo-Specialized by DCM had a flat, we broke away – it was just before Groenlandberg. We took yesterday easy and planned it as a rest day. We knew today was going to be tough and this was obviously a good option as it worked for us.” Adds Mathias: “At the beginning of the stage my legs were bad, but I felt better later in the stage. The Bulls really pushed today and it was hard work to hang on to the lead. Our legs felt good near the finish and we’re very happy about the stage win. We also had no bad luck today. It’s important for us to win a stage at the Absa Cape Epic.”

Karl Platt of the overall leading Bulls Team says: “I really want to thank the organisers for the first 25km today. It was a really nice gift. It was easy going and the first time during this year’s event we could warm up a bit more – not like the other days where we had to go from the word go. From the MTN Hotspot, the race really started and everyone was going fast. Christoph and Burry worked hard today and we were riding together from the start of the Groenlandberg to the finish. They made up some time on the GC (general classification). It’s all okay – were really happy with where we are at the moment.” Adds Sahm: “It was a good day. I was a bit afraid of the long stage especially the ugly climb in the last part. But the spirits of Groenlandberg must love me because I felt great and although Burry and Christoph tried to lose us, we could stay at their back wheels all the way to the finish.”

Says Burry Stander (Songo-Specialized by DCM): “We had a flat and it took us about a minute to repair. It happened at a really crucial time on the fast gravel section. We worked hard to get to the start of the climb and spent some energy, so by the time we got to the Bulls, we gave them everything we had but couldn’t break away. Hopefully we can still push for the next two days to secure another stage win. We all know the Flückigers are very fast riders and knew they were going to be strong today. They attacked super hard.” Adds Sauser: “I had a flat about 4km before the real race started and we couldn’t catch up. We wasted lot of energy as it was really hard all the way to the top – digging, digging. The downhill was fast to the finish, but the Bulls were very strong too. I’m very happy with our second place overall – we moved up one position which is pretty cool.” Sauser also says that they are now so good at fixing technical problems on the route that it takes no longer than a toilet break. “We actually split up the tools, with Burry carrying tools we need for easy fixes, while I carry the other ones should we have more difficult challenges.”

Alban Lakata of Team MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon was not at his best today, “I felt very bad today. I thought I had good legs in the morning, but it was different after warming up. Maybe the third stage had broken me. It was such a difficult day with all the running and perhaps the chasing was too much for my body. I’m still trying to recover from that. My biggest problem at the moment is to stay with the leaders as long as possible, but I’ll try my best and work hard for a podium finish.”

Brandon Stewart of team DCM2 says that he was incredibly disappointed after reaching the MTN Hotspot first. “We were so motivated and really gave it our all to ensure we reached the point first, thinking that we would be winning three thousand Rand today. It was only after we reached the finish line that we heard that our reward was only a 30 second time bonus. Not what we had in mind at all,” he chuckled.

Rothaus-CUBE team is unstoppable in Ladies category

Kristine and Anna-Sofie Noergaard (team Rothaus-CUBE) won the Ladies for the fourth day in a row, finishing in a time of 5:41,41,7. They remain in first position overall (28:37.35,5). They were again followed by Hannele Steyn-Kotze and Ivonne Kraft (Team Sludge Ladies) in a time of 5:55.42,6, who are placed second overall (29:00.45,8). In third place were Giuliana Vitali and Tamara Horn (team bike2help.ch – Big Tree) with their fifth podium finish in this year’s race (6:29.21,8), placing them in third position overall (31:27.38,0).

Says Anna-Sofie Noergaard of team Rothaus-CUBE: “Today’s stage was fun. It was nice for us as we started very slow and had time to get warmed up. We stayed with Ivonne and Hannele for a long time, but broke away later in the race. We talk to each other a lot during the race. We cheer each other up, discuss how we’re feeling and really motivate each other. We’ll just keep going the way we have been for the next two stages as it seems to work for us. We’ve been feeling stronger every day, and slept well last night.” Adds her sister Kristine: “We’d really like to thank the people at the water points. They make things easy for us so that we can continue really fast. The mechanic will lube chains, while we get some drinks. Today’s stage wasn’t as steep or technical as I expected and I loved the vastness of the scenery.”

Says Ivonne Kraft of the Sludge Ladies: “It was a very nice stage for us. We rode with the Danish girls for a lot of the way, but on the downhills they’re just faster as a team. We can keep up with them on the uphills and flat sections. We also decided that it was more important to be safe than take any risks.” Adds Hannele Steyn-Kotze: “I think that Anna-Sofie and Kristine are stronger than me, maybe not than Ivonne. I try to keep a consistent pace and can ride for long, but not any faster. Yesterday was really nice to sleep a bit later – I really enjoyed it. I have great respect for other teams if they do better. I really try my best but definitely am slower on the downhill.”

MTN Business Qhubeka still dominate Mixed category

Yolande Speedy and Paul Cordes (MTN Business Qhubeka) finished in first place again today, in a time of 5:19.15,3 and remain the overall leaders in their category (26:13.08,6). Bärti Bucher and Esther Süss (Wheeler – BIXS) finished second in 5:27.07,4 and remain in second place overall (26:45.44,1). They were followed by Nico Pfitzenmaier and Sally Bigham of the Adidas Big Tree team in third place (5:41.32,5) and are placed third overall (27:18.40,9). MTN Business Qhubeka also scored phenomenally well today by placing 20th on the GC (General Classification), beating many of the top professional riders.

Yolande Speedy of MTN Business Qhubeka says: “We had a gap at the beginning of the race and pushed really hard. The long climb up Groenlandberg seemed as if it’s going to go on forever, but we rode as hard as we could till the end. We also managed to stretch our lead, which is good. Yesterday helped our legs recover and it was also great to have some cloud cover today.” Her team mate Paul Cordes adds: “We had no intention to open the gap today. We wanted to ride fast and because the race concertinaed a bit, we couldn’t always see the others. Esther and Bärti were riding really well today. We enjoyed the technical stuff and the last 15km suited us great. After yesterday’s short stage, we’re feeling a lot better today.”

Ester Süss of the Wheeler – BIXS team says: “I wasn’t feeling well and had some health problems last night. Today was really tough as it was a very long stage. My legs were good but I had no energy.” Adds her partner Bärti Bucher: “Today’s stage was a bit flat for us – I think for about 80km. We really like uphills and downhills, that’s why we love mountain biking. It was a lot of work for us to follow the Leader jersey. Fortunately we had no mechanical problems, and will take stage for stage until Sunday when we finish at Lourensford Wine Estate. “

Cyclelab ahead of the rest by more than one and a half hours

Cyclelab’s Shan Wilson and Andrew Mclean defended their Leader jersey for the fifth time by winning Stage 6 in 5:16.27,8. They remain in the overall lead in the Masters (25:55.12,2) by 1 hour and 36 minutes. They were followed by Corrie Muller and Robert Sim of the Big Tree Masters – their fourth podium finish in the year’s race (5:22.05,0). They have moved up one position to third place overall in this category (28:21.32,4). Adrian Enthoven and Gary Marescia (Cycle Lab Jag Foundation) finished third in 5:38.11,7 and maintain their second place overall (27:31.23,3). In fourth place were Pieter van Rooyen and Milan Spolc of Oleander (5:38.24,8) who are placed fifth overall (28:47.28,8). Geof Blance and Malcolm Mcleod of R & R Sport New Zealand finished fifth in 5:38.58,1 and have moved to fourth place overall (28:25.12,7).

Says Shan Wilson of Cyclelab: “It was a nice course, but very tough with lots of singletrack and also lots of sand – we can’t seem to get away from the sand this year. We decided to be consistent today and arrived at Oak Valley feeling well. My legs are still sore and I’m really looking forward to the finish line now. We’re very happy with our overall lead.” Adds Andrew Mclean: “I think the big mountain made everyone nervous. We have a good lead, so there’s no pressure and we rode at our own steady pace. We also didn’t have any mechanicals, the weather was nice and a lot cooler, but my legs are tired.”

Saddle sores a real pain in the butt

At this stage of the event, most of the riders are suffering from saddle sores, apart from dehydration and a vicious stomach bug that is fast-spreading amongst crew and riders. It is particularly bad this year due to the rough terrain. As this is not uncommon, the medical tents have a separate section specialising in treating this condition. Mark Fish of the Absa Laduuma! team says that he was relieved to see that even some of the top riders are suffering, while Andrew McLean from Cyclelab states: “It’s actually so funny to see everyone line up in the medical tent every morning, bend over, and receive this very necessary treatment.” Doctor Basil Bonner, the chief medical officer of the Medi-Clinic private hospital division of the Absa Cape Epic, says that they deal with an average of 50 cyclists per day who require treatment. “If saddle sores are not open, we dry it out and treat it with a cream to moisturise the affected area. However, if it is open, we clean the area and apply a protective dressing to prevent infection.”

Young soccer stars rewarded for their talents

Together with The Big Tree Foundation, adidas invited the ten best soccer players of each school on the Absa Cape Epic route this year (ages 12 and 13), to represent their school colours at the adidas Big Tree School Football Tournament at the finish line on the day the event arrives in town. To determine the best players, The Big Tree Foundation has encouraged the schools to organise a first round tournament on the school grounds. As a trophy of their achievement, the finalists in each town received an adidas Jabulani ball, a small replica of the official match ball for the FIFA 2010 World Cup, while the winning school will win a trophy made of the original Jabulani ball.

At the finish line of Stage 6, the two schools who competed were Glen Elgin and Maxsonia, who played with so much passion that they almost knocked out “the voice” of the Absa Cape Epic, Mike Hamel (better known as “Mike-Mike”). Says Hamel: “The players were fighting for the ball to the very last second of the match. They just wouldn’t let go and if they had the skills to play at the soccer World Cup, they would no doubt win as they have so much passion.” It was during one of the kicks that the soccer ball knocked Hamel over. Fortunately, he was back at commentating again a couple of minutes later. The Glen Elgin school team won today’s soccer match by 11:6. Both teams were asked to determine the best player of their respective teams, who each walked away with a fabulous prize – a Big Tree bicycle!

Rwanda athlete beats MTB icons in Stage 6

Apart from Kevin Evans and Alban Lakata of the MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon team the spotlight was on another MTN rider after today’s stage. 23-year-old Adrian Niyonshuti from Rwamagana (Rwanda), is part of the MTN Energade team who finished in 6th place today – 11,50 minutes behind the Flűckiger brothers and ahead of great athletes like Jose Hermida, Bart Brentjens and Emil Lindgren. This is an incredible achievement considering that the team also had three flats during the stage. Niyonshuti joined the MTN team in 2009. Prior to this, he competed in the Absa Cape Epic as Team Rwanda (from 2007 to 2008). He started competitive cycling at age 19 and turned a professional rider at 22. His biggest successes include a fifth position at the 2010 MTN Attakwas MTB UltraMarathon, a fourth position at the 2010 MTN Barbeton MTB UltraMarathon, third overall at the Tour of Rwanda in 2009, a bronze medal in 2009 at the African Continental Championships (Under 23 Time Trial) and competing in the Absa Cape Epic since 2007 (with two top 20 overall finishes on the GC). His role model is Lance Armstrong.

Woolies-to-go joins the Epic team

Woolies-to-go is the latest addition to the Absa Cape Epic team this year. Suresh Naidoo (52), a commercial manager in the hospitality division of Woolworths, leads the team of volunteers who ensure that cyclists and crew members can fill up on healthy fuel whenever the need arises.

In the Woolies-to-go area riders receive a recovery pack on completion of the race. The menu for the recovery pack is different each day, but all meals are packed with proteins and carbohydrates. There is also a snack in the recovery pack which may be dried fruit, nuts or even a delectable smoothie. At the watering points along the course of the race Woolworths provides small snacks for cyclists like muffins or jelly babies.

This is the first year Woolworths is involved with the Absa Cape Epic. “When we considered this venture we first had to look at the Epic and get a feel for the event, after which we aligned the brand values. Woolworths shares the same customer profile as the Epic, which makes for a good match. This is such a prestigious race, and we believe that adding Woolworths as the food supplier emphasises that fact. Even though we’ve only been here a few days we’ve received such positive feedback.”

Naidoo’s job in a nutshell is to manage the Woolworths services, ensure that food is of a high standard and uphold the brand values of his company.

“All the food we serve is nutritious and balanced as it is approved by our dieticians. We distribute meals to 1 200 cyclists and 220 volunteers per day, including meals for the media and crew.”

Naidoo has been employed at Woolworths for the last 14 years, mainly in the food division. “In terms of the Absa Cape Epic the marketing of the Woolworths brand is quirkier than in previous years when sponsoring other events.”

Naidoo is passionate about cycling. “I have completed the Cape Argus Cycling Tour eleven times. I must admit I was sceptical about mountain bike racing until I came to the Epic. Now I’m convinced I want to do it. What makes this race different from any other is that it is on an international level, attracting top athletes from around the world. It’s really putting Africa back on the map. It also has a high status drawing world class athletes to this country. These cyclists don’t do this race to practice, this is the challenge. And the win is honourable.”

Pro-tech Zone protects rider essentials

The pro-tech zone, located at all water points along the Absa Cape Epic mountain bike route, is providing this year’s cyclists with a safe and secure place to store their bike necessities.

Members of Pragma manage the pro-tech zones, ensuring that boxes are sealed before they are transported to the water points. Thomas Burge, an industrial engineer for Pragma explains: “Each van has three team leaders and three assistants. Together they ensure that boxes are correctly marked and sealed before taking it to the different water points. What goes into the boxes is completely up to the team. Some just have spare tyres, cable ties and lube while others have slime or bombs, which are high pressure canisters used to pump tyres up in a small amount of time. It really depends on the team.”

“We also prepare the pro-tech zones by placing riders’ boxes where they can have easy access to them, opening the boxes for the riders and placing tyres outside. Often a cyclist will ask you for something from the box and you have to hand it to them.”

This is the first Absa Cape Epic that the Pro-tech zone has provided their services at. “I enjoy working at the Epic because it’s so well organised. It’s a massive event to be part of,” Burge says. Burge is responsible for overseeing all activities in the Pro-tech zone, as well as negotiating brand exposure with brands they share space with and recommending improvements to Pragma.

“In my free time I enjoy local bike races in the Johannesburg area where I reside, but the cyclists in this race have a lot more courage to take on something this challenging.”

Burge also adds that he enjoys the company of mountain bike racers. “They are easier to work with because they are more relaxed and their lifestyles support a whole different biking culture.”

Absa Cape Epic lottery system provides a fair chance for all

The Absa Cape Epic lottery system is set to once again create excitement amongst cycling enthusiasts who want to challenge themselves in the biggest mountain bike stage race in the world.

The early bird entries for the 2011 race (whereby the first 100 entrants get to participate on a first come, first served basis) will take place on 29 March 2010 at 14:00, and if last year was anything to go by, will again only take 100 seconds to be fully subscribed.

The lottery opens on the same day (29 March), so those who do not succeed in the early bird entries, can apply straight away. The closing date for the lottery is 30 May 2010.