Update after ABSA Cape Epic Stage 1 around Meerendal
Stage 1 is always a tough nut to crack and a rude introduction of what is to follow during the rest of the week. And today was no exception, as the ABSA Cape Epic Stage 1 around Meerendal proved to be a full value for money stage. It was hot and windy and dusty and when I went to the airport in the afternoon I thought about the conditions that the riders must be facing on the slopes of the hills around Meerendal. This is what happened below and how the riders we are watching did:
Nino Shurter
Team #2 Scott-SRAM MTB racing – UCI Men Nino Schurter & Fillipo Colombo. The SWISS team finished the dailyin yellow, improving 1 spot from second on the prologue to the #1 top spot in the podium and ending the day in the yellow jersey.
Lucas & Georg
Team #15 ORBEA-Leatt Speed Company Racing – UCI Men Lucas Baum & Georg Egger. The legendary German team, finished on the 3rd step of the podium after Stage 1 and that also made them jump from 6th till 3rd overall in the general classification.
Matt Beers
Team #1 Outride-Toyota-Songo – UCI Men Matt Beers & Keegan Swenson. Local steam train Matt Beers, finished just under 4hrs for Stage 1 and improved 1 position from 9th to 8th spot on the GC after ABSA Cape Epic Stage 1 around Meerendal.
Karl
Team #409 BULLS Masters Legends – Master Men Karl Platt & Calle Friberg. Mr EPIC himself, Carl Platt, had a consistent team performance yet again as they continue in top spot in their category, ie 1st in the prolgue, and 1st after stage 1, to stay 1st in the GC Master Men.
Chris
Team #712 Carol Boyes – Grand Masters Men Christiaan van Zyl & Sean Viljoen. Mates Chris and Sean, had a solid stage 1 with lots of climbing in the second half of the day and they jumped 6 spots in their category during ABSA Cape Epic Stage 1 around Meerendal. Go boys, Carrol Boyes.
Jen
Team #890 Joy Ride (Frikkadel!) – Mixed team Jennifer Burtner & Luke Brechwald. Claiming another Bolandcycletour and Tourdeboland rider Jen, yesterday was along day our for the team as they dipped a few spots from 18 to 33 in the cat, but are sure to recover quickly on the shorter days with punchier climbs. Let’s go!
Jacques
Team #448 Fishing buddies – Masters Men Jacques van Deventer and Riaan Schneider. Jacques from Struis, and Riaan’s team aptly named fishing buddies, had a tough day on the bike with Riaan’s shoulder ligaments and we are holding thumbs once more that he gets through another day. Improved 1 spot to 128th in the cat.
Mark
Team #597 Valor Sentinals – Great Grand Masters Mean Mark Oliver & Eugene Beck. Do yourself a favour and follow Mark’s progress online. Also in one of the untold stories of the ABSA Cape EPIC. And Mark’s update after Stage 1 rang true about the conditions and the race itself. This is untamed Africa. And they moved from 16th to 15th in the cat.
Michael
Team #747 ABSA RYC – Grand Masters Men Michael Meyer & Hans van der Veen. Michael from W2W Wines to Whales and Stillwater Sports fame, had a big jump from 108th position on their category up to 83rd spot and we are keen to see how they do next. Keep on rolling.
Tomorrow’s stage 2 is a transition from Meerendal in Durbanville to Fairview in Paarl for the first time. And some of the teams will have psychological home ground advantage. Yet the heat of the Paarl Rock equally measures all.
