Epic racing continues in South Africa

The elite men have been waging a heated battle at the fourth annual edition of the Cape Epic stage race in South Africa this week. The team leader jerseys are getting passed around like hot potatoes, and two stages still remain in the eight-day, 886km event.

Currently, Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang (Cannondale-Vredestein 1) hold the overall lead after they claimed victory in Stage 6. But their lead is tenuous. They have only 11 seconds up on former GC leaders Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm (Team Bulls) - even after 25+ hours of racing.

On the women's side, leaders Anke Erlank and Yolande De Villiers have been giving many of the men's and mixed teams a run for their money. They extended their lead again in Stage 6 to a seemingly insurmountable gap of 3 hours and 20 minutes. Myriam Saugy and Fabienne Heinzmann (Texner BMC Thoemus) bring up second, over 25 minutes ahead of third placed Kerstin Brachtendorf and Daniele Troesch (ADIDAS FIAT Rotwild).

To follow Cyclingnews' complete coverage of the Cape Epic race, including daily results, reports, and photos, click here.