Hermida gives Multivan Merida final stage win

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The final day of a taxing 2010 Cape Epic saw riders cover 65km and 1640m of climbing, cycling from Oak Valley to their final destination at the Lourensford Wine Estate. As is tradition, the last stage was the shortest, but not easy. As riders approached vineyards, they knew it was all about short, sharp climbs before some longer and even steeper ones through Nuweberg, up to the superb vistas of Elgin/Grabouw.

In 2010, the Cape Epic took a new route into the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, on Buysepad, skirting Gantouw Pass. There was no portage this year, but route designer Dr Evil had something else in mind before riders headed down for a traditional finish. Hundreds of enthusiastic spectators welcomed the exhausted teams at the final finish line of this year's event.

Of the 1,172 riders who started their epic journey at Diemersfontein a week ago, 83.6% successfully completed their Cape Epic adventure by crossing the final finish line at the Lourensford Wine Estate. In the remaining 16.4% figure that is not classified as official finishers, the blue board riders are included. 445 teams were ranked on the GC, with both team riders awarded the medal as official Cape Epic finishers. 90 individual cyclists successfully completed the eight stages without their partners.

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German Bulls Platt and Sahm kings of this year’s Cape Epic

The Bulls Team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm walked away with top honours as overall winners of this year's Cape Epic. With a 10 minute and 51 second lead time on Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander (Songo-Specialized by DCM) at the start this morning, the Bulls finished the last eight days of the "Magical and Untamed Mountain Bike Race" of 722km in an overall time of 29 hours, 47 minutes and 46 seconds. South African Stander and his Swiss teammate Sauser finished second overall in 29:57.50, and the South African/Austrian duo of Kevin Evans and Alban Lakata (MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon) finished third overall in 30:12.30.

The Bulls Team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm also won the Cape Epic in 2007 and 2009, and Karl Platt won in the inaugural year (2004) with Mannie Heymans from Namibia. He is the most successful participant in the history of the race having won four times and placed on the podium six times.

Max Knox and Brandon Stewart of DCM Chrome walked away with the Leaders' Jerseys of Best African Team in 31:45.08.

Multivan Merida’s José Hermida and Rudi van Houts were first to cross the finish line in the final stage of this year's Cape Epic in a time of 2:40.32. This was their second consecutive podium finish and they ranked sixth overall (30:44.57). They were followed by Rabobank Giant Off Road team Emil Lindgren and Fabian Giger, also with their second podium finish in this year’s race (2:42.18). Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander of Songo-Specialized by DCM were third in 2:44.13 with the Bulls Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm in fourth place (2:45.00). Kevin Evans and Alban Lakata (MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon) finished fifth in 2:50.18.

"It's an incredible feeling – words can't describe it," said Sahm. "It means so much to Karl and I. We arrived at the race as the defending champions and we successfully guarded our title. I had problems with my chain today and had to change it. It was nerve-wrecking. We enjoyed every second and every meter of the last few kilometers, and who knows, maybe we can do it again next year."

Sahm and Platt host a party at the end of the Cape Epic, which has become known as Stage 9. "Stage 9 is always the most fun for everyone. It's the party stage after a very hard race. Here we also need to defend our titles of the last men standing," he said, adding with a chuckle, "we can ride and party hard. Vincent, Karl and I have also started a company in South Africa called Stage 9 to bring Bulls bikes to the people."

"To win the Cape Epic again - now for the fourth time - is absolutely unbelievable," said Platt. "It means so much to me, especially this year with the most competitive field ever. When people see our playful nature they tend to forget that we also get very nervous and are under pressure during the race; not only for our own sake, but for all the people that stand behind us and cross their fingers that we come out tops. So when we crossed that final finish line it was a huge relief, but most of all an euphoric joy."

Burry Stander and his partner Christoph Sauser of Songo-Specialized by DCM secured three stage wins during this year's race. "We're very happy to finish second in this year's race, but we still want to win," said Stander. "Everything has to get together all eight days of the race, and it didn't always work out for us. I'm really looking forward to a week's rest and then to the rest of the season. This is excellent preparation for the World Cups. It gives you such depth – all riders suffer at some point – and in every race you suffer."

"This Cape Epic was really a big rollercoaster ride for us," said Stander's teammate Sauser. "The first two stages were tough and at one point we weren't sure we'd be able to continue, then we were on a high, then I had a stomach bug and so on. At the beginning of today's race I struggled a bit, but then my legs came back and I felt stronger. I'll now rest for a week and then start with some short interval training. I'm looking forward to the season as we rode with some of the strongest riders in the world at this year’s event." Will he be joining the Bulls at Stage 9? "Yes, of course – it'll be really nice to get together and nobody needs to think about tomorrow."

It was a difficult race for Alban Lakata of the MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon team. "We had two serious problems during this year's race. First I broke my wheel and had to run 2km and then my health wasn't all that great. I'll have to prepare better for next year's race – the last three stages were very tough for me. We had two stage wins and finished in third place overall, so that was fantastic. My goal was to finish on the podium, but now I'm really feeling tired. I'm looking forward to next year's race and also to two weeks' recovery. This was excellent preparation for the World Cups and I think we're in very good shape at the moment."

For Kevin Evans this was a wonderful experience. "All things considered I think it's fantastic to be in third place overall. I take my hat off to Alban for the way he suffered to keep the third place. I'd also like to thank our excellent crew and support teams. Without the mechanics who sometimes worked through the night and our managers this would not have been possible. Nobody sees them but they play such a crucial part – a big thanks to them. And I'm really happy it's over."

José Hermida and Rudi van Houts of Multivan Merida secured their first stage win in this year’s race. "We won the final stage and finally got our victory on the last day," said Hermida. "It’s a celebration of a big fight over the last few days, especially for us. It was very special to win the final stage at Lourensford Wine Estate. It's part of my philosophy to attack and both Rudi and I had good legs today – we attacked again and finally made it!"

Emil Lindgren of the Rabobank Giant Off Road team broke his chain today. "I rode with a broken chain for most of the way. I had to run back 50m to get it, repaired it as fast as I could, and then we put the hammer down. I felt amazing, and so did Fabian. This is the best stage to get a place on the podium. We'll definitely be back next year!"

"This was awesome preparation for the upcoming season," said Giger. "We had eight days of suffering and now need to go home to recover, but will definitely be back!"

Lukas Flückiger of Trek World Racing says his legs were not great for the first 10km. "I struggled a bit on the first long climb and also broke my derailleur again on the downhill. I’m tired but very happy that the race is over. Perhaps next year we'll be back for a place on the podium."

Bart Brentjens of Trek Brentjens, who has been riding with bruised ribs, said, "It wasn't all that bad. You don't really feel the pain when you're racing – it's much worse at night and before the race in the morning. We could ride at our own speed. We knew it would be hard to finish and I'm really happy that we did. I think next year I'll be riding with someone else from my team. Jelmer is too strong for me and should ride with someone better next year. We'll have one team for victory and one for technical support. This is the most important race of the year and we'll be back again – you just need to plan ahead."

Danish sisters finish as top women's team

The Danish sisters Kristine and Anna-Sofie Noergaard (team Rothaus-CUBE) finished in 37:31.03 and won their category, having also taken top honours in five of the eight stages in this year's race. Hannele Steyn-Kotze and Ivonne Kraft (Team Sludge Ladies) finished second overall in a time of 38:01.16 and Giuliana Vitali and Tamara Horn (team bike2help.ch – Big Tree) finished third overall in 41:10.44.

"It was great to win. Today we rode carefully and safely as we didn't want to take any chances. The other ladies really fought for a stage win and deserved it," said Anna-Sofie Noergaard of team Rothaus-CUBE. "Now I can't wait to join my family and see my son again. It's been a long week away from them, but I enjoyed the race very much."

"It feels fantastic to finish the race and also to have won," said Kristine. "South Africa and its people have been fantastic. The course this year was great – still tough but not as bad as we expected. Tonight we really want to celebrate and hope we still have some energy to do so."

"This is my hometown and it was really nice to finish first," said Hannele Steyn-Kotze of the Sludge Ladies. "We knew it would take a lot but I so wanted to thank my family and friends for their support by winning this stage. Today I rode with my heart. This was my seventh Cape Epic, but next time I'll be doing it just for fun, and without the pain."

"It's great to be finished. We're very happy," said Ivonne Kraft. " It was a fair race against the Danish sisters and we won. It's great to know we're done and that we've finished together. This was my fourth Cape Epic and from experience I know that if you're still friends with your partner, you've done well."

MTN Business Qhubeka receive top honours in mixed category

Yolande Speedy and Paul Cordes (MTN Business Qhubeka) won their category in an overall time of 34:29.32, having also won five of the eight stages in this year's race. They were followed by Bärti Bucher and Esther Süss (Wheeler – BIXS) in 35:17.01 with Nico Pfitzenmaier and Sally Bigham of the Adidas Big Tree team finishing in third place overall (35:51.45).

Yolande Speedy of MTN Business Qhubeka said, "This is the first time that I've won the final stage and it's fantastic winning overall. I had goose bumps coming in – it was great to see the crowds and get their support. Today was a hard day. Nico and Sally were riding really well and it was only at the portage section that we caught them. I can't wait to get some resting off the bike and look forward to the celebrations tonight."

Her teammate Paul Cordes added, “It was a good feeling to win in our category and so great to finish such a hard event. It was nice with the tents, crowds and Mike Mike (the Cape Epic's voice at the start and finish Mike Hamel) at the finish line and a really good week for MTN Qhubeka with Kevin also finishing in third place."

Ester Süss of the Wheeler – BIXS team said, "It was a long eight days and I was very happy to cross the finish line in one piece. I need to improve some of my riding skills and hopefully I can work on it this summer and be better next year."

"Hopefully we’ll be back next year," said Bärti Bucher.

Cyclelab tops masters category

Cyclelab's Shan Wilson and Andrew Mclean won the masters category in this year's Cape Epic in a time of 33:49.55. They were followed by Adrian Enthoven and Gary Marescia (Cycle Lab Jag Foundation) in 35:52.46 with Corrie Muller and Robert Sim of the Big Tree Masters (36:23.29) in third place overall.

Shan Wilson of Cyclelab said, "This was my third attempt at the masters and I suppose it's third time lucky. For the last two years, I finished in second place, and I'm very happy with the first place this year. My legs are sore today, but it was so nice to finish at Lourensford with the crowds and activity here."

And the winner is… saddle sores

According to Doctor Basil Bonner, the chief medical officer of the Medi Clinic private hospital division of the Cape Epic, the most common injuries or conditions that needed medical care during this year’s "Magical and Untamed African MTB Race" included dehydration (62 patients), saddle sores (300 patients) and strappings (145 patients). Twelve riders incurred fractures during the event. Dr Bonner and his team saw 1,030 patients during this year’s race, with an average of 171 per day (excluding minor injuries).

Video from stage seven is provided by www.rsaweb.co.za.

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