Sauser and Stander continue Cape Epic dominance

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The unbeatable South African-Swiss duo of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (Team 36One-Songo-Specialized) won yet another stage on Friday, in a time of 5:06:45. It was their fifth stage win out of six possible thus far in this year's race. They took it by one second over the Bulls team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme.

"Today was very challenging. The rain stopped and then it started again. It's never ever been this wet at the Cape Epic before," said Sauser. "The backmarkers are going to struggle a lot in these conditions. We rode for the stage win today and extra time in the GC is a bonus. Tomorrow is going to be very daunting with the climbs and the conditions."

Stander said, I prefer the heat! I took my rain jacket off with 35km to go when the sun came out. Big mistake! Soon I got so cold and was struggling. When Christoph upped the pace, I wasn't too impressed and had some choice words for him in my mind! I was starting to feel better though and only the Bulls stayed with us. It was nice to ride with them because they pushed us."

Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler (Multivan Merida Biking) were third again today (in a time of 5:07:49). Alban Lakata and Robert Mennen (Topeak Ergon Racing) finished fourth with South Africa's 360Life team of Kevin Evans and David George in fifth place.

Stander and Sauser remain in the lead in this category by 26 minutes and 32 seconds. Genze and Kugler moved up one position to second place overall, with the Dietsch and Boehme in third place, 1:35 behind them. Lakata and Mennen are now placed fourth overall, with Evans and George in fifth place overall.

A disappointed Evans explained what happened along the route. "I cut my back tyre between water points 2 and 3. After we fixed it, I really struggled to find my rhythm again. We're very disappointed to again have had bike trouble. As if it's not hard enough already, we're making life more difficult for ourselves. It was one of the worst days on a bike and I've had a few in my career!"

For the third day in a row, the African leader jersey was won by Evans and George of 360Life.

Siphosenkosi Madolo and Azukile Simayile of Exxaro Academy 9 are still the leaders in race for the Development jersey.

Adrian Niyontshuti is now riding as an "outcast" after his partner Jacques Janse van Rensburg withdrew yesterday due to a bad fall and illness.

Women's category

Karien van Jaarsveld and Jane Nüssli (MTN Qhubeka) won the women's category in a time of 6:15:11, ahead of Biogen Britehouse team Theresa Ralph and Nina Gässler in a time of 6:40:52. Sally Bigham and Esther Süss of Wheels4Life finished in third place today in a time of 6:43:10.

Bigham and Süss still lead the Biogen Britehouse team Theresa Ralph and Nina Gässler by 38 minutes and 49 seconds. Van Jaarsveld and Nüssli remain in third place overall.

"Today was nice after yesterday's very low point. It all came together for us," said Van Jaarsveld. "I think we just made our GC place safer today. We won't stop racing until the Lourensford Wine Estate. The last few kilometres were so cold because of all the downhills. I got hungry!"

Her teammate Nüssli was equally delighted. "Winning the stage was perfect. It all worked out great because this is my kind of weather. We'll just keep on racing, whatever the outcome."

Mixed category

Consolidating their overall lead, the Contego 28E team of Erik and Ariane Kleinhans won the mixed category for the fifth day in a row in 6:19:16. They were followed by Udo Boelts and Milena Landtwing of Centurion Vaude in a time of 6:22:23, followed by second-time podium finishers Klaas Vanmoortel and Inne Gantois of BAiK-Peak Performance Brugge in 6:38:57.

"Today was a nightmare," said Erik Kleinhans. "It was so cold, I gave my jacket to Ariane because she was really hurting. It got worse when Ariane cut her tyre. It was a hard stage, but we won in our category and our lead is still safe. So we're satisfied."

Ariane said, "I really struggled in the cold today. My hands became numb and I couldn't get food out of my pockets or anything. I was hurting a lot as well. But the cold was the worst part."

The Kleinhans lead Boelts and Landtwing of Centurion Vaude by 1:43:49. Klaas Vanmoortel and Inne Gantois of BAiK-Peak Performance Brugge have moved into third place overall.

Master's category

Securing their first stage win, Bart Brentjens and Jan Weevers of World Bicycle Relief finished in 5:24:37. They were followed by the Jag Craft team of Adrian Enthoven and Delaney Impey in 6:15:25. Dirk Rossignol and Ignace Spruyt of Rossi Spruyt finished in third place in a time of 6:22:31.

Nico Pfitzenmaier and Robert Sim (Robert Daniel Momsen) finished in sixth place today after Pfitzenmaier had a bad fall. Their time was 6:36:53.

Brentjens and Weevers now lead the masters category by 18:01. Sim and Pfitzenmaier are in second place overall, followed by Enthoven and Impey in third place.

Pfitzenmaier and Sim looked shattered when they crossed the finish line. Pfitzenmaier crashed really badly and gashed his knee and shin. He had medical treatment for more than 20 minutes.

"Nico fell on a really big rock," said Sim. "At the moment it happened, he said that it was over, but he got back on his bike and we finished. I don't know if he’s going to be riding tomorrow. He is a tough guy, but that fall was scary."

Stage 5 course

Stage 5 took riders from Caledon to Oak Valley in Elgin, a distance of 119km, with 2350m of climbing. Dr. Evil had one aim on stage 5 - to get riders to that farmed Oak Valley singletrack as soon as possible. So it was a fast, flowing start, before heading to the fynbos-lined mountain tracks. As they edged closer to Elgin/Grabouw, riders' morale was buoyed by the striking views from the Highlands Plateau onto the Botrivier Lagoon and Kleinmond beach. A steady 10-kilomtre climb took them through the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, famous for its biodiversity and rare fynbos. Then, it was a combination of new and old flowing singletrack through Lebanon, Thandi and Oak Valley on some unforgettable loops in apple country. The last few steep singletrack climbs threw some devastating combination punches to the legs in the final push towards the lush fields of the race village in Oak Valley.

Stage 6: Oak Valley - Elgin, 85km (2200m of climbing)

Riders should not be fooled by the distance of the stage. It is a hard day of climbing and Nuweberg is the first big challenge with the dangling carrot of stunning vistas at the top. On the penultimate day, nearing the climax of race week, the grand old lady Groenlandberg will appear. Deep into this highly unique and remote landscape, riders will savour the solitude of the 30-kilometre of dual tracks through this pristine Cape Nature reserve as they tackle her in two parts. The first steady rise will bring them to a rutted descent. From here the path will contour along the side of this beautiful mountain, then it is the final ascent towards the saddle, followed by yet another tricky, washed-out descent. Again, riders will get to enjoy the twisting singletrack on Paul Cluver before finishing off with fast and flat singletrack on Oak Valley.

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