Overall leaders Sauser and Stander win another stage

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Christoph Sauser and his Burry Stander (36ONE Songo Specialized) won another stage at the Cape Epic, continuing their overall dominance as race leaders. In the women's race, Attix5 Ladies, Hannele Steyn and Leana de Jager won the stage while Sally Bigham and Karien Van Jaarsveld (team USN) continued as leaders despite a mechanical.

It was a classic Cape Epic day out, the longest stage in years. With fast open roads, marked by three obstacles along the way, riders were advised to save their strength and cooperate with other teams to form larger groups, to take turns at the front to lighten the load.

The first climb of the day was a shock to the system, not only from the gradient but also the track's surface. In parts, the climb was barely rideable, and only the fittest and best bike handlers were likely to make it up without dabbing a foot. As with everything, what goes up must come down, and those with full suspension bikes were grateful for their weapon of choice. More open roads helped get some kilometres under the belt before the radio mast came into view. Down the other side of this deceptive climb was a fast chute into farmlands and waiting for riders was a set of rolling hills that deadened the legs of even the most hardened campaigner.

At the 100km mark, riders reached the foot of the exquisite Groenlandberg, the grand old legend inviting them back in 2011 thanks to Cape Nature Conservation. The 15 percent gradient on the concrete path should be ridden conservatively, while the remainder of the climb took most riders well over an hour to complete. The north-facing slope made for a challenging ascent but the rocky downhill sections lead to the famed Oak Valley single-track to make it all worth it.

Men's category

Switzerland's Christoph Sauser and his South African teammate Burry Stander (36ONE Songo Specialized) have been dominating this year's Absa Cape Epic by securing their fifth stage win in stage 5 in 5:19.31. They were followed by the Flückiger brothers, Lukas and Mathias, of Trek World Racing in 5:19.4 with the Multivan Merida team, Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss, in third place (5;19.51).

Sauser and Stander now lead overall by eight minutes and eight seconds with an overall time of 21:03.46. \Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss of Multivan Merida Biking are now in second place in 21:11,54, followed by the Bulls team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm in 21:19.04. The Versluys-Evenza team of Nicolas Vermeulen and Kevin van Hoovels is fourth (21:39.23). They have moved up from fifth place overall yesterday. Andreas Kugler and Markus Kaufmann of the Multivan Merida Biking 2 team are now in fifth position overall (21:54.36).

The difference in time between the leaders and last year's winners Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm is 15 minutes and 18 seconds.

"Today was a long stage, but for most of the way we could take it easy. The first 100km we rode in a big group into Groenlandberg with both Multivan Merida and Trek World Racing riding with us," said Stander.

"We broke away in the last 2.5 km. Every day we get closer to the finish. We still have a long day tomorrow and the next day is the final stage. If we can finish tomorrow without any mechanicals and with our lead intact, we have a good chance of winning. But as always we'll wait for the finish line to be sure. We've lost this race too many times to take it for granted."

"The Milka-Trek 2 team of Pietersma and Vastaranta were in front for most of the day, but we knew we'd say hello to them again," said Sauser. "It was just a matter of time until we caught up with them. We pretty much know tomorrow's route and feel quite confident. Our legs are good, but something could still happen - this is the Cape Epic."

"It's nice to be on the podium today," said Mathias Flückiger. "The last 15km was a bit of a tactic race today. I felt really good today, but Lukas wasn't feeling as strong. It was our goal to win and we tried to follow Burry and Susi (Sauser). We were five seconds behind them for most of the race, but in the end they were too strong."

Genze said that the Bulls team tried to get them into a defensive position. "But we managed to hold onto second place and stay in front. We were more careful on the downhills than the Songo team as we didn't want to get a flat."

Böhme's Team Bulls finished fourth place today. "Stefan was struggling today and we tried to help him. It was a tough race and Thomas and I were in good shape. We had no mechanicals, but it was still a long and tough stage. The competition is extremely tough this year and if you even lose 2 percent of your power, as is the case with Stefan, it's going to be hard."

"My teammates were really working for me today. They put in so much effort to bring me back and keep me protected from the wind. They were just amazing - a big, big thanks to them, because without them I don't know how I would've finished this stage," said Sahm. "I'm not sure what's wrong with me and will have blood tests back home. I'll fight to the bitter end and give it my best. I'm definitely not in the same shape as previous years. I don't know why and will need to finish and then see - all I do know is that man is not machine."

His teammate Platt says they will continue to fight for second or third place. "This year is pretty easy for me and I'm in very good shape. I have the energy to ride with the leaders and feel that I'm getting stronger. I feel sorry for Stefan because we're squeezing him like an orange every day. It must be very tough for him as he feels he is the weakest link. But it's not like that - Stefan is my brother and we go through this together. We're a team."

Belgian champion Nicolas Vermeulen (team Versluys-Evenza) is happy with his team's performance. "The first 90km was not so fast for us, but we tried to follow Sauser and Stander. We knew at the longest climb they would break away. We also had a flat. But we're very happy - we moved up one place in the overall ranking to number four."

Jelmer Pietersma and Jukka Vastaranta of the Milka-Trek2 team broke away at the beginning of the race. "My partner was feeling better today and we decided last night that it would be a nice challenge to break away from the beginning," said Pietersma. "We had lots of wind and were ahead of the group for about 105km. They passed us in the climb. It was worth a try and fun to give it a go."

"I've been having problems with my back but I feel like a new man," said Vastaranta. "I only discovered on the Cape Epic that the reason for my problem is that my posture created a difference of 2cm in my legs and yesterday the chiropractor of adidas fixed it. I could finally race with the top guys today. Two days ago, I was riding at the back like a granny. Today we tried to break away. It was very windy and maybe nobody else wanted to do the work. On the long climb the best riders passed us and in the end we finished with the rest of the group."

The race claimed another victim today. Konny Looser of Switzerland's Stöckli Pro team crashed on a downhill, hurt his shoulder and what is even worse, broke his frame. The two Swiss, who were in fourth position overall, are devastated.

"We were in fourth place and on top of last climb I crashed into a ditch," said Looser. "My bike was broken and I couldn't ride anymore. The last 20km I could ride at 10km per hour, so I walked a lot as well. We wanted to make it to the finish. Tomorrow, if my shoulder and head is okay, we want to perhaps go for a podium finish again. We definitely want to finish the race."

African leaders' jerseys

Mannie Heymans and Adrien Niyonshuti (team Garmin adidas MTN) maintain their lead in the African Jersey competition with an overall time of 22;21.04, followed by Brandon Stewart and Shan Wilson (Toyota DCM) in 23:09.60. They have moved up to second position overall. Paul Cordes and Charles Keey (MTN/Qhubeka) are now in third position in 23:29.04. Heymans and Niyonshuti are in ninth position overall, steadily moving up one position with each stage for the last two days.

"Today was much better than yesterday - at least we had some mountain biking again," said Heymans. "The wind played a major role and I feel sorry for the back markers. All in all, we managed to keep everything together and our main objective for the next two days is to hang onto the African leaders' jerseys. We're confident we can do that unless something hectic happens. Let's hold thumbs for the next two days."

Women's category

The Attix5 Ladies, Hannele Steyn and Leana de Jager won today's stage in a time of 6:28.32 (third overall; 30:08.51). They were followed by Sally Bigham and Karien Van Jaarsveld (team USN) in a time of 6:31.29 (first overall 27:33.48), with Australians Niki Fisher and Jenni King in third place in 6:42.15 (overall 30:35.06). Hanlie Booyens and Ischen Stopforth of team Absa aBreast again finished in fourth (6:45.18; second overall 28:13.20). Bigham and Van Jaarsveld lead by 40 minutes and 28 seconds.

Steyn of the Attix5 Ladies team has national colours in five different sports. "I'm in really good shape for this Absa Cape Epic, but my partner had a very bad fall just before the race started. We decided to still participate and she mentioned this morning that she was feeling great for the first time this week. It's an amazing feeling to get a stage win and a huge incentive.

"I'm a seven-time finisher and Amabubesi member. I've been involved in this race since its inception and it's an honour and blessing to be here. I know the whole history of the Cape Epic and also have my own little history. I think I'll finish 10 Cape Epics and then write a book about it. I'm very happy to be on my bike and for me this year is one of the best courses. Each day has its own surprises."

Her partner, De Jager, said, "I had a big crash just before the race and considered not participating any more. But I really wanted to do it. I felt weak the whole week and only today started feeling normal again. We had an incredible ride. Hannele has lots of experience and taught me everything I know, also about race nutrition with which I sometimes struggle. I respect her very much. This is an awesome event and definitely one you should participate in every year."

Van Jaarsveld said she is having fun. "This field is very competitive this year and we'd definitely like another stage win. It was good to see the other ladies going for it. We didn't want to lose the war fighting the small battles, so we let them go. We're digging deep to stay strong."

"Karien had a mechanical today. I'm quite superstitious and didn't want to tempt fate," said overall leader Bigham. "We need to stay focused and not make mistakes. I'm really happy the other girls won as it's nice for them. It also shows our category is very competitive. Karien is a great partner and even taught me a thing or two about road racing on the flats today as this is her background."

Australians Niki Fisher and Jenni King finished in third place. "I was feeling great today, but Niki was riding well and I just tried to hang with her," said King. "We actually had a few crazy days, which was probably an advantage to finally have a good day. We decided to give it a go as some of the girls were getting tired. We're definitely looking forward to finish. This is the hardest thing I've ever done, but the organisation of the race is amazing. There's nothing like this in Australia."

Mixed category

The Wheeler - BIXS team, Bärti Bucher and Esther S?ss won the Mixed category for the sixth day in a row in 5:59.12 (overall 24:51.60). They were again followed by Erik Kleinhans and Ariane Lüthi (of Contego Giant Sludge) in 6:05.33 (overall 25:40.52). Ivonne Kraft and Peter Vesel of Raedisch Race achieved their second podium finish in third place in 6:18.33 and are also placed third overall (27:34.35). The Wheeler - Bixs team lead this category by 48 minutes and 52 seconds.

"I had a fantastic ride today. We road in a group and the last 50km was hard, especially the last up- and downhills. I'm happy to be here," said Bucher.

"Today we road at a very high pace for the first 100km. We tried to stay with the group but on the last uphill I became very tired, so we rode at our own pace to get to the finish," said Süss. "We hope to stay in the lead and win the next two stages. I always enjoy the last stage to Lourensford."

Kleinhans said his team was riding as hard as they could. "We got into nice rhythm. I'm wary of tomorrow's stage. I've ridden in this area a lot and it's going to be tough."

"I had to find a new fork and Yolande Speedy helped me with that," said Kraft. "It was really nice of her and it made such a difference. My body is still wasted and today was a very long stage. We definitely can't win anymore, so perhaps we'll go for a stage win on the final day. Yesterday was the first stage with a bike that's okay. Peter's helping me so much. He is very strong and I'm so grateful for that."

Master's category

Robert Sim and Doug Brown of the Robert Daniel team won stage 5 in 5:40.42 (overall 23:50.49), followed by the Juwi team (Carsten Bresser and Udo Boelts) in 5:40.43 (overall 23:04.31). The Nandos team of Adrian Enthoven and Gerrie Beukes was third in a time of 5:53.00 (overall 24:27.53). Sim and Brown are still in second place overall in this category and the Juwi team lead by 46 minutes and 18 seconds.

"It was a privilege riding with Carsten and Udo today. They were taking it a bit easy," sais Brown. "I didn't participate last year and the Cape Epic is definitely getting faster and the depth of field is much better. When you climb a hill, there are always 10 guys with you so it's hard to get away. As an amateur rider it's incredible to race side by side with Udo who finished 9th in the Tour de France. I watched these guys on television. It really does give you extra energy."

"Robert is a very talented athlete. He's only been riding for a short period so obviously has the right genetics. He's going to be a name to watch in the Masters."

"It's a privilege to ride with Doug," said Sim. "He has a cupboard full of blue jerseys. We rode with the Juwi team for 80km and we're lucky they weren't competing hard for the win today. What an unbelievable privilege! I started riding three and a half years ago and to be riding with people of this calibre at the age of 45, is truly amazing."

Stage 6: Oak Valley to Oak Valley (128km; 2700m of climbing)

In the penultimate stage, competitors will be wary - the route profile and the total ascent tells how they will be tested right to the end of the week on this brutal Oak Valley loop. Again they head over Groenlandberg for the second time in two days, this time following the 2010 route in reverse.

After crossing the R43 comes the tough sandy climb, nicknamed The Beeatch. A short section on Highlands Road will be a relief before more loose and partially sand climbing - which will be rewarded with a dramatic view over the Indian Ocean, the Bot River mouth and Kleinmond. One last climb leads them through another Cape Nature area featuring some rare fynbos. Shortly after riders get to enjoy the flowing single tracks of Lebanon, before they dip under the N2 for more fun singletrack through Thandi and back home to Oak Valley - a great way to finish a strenuous day in the saddle.

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