Absa Cape Epic
Victory for Stander and Sauser
Press Release / 04.04.2011
It’s the same every year – the last day of the Absa Cape Epic might be short but it is never easy. Old Viljoens Pass and Nuweberg reminded the remaining 1,064 riders that it wasn’t over just yet. Dr Evil (the course planner) had warned riders of a final few surprises before a traditional finish at Lourensford Wine Estate. There they were reunited with their loved ones – a life’s task accomplished and an experience they’ll never forget. This year’s route took riders through some of the most breathtaking scenery thanks to Cape Nature Conservation.
The 36ONE Songo Specialized team of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser walked away with top honours as overall winners of this year’s exciting Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas. With a ten minute and 51 second lead time at the start this morning, Stander and Sauser finished the last 8 days of the Magical and Untamed Mountain Bike Race of 707km in an overall time of 28:44.44,0.
It is the first time in the history of the race that a South African is part of the winning team. In second place in an overall time of 28:51.52,8 were the German team of Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss (Multivan Merida Biking), with the Bulls, Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, in third place overall in 29:05.53,7. The Bulls Team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm won the Absa Cape Epic in 2007, 2009 and 2010, 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 with eleven stage wins.
The Swiss Flückiger brothers, Lukas and Mathias, of the Trek World Racing team, won the final stage of this year’s Absa Cape Epic in 2:33.18,6 with Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss (Multivan Merida Biking) in second place (2:35.37,1). They were closely followed by José Hermida and Ralph Näf (Multivan Merida Biking 3) in 2:39.06,1, with Alexandre Moos and Balthasar Weber of BMC Mountainbike Racing in fourth place (2:39.07,4). Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (36ONE Songo Specialized) took a slower pace once they reached the final 200 metres in order to enjoy the overwhelming welcome of the crowds, finishing in fifth place in 2:39.19.
To find out more and view the full race results see <a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://live.cape-epic.com/’)" class="main">http://live.cape-epic.com/'</a>.See All Event Posts
