Pic: Sven Martin/Sportzpics

Day 7

In a surprise stage finish for the penultimate challenge in this year’s Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas, the Full-Dynamix Rsm team (Fredrik Kessiakoff/Massimo Debertolis), took top honours for the first time during this year’s event when they crossed the finish line first at a time of 3:45:10.

Overall leaders Cannondale Vredestein (Roel Paulissen/Jakob Fuglsang) finished the day in fifth, behind fourth place Bulls team (Karl Platt/Stefan Sahm). South Africa’s best performers in this year’s Absa Cape Epic, the MTN Energade (1) (Kevin Evans/David George) team, secured sixth position with a time of 3:54:10, two seconds after the overall leading team of Cannondale Vredestein.

In the women’s race, Rocky Mountain (Alison Sydor/Pia Sundstedt) were back on top at the finish line, with Trek/VW Wsd (Susan Haywood/Jennifer Smith) and Scott Contessa (Jane Seggie/Ischen Stopforth) finishing second and third respectively.

Pic: Sven Martin/Sportzpics

Day 8

The final stage saw Cannondale Vredestein (Jakob Fuglsang/Roel Paulissen) walk away as overall winners for this year’s event. With a nine minute time advantage built up of over the last couple of stages, they solidified their position as winners once again when they crossed the finish line within the leading bunch of riders who sprinted the last couple of metres of the Magical and Untamed African Mountain Bike Race. They were welcomed by thousands of enthusiastic spectators who lined the impressive finish at Lourensford in Somerset-West.

First to cross the finish line of the final stage however was the Bulls team (Karl Platt/Stefan Sahm) with a time of 2:42:21. This secured them the second place overall (36:10:49). Following the Bulls was Alb-Gold Mountainbike (Hannes Genze/Jochen Kaess) in second place, at a time of 2:42:25 (they ranked fourth overall at 36:28:35). One second later was the Cannondale Vredestein team (2:42:26), who took top honours this year thanks to their time advantage from the previous stages (36:01:45). The best performers from South Africa, MTN Energade (1) (Kevin Evans/David George), claimed their overall third place win (36:18:34) when they crossed the finish line fourth (2:42:29). They also won the African category overall.

Champions of the 2008 Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas, the Cannondale Vredestein team, embraced each other as they completed their race. “It is a very sweet victory for us, especially after last year when we were confident that we might be able to win. But it was taken from us, partially due to bad luck. But we returned this year to finish unfinished business, and our goal was to make it happen. And we did.”

In the women’s race, taking overall victory was the Rocky Mountain team (Pia Sundstedt/Alison Sydor) with a time 43:05:51. Winning the final stage added to their overall tally of six stage wins, giving them the overall victory. Their time places them in the top 25 in the men’s category too. In second place during the final stage as well as second overall was Trek/VW Wsd (Susan Haywood/Jennifer Smith). In third place overall was the Scott Contessa team (Jane Seggie/Ischen Stopforth).

Crossing the final finish line in Lourensford, Sydor and Sundstedt were overwhelmed with joy and hugged each other while rolling over the last timing mat of this year’s race. Unexpectedly, their handlebars caught each other resulting in a crash in front of the astonished crowds. Sundstedt hurt her shoulder when they fell on top of each other, but was back on her feet soon enough to celebrate their victory.

“I can truly say that the Absa Cape Epic is the toughest sporting event I’ve ever done in my life,” said Sydor. “Everything about this race is extraordinary; the scenery, the organisation, the people. It’s long ride, but it’s a great ride and I can’t imagine a more fantastic way to explore this beautiful country.”

Full results at www.cape-epic.com.