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There was a major shakeup for the dominating leading duo of Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander as they suffered a mechanical which would eventually lead to the UCI commissaires handing down a 15 minute penalty for receiving outside assistance.

South Africa’s Stander severely damaged his front wheel and could not continue riding, but Max Knox, who along with team mate Brandon Stewart were lying in 25th position, initially offered his front wheel. Due to different axle systems however, Knox gave Stander his entire bike to continue riding. Knox then got a new wheel at the vantage point, repaired Stander’s bike, and gave it back to him again at the next water point, where Songo.info waited for them. This cost the leading team in the first 3 stages more than 20 minutes.

“I hit a tree,” said Stander, “my wheel went sideways and the rim broke. Perhaps I’ve risked a bit too much. Max Knox wanted to give me his front wheel, but our forks didn’t match. That’s why we exchanged bikes. We pushed very hard to catch up with the others. However, I’m still feeling great.”

The UCI commissaries decided this evening to give a time penalty of fifteen minutes to Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander (Songo.info) as they benefited from outside help received by DCM Chrome. Knox and Stewart (DCM Chrome) received a time penalty of one hour as they broke one of the race rules by getting outside assistance from the Day Trippers.

This pushed The Bulls team of Germany’s Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm into first place, with the Songo.info team now trailing by 19 minutes and 29 seconds.

“We’re very happy that we can wear the yellow leader jersey again,” said Sahm. “We fought so hard last year and it didn’t work, so we’re stoked that we could make it work this year.” He jokingly adds that he is now also Platt’s physio. The team’s physiotherapist showed Sahm what to do when Karl’s shoulder dislocates again. “He said Karl must relax so that I can reduce the shoulder in again. I’ll always do whatever’s necessary. We ride together, we’ll die together.”

Absa Ladies Hanlie Booyens and Sharon Laws finished in first place for the fifth day in a row (05:57:08), and remain in the overall lead (23:18:53) in their category. They were again followed by Robyn Adendorff and Sarah van Heerden (WSP – Jeep Girls) in a time of 06:32:31, placing them second overall as well (26:44:35). The Tread Magazine Ladies, Nolene Saunders and Sarah Wielopolska, secured their third podium finish in a time of 06:45:47, placing them in third position for this stage and overall (27:24:09).

There were no surprises in the Mixed category today, with Nico Pfitzenmaier and Alison Sydor (Adidas Big Tree) still hanging on to their lead. They finished in a time of 05:13:27 (overall time – 19:51:36). They were again followed by Marcel Bartholet and Esther Süss (Wheeler – IXS Pro) in a time of 05:13:31 with only a 4-second gap between them. They maintain their overall 2nd position (20:30:51). In third place today were Lukas Kubis and Ivonne Kraft (Haibike – VMT Afripex) in a time of 05:22:00 (4th place overall in 21:21:49). Paul Cordes and Yolande Speedy (IMC/ Momentum GT/ Activeworx) are still in the third place overall (21:00:23), but finished in fourth place today (05:27:12).

Highest placed Brits continue to be the pairing of Jonathan Stenson and Peter Turnbull (Gateway/Cycle Studio RT’s), currently lying in 59th position.

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