| Cape Epic: Paulissen/Fuglsang gewinnen wieder |
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Beim Etappenrennen durch Südafrika, dem Cape-Epic, gewinnen das Team Vredestein-Cannondale mit Roel Paulissen und Jakob Fuglsang auch die vierte Etappe und bauen ihre Führung im Gesamtklassement auf sieben Minuten aus. In der Verfolgung liegen weiterhin Ralph Näf mit José Hermida, welche die vierte Etappe mit neuen Minuten Rückstand auf Platz drei beendeten. In der Gesamtwertung liegen sie mit 25 Minuten Rückstand ebenfalls auf Platz drei. Pech hatte der Vorjahres-Sieger Christoph Sauser: Sein Partner Johannes Pallhuber musste das Rennen früh in der vierten Etappe entkräftet aufgeben. Sauser beendete die Etappe die vierte Etappe an der Spitze - aber leider ohne Partner. Der Berner Oberländer wird nun das Rennen zusammen mit dem Südafrikaner David George fortsetzen, wird aber nicht mehr in der Gesamtwertung gewertet. Offizieller Rennbericht (deutsche Version wird nachgeliefert): The first three days of the 2007 Absa Cape Epic, presented by adidas, have made for arguably the hardest start yet in the history of the race. 81 riders have already received a blue number board, meaning that they can ride the race but cannot be listed in the classification as they did not meet the cut off time in stage two. Nevertheless, spirits are high in the camp, with participants, particularly the top riders, agreeing that this is the best race yet, in terms of organisation, route structure and, most importantly, food. Riders bid farewell to Oudtshoorn at 7.00am this morning, as they embarked on the third stage, faced with the toughest day of climbing, totalling 2 425 metres. This, after completing yesterday's gruelling 132 kilometres, considered to be the most physically taxing stage of this year's race. Weather conditions were perfect today with mild temperatures, clear skies and a slight breeze. Today, the Absa Cape Epic route, designed by Leon Evans, took riders from Oudtshoorn to Ladismith through arid, ostrich country. A fast jeep track made for a high-speed start to the day, which was soon replaced by a crawling pace as the riders hit Fiellie's Folly, a ruthless ascent of 430 metres at an average climb of 14 percent. Riders were then rewarded with one of the most enjoyable descents of the race - 30 kilometres of swift, open riding towards the next looming obstacle cheerfully dubbed the Calitzdorp Crusher. After completing the Crusher's three steep kilometres of loose, stony track, riders descended only to find themselves at the base of another climb up the Huis Rivier Pass. The final 35 kilometre stretch provided exhausted riders graded, open roads and the exquisite scenery of Seweweekspoort, as they catapulted towards the finish line in Ladismith. Team Cannondale-Vredestein 1 clinched their second stage win and maintained their overall lead today as team members Roel Paulissen (B) and Jakob Fugslang (DK) clocked a remarkable time of four hours, fifty-six minutes and 8.4 seconds. Their closest competitors, Team Bulls, were hot on the leaders' tracks, coming in only three minutes behind them. With Ralph Naef (CH) and Jose Hermida (E) of Team Multivan Merida Biking 1 and Bart Brentjens (NL) and Rudi van Houts (NL) of Team Dolphin Mountainbike still securing positions in the top five, it's still anyone's guess as to who the overall winners will be. Tomorrow, speed skills will come into play as the route eases off on climbing, and beefs up on fast, open road riding. Jose Hermida of Team Multivan Merida Mountain Biking 1 says of the race thus far: "I enjoyed today's stage the most, so far. The scenery, the views and the mountains were beautiful, even if you had to suffer for it. It was one of those days when you are really proud to be a mountain biker because you get to see places that many other people will never see." Taking their first stage win in the Masters category were Linus van Onselen and Doug Brown of Absa Masters, who came in with a final time of five hours, thirty-eight minutes and 48.2 seconds. Team Raleigh MTN Energade 1 with Kevin Evans (RSA) and Brandon Stewart (RSA) defended the jersey of the Best African Team today, placing 9th with a time of 5 hours, 18 minutes and 52.8 seconds. They are now ranked on 7th position overall. Anke Erlank (RSA)and Yolande De Villiers (RSA) of Team Duravit won their third stage in a row despite experiencing seven punctures along the route. Due to this, the leading ladies were able to gain a lead of 'only' five minutes as opposed to their lead time of 35 minutes yesterday. 2006 Ladies Champion, Kerstin Brachtendorf (D) of Team adidas Fiat Rotwild, says of Erlank and De Villiers: "Those two ladies in front are impossible to catch. They are much stronger and we really want to focus now on defending our second position." Team IMC/Mongoose consisting of South Africans Yolande Speedy (RSA) and Paul Cordes (RSA) clinched the top spot today in the mixed classification for the second day in a row, maintaining their overall lead by nearly twenty minutes. This year, in an interesting twist, top South African female rider, Hannele Steyn-Kotze (RSA), partnered with Downhill champion Greg Minnaar (RSA). "I invite all people who think Greg cannot climb to come and watch this guy. He's not only climbing, but he's overtaking people in the climbs," says Steyn-Kotze of her partner. Plagued with six flats in the race so far, Steyn-Kotze and Minnaar hope for better luck tomorrow, aiming to secure a top five position. The general atmosphere in the tented village was one of palpable relief today, as the first gruelling three days came to an end. Tomorrow, riders will have a day of relative rest as they ride to Barrydale, over speedy, wide and open roads, with a total climb just over half of today's massive 2 425 metres. Tomorrow will also see a new, strong team pairing as last year's Absa Cape Epic champion, Christoph Sauser (CH) and South Africa's road legend, David George (RSA), team up, following the drop out of their partners, Johann Pallhuber (I) and Rupert Rheeder (RSA) respectively. According to the rules of the Absa Cape Epic, riders who have lost their team mate during the race, are permitted to team up with a new partner in order to complete it. www.cape-epic.com |
Meldung vom 26. März 2007 (Autor: red ) |
