20 March 2013 • The Kouebokkeveld is renowned for its spectacular sandstone formations marking its landscape. Up the Middelburg Pass, through the Kouebokkeveld and down the wagon trails of the Witzenberg Valley to drop into the Tulbagh Valley, this was one of the most scenic stages seen in the ten years of this iconic MTB stage race. Stage Two of the 2013 ABSA Cape Epic proved to yet again be a thrilling contest between the sport’s biggest stars, and the crowds and supporters lining the stage were kept entertained as these gladiators battled for every meter of advantage over their rivals.
With three different leaders in the general classification in the three stages of the event thus far, some big crashes from professional MTBers and a multitude of mechanical mishaps throughout the field, the 146km-long Stage Two route and 2350m of climbing from Citrusdal to the Saronsberg Wine Estate was far trickier than its route profile and description foretold. Dr Evil, the now-infamous nickname for ABSA Cape Epic Route Director Leon Evans, marked this as a stage to be wary. And, the suffering on the faces of those who survived the punishing ups and downs bear testament to this.
Two racers on this event, Nico Pfitzenmaier of team Bridge and Ann Harrison of team Dawn Wing, represent Momsen Bikes. Nico is partnered with Abraao Azevedo, multiple Brazilian XCO and Marathon Champion, with the aims of winning the prestigious Telkom Business Masters’ Category. Ann is racing with Marleen Lourens and they are fighting for a podium position in the hotly contested Ladies Category. Armed with their VIPAs, our all-new, full carbon, full suspension race weapons the two racers fought hard on a torturously tough and sandy 96km stage with Nico finishing THIRD overall on the Telkom Business Masters’ Category, and Ann bravely consolidated her SIXTH place on the Ladies Category leader board.
Essentially prototypes, this model was unveiled to the international public at the recent Cape Argus Lifecycle Expo in Cape Town. This South African “Superbike” was designed and developed in South Africa, and now it faces its final development test: the 2013 ABSA Cape Epic!
Winding their way up the Middelburg Pass early on Stage Two’s 146km-long route, racing along the rolling jeep tracks and farm roads on the plateau, the competitors were able to settle into a steady yet fast rhythm. Jostling for position in the groups, they tackled the steepest climb of the day to reach over 1100m above sea level and a flowing single-track rewarded those with energy left in their legs with a chance to reel in their rivals. The wagon trails of the Witzenberg Valley and the rocky, twisty and technical single-track that followed was ideally suited to true MTBers. A dash towards the finish in the Tulbagh Valley saw Nico and team-mate Azevedo claim SECOND in the Telkom Business Masters’ Category, also seeing this hard-working duo move into SECOND overall in the Category and 18th overall in the General Classification.
Ann and Lourens sped to FOURTH in the Ladies Category on this stage, and this also saw them jump from their overnight sixth place overall in the Ladies Category to FOURTH. Ann is riding a strong race, and is patiently waiting to attack later in the week on her VIPA race weapon.
“This is an absolutely stunning bike, and what a race to be riding it,” said Nico. “On Stage Two we were riding in a big group with the leaders from the start, and even took the Telkom Business Masters’ Category lead. Team Juwi of Carsten Bresser and Udo Boelts caught up to Abraao and I. It was such a long, long, long stage with flats and a headwind for most of the stage for us all. On the very last climb of the stage, a rocky and steep one, Team Juwi jumped off their bikes and ran up the hill. Being marathon runners, they did well and they made a gap on us. We just couldn’t catch them on the final descent to the finish, but we’re very happy with our race. It is still a long race ahead of us, and anything can happen.”
The sandstone formations, the scenic beauty of the Kouebokkeveld and the luxury of the Saronsberg Wine Estate where Stage Two concluded is all but lost on the battle-weary racers who focus their energies on the pedaling efficiency, speed and recovering for the next stage. The route for Stage Three today will be a loop of 94km around the Tulbagh Valley for a high-speed stage with two menacing climbs for good measure.
Momsen Bikes is continually growing its footprint on the South African cycling marketplace as we increase our model range to offer bikes suited to every rider’s demands and those of the unique South African MTBing track and trail conditions. Our commitment to racing is a commitment to development of new bikes. Racing is at the core of what Momsen Bikes stands for, and each frame has been put through its paces in competition to better test its strengths and eradicate its weakness. Our customers will benefit from this: you will ride and race those very same bikes in the near future thanks to the development and test efforts in this race. YOU’LL share in the wins, the podiums and medals, as they will be sculpted into each frame’s curve. This is Momsen Bikes.
OVERALL RESULTS AFTER STAGE TWO
Telkom Business Masters Category:
02) Nico Pfitzenmaier/Abraao Azevedo (Bridge) – 12:22.24,6 (+16.46,1 behind Category leaders)
Ladies Category:
04) Ann Harrison/Marleen Lourens (Dawn Wing) – 15:15.10,5 (+01:13.39,7 behind Category leaders)
