{"id":13957,"date":"2021-10-24T18:27:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-24T17:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2021\/10\/24\/perfect-absa-cape-epic-for-sina-frei-and-laura-stigger-r8346\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T18:58:58","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T18:58:58","slug":"perfect-absa-cape-epic-for-sina-frei-and-laura-stigger-r8346","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/perfect-absa-cape-epic-for-sina-frei-and-laura-stigger-r8346\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfect Absa Cape Epic for Sina Frei and Laura Stigger"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tSina Frei of Switzerland and Laura Stigger of Austria (NinetyOne-songo-Specialized) wrapped up the 2021 Absa Cape Epic in utmost style as they lead the race from start to finish, winning the overall title at Val de Vie today.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\"Sina
\n\tSina Frei and Laura Stigger of team 91-Songo-Specialized win stage 7 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic. Photo credit: Simon Pocock.<\/em><\/p>\n

\tFrei, a silver medallist in the cross-country mountain bike event at the Tokyo Olympics this year, was thrilled with the win. \u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable,\u201d she said. \u201cWe came into the Absa Cape Epic to ride and do well, but I never expected to win this race. We have just been a good team all week. We got onto the podium and we never left. I\u2019m really happy right now. Laura and I are good friends and I think this helped us throughout the week.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\"UCI
\n\tLead women during stage 7 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic. Photo credit: Sam Clark.<\/em><\/p>\n

\tStigger added that the victory came down to teamwork. \u201cOur success belongs to the entire team. Everyone has worked so hard for us. I can\u2019t really describe the feelings right now; it\u2019s just so cool.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\"Team
\n\tTeam 91-Songo-Specialized, Sina Frei and Laura Stigger during stage 7 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic. Photo credit: Kelvin Trautman.<\/em>
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tThe NinetyOne-songo-Specialized team enjoyed a flawless 2021 Absa Cape Epic, barely putting a foot or pedal stroke wrong all week. They were powerful on the climbs and poetry on the descents. That theme continued on the Grand Finale, with Frei and Stigger accelerating away from the chasing pack up the Beulah and the Hawequa Climbs.\u202f\u00a0
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tCandice Lill and Mariske Strauss (Faces CST) tried to respond, but the legs weren\u2019t willing. Still, they were able to claim second overall in the Elite women\u2019s race.\u202f
\n\t\u00a0\"Candice
\n\tCandice Lill and Mariske Strauss during stage 7. Photo credit: Sam Clark.<\/em><\/p>\n

\t\u201cOn the start line this morning our plan was to attack early to go for the stage win,\u201d said Lill. \u201cWe started off well and set the pace, but we quickly realised that the legs were gone after the last few days. Mariske also had a triple puncture, so we had a small panic with that, but we quickly sorted it out and kept moving.\u201d\u00a0
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tThe 2021 Absa Cape Epic was the first that Strauss and Lill have ridden together, and the pair have finished every day with big smiles and hugs. Will they still be able to compete against each other in the future? \u201cHaha – I am sure we will be able to race each other when the time comes,\u201d said Strauss. \u201cBut yes, this race has really solidified our friendship this week. It\u2019s been an awesome experience riding with Candice. I can\u2019t wait to do more stage races together.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\"Ariane
\n\tAriane Lu\u0308thi and Robyn De Groot of team Salusmed. Photo credit: Simon Pocock.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tRobyn de Groot and Ariane L\u00fcthi (Salusmed) were also a first-time pairing for the 2021 Absa Cape Epic. They finished third overall in the women\u2019s race, with De Groot admitting that she battled throughout the week.\u00a0
\n\t\u00a0
\n\t\u201cI didn\u2019t feel myself at this event,\u201d said De Groot on the finish line. \u201cAt some stages, I didn\u2019t feel like I could make it to the finish. I had to put on a poker face and just hang on to this superstar Ariane.\u201d\u00a0
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tL\u00fcthi was full of praise for her teammate and looks forward to more women riders taking on the challenge of the Absa Cape Epic. \u201cRobyn gave it her all,\u201d said Luthi. \u201cShe is a great competitor and it\u2019s fantastic to ride with her. We gave it everything we had and we crossed the line! I encourage all women mountain bikers to enter the Epic. You can do it. You enter, you train and we would love to see you here.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\"Laura
\n\tLaura Stigger and Sina Frei of 91-Songo-Specialized win stage 7 and the overall leaders Jersey of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic. Photo credit: Nick Muzik<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tStage 7 Results:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n\t\tNinetyOne-songo-Specialized,\u202fSina\u202fFREI, Laura STIGGER\u202f03:21:50.8\u00a0\n\t<\/li>\n
  2. \n\t\tFaces CST, Candice LILL,\u202fMariske\u202fSTRAUSS\u202f03:32:36.9 |\u202f+00:10:46.1\u00a0\n\t<\/li>\n
  3. \n\t\tSalusmed, Ariane L\u00dcTHI, Robyn DE GROOT\u202f03:33:35.2 |\u202f+00:11:44.4\u00a0\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n\tGeneral classification after Stage 7:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n\t\tNinetyOne-songo-Specialized,\u202fSina\u202fFREI, Laura STIGGER 30:39:52.8\u202f\u00a0\n\t<\/li>\n
    2. \n\t\tFaces CST, Candice LILL,\u202fMariske\u202fSTRAUSS 31:20:51.6 |\u202f+00:40:58.8\u00a0\n\t<\/li>\n
    3. \n\t\tSalusmed, Ariane L\u00dcTHI, Robyn DE GROOT 31:32:38.0 |\u202f+00:52:45.1\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \n\tFull results here<\/a>.<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

      \n\t\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

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