{"id":13992,"date":"2021-10-19T15:46:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T14:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2021\/10\/19\/three-from-three-for-frei-and-stigger-on-cape-epic-stage-2-r8340\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T18:59:21","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T18:59:21","slug":"three-from-three-for-frei-and-stigger-on-cape-epic-stage-2-r8340","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/three-from-three-for-frei-and-stigger-on-cape-epic-stage-2-r8340\/","title":{"rendered":"Three from three for Frei and Stigger on Cape Epic Stage 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tSinna Frei and Laura Stigger powered to a third stage win on the trot when they crossed the Saronsberg-based finish line on Stage 2 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic.\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tSina Frei and Laura Stigge during stage 2. Photo credit: Kelvin Trautman.<\/em><\/p>\n

\tThe NinetyOne-songo-Specialized team of Sina Frei and Laura Stigger made it three wins from three stages so far at the 2021 Absa Cape Epic, winning Stage 2 today ahead of Robyn de Groot and Ariane L\u00fcthi (Salusmed). Candice Lill and Mariske Strauss (Faces CST) claimed third spot on the day.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\tFrei and Stigger now hold a seven-and-a-half minute advantage over nearest rivals, De Groot and Luthi; while that may sound like an age, the trails of the Absa Cape Epic have reclaimed far more than a few minutes from many teams, in the past.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tConditions on the 96km Stage 2, from Ceres to Saronsberg, Tulbagh, were ideal for mountain bike racing and the Elite women began the first \u201cmove day\u201d at a conservative pace. However, racers will be racers and the throttles were twisted.\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tMariske Strauss and Candice Lill. Photo credit: Sam Clark.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe race burst into life when four teams pulled away from the pack – NinetyOne-songo-Specialized, Salusmed, Faces CST, and Cherie Redecker and Adelheid Morath of Computer Mania MTB all leaving the rest behind.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe four teams remained together in a tight group for much of the stage, with a split only taking place around the 72km mark.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tEarlier in the race, Ariane L\u00fcthi was strongest up the Old Gydo Pass, the first real climb of the day, but on the final big climb, Frei and Stigger, at home in the mountainous terrain, made their move, dropping the three chasing teams.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tBy the 77km checkpoint, they\u2019d opened up a 30-second gap on De Groot and L\u00fcthi, a gap which had grown to just over a minute by the stage\u2019s end.\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tAriane L\u00fcthi. Photo credit: Sam Clark.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tOn the technical Old Wagon Trail descent into Tulbagh, Lill and Strauss lost valuable time, the latter struggling with a puncture. Strauss was also feeling the effects of her crashes on yesterday\u2019s stage. \u201cIt took me a bit of time this morning to find my rhythm but after a while, you forget the pain,\u201d she said. \u201cOn the final descent I started feeling it again, but I think we had a consistent race and I\u2019m proud of how we did today.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n\tFor Frei and Stigger, it was a complete performance, mishap-free and without incident. \u201cIt was a slow start and we just controlled the pace,\u201d said Frei. \u201cIn the last 20km we pushed the pace higher and managed to get away on the climb; we were first into the downhill and had a trouble-free final 10km to the finish.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n\tTomorrow\u2019s Stage 3 will be crucial for the chasing teams in the women\u2019s race. Some risks will have to be taken on the 91km, 2100m stage to cut into the overall lead of Frei and Stigger. Expect adventure and excitement on the trails of Tulbagh.\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tStage 2 podium. Photo credit: Simon Pocock.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tStage 2 Results:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

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  1. \n\t\tNinetyOne-songo-Specialized, Sina FREI, Laura STIGGER | 04:49:12.7\u00a0\n\t<\/li>\n
  2. \n\t\tSalusmed, Ariane L\u00dcTHI, Robyn DE GROOT 04:50:14.9 | +00:01:02.1\n\t<\/li>\n
  3. \n\t\tFaces CST, Candice LILL, Mariske STRAUSS 04:53:47.7 | +00:04:35.0\u00a0\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n\tGeneral classification after Stage 2:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n\t\tNinetyOne-songo-Specialized, Sina FREI, Laura STIGGER 05:29:01.2 | 17.9 km\/h ave. \u00a0\n\t<\/li>\n
    2. \n\t\tSalusmed, Ariane L\u00dcTHI, Robyn DE GROOT, 05:35:31.1 | +00:06:29.8 | 17.5 km\/h ave.\u00a0\n\t<\/li>\n
    3. \n\t\tFaces CST, Candice LILL, Mariske STRAUSS, 05:42:37.1 | +00:13:35 | 17.2 km\/h ave.\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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

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