![\"ccs-62657-0-49993700-1553002387.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-49993700-1553002387.jpg\")
<\/a>Nino SCHURTER (SUI) and Lars FORSTER (SUI) of team Scott-SRAM MTB-Racing during stage 2 of the 2019 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Hermanus High School in Hermanus to Oak Valley Estate in Elgin, South Africa on the 19th March 2019. Photo by Greg Beadle\/Cape Epic<\/span><\/p>\nWhile this is not the first time this feat has been accomplished, it is a first for the decorated Schurter. The Scott-SRAM MTB-Racing team won in a time of 3:37.41 to extend their overall lead over Cannondale Factory Racing to more than four minutes.
\u201cI thought I could do well, but not this well,\u201d Lars Forster commented at the finish. \u201cThis is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old was visibly ecstatic with his debut Absa Cape Epic performance to date.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe will just get better,\u201d his senior partner Schurter quipped. \u201cThis (stage win) was not planned, but we are very happy with the hat trick.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott-SRAM MTB-Racing didn\u2019t have it all their own way however. As is tradition, by this point in the race the General Classification contenders have started to settle and tend to watch each other, leaving teams who have already lost time on GC to make moves for stage honours. KROSS-SPUR \u2013 who eventually finished second on the day \u2013 along with both the Trek Selle San Marco teams clearly had that goal on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Sergio Mantec\u00f3n Guti\u00e9rrez of KROSS-SPUR said: \u201cYesterday we had some mechanical troubles. Now we will try for stage wins. Today we were very close and we will keep fighting for that because we felt good.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed they were good. Going to the front early into the 90-kilometre stage from Hermanus to Oak Valley, at the top of Rotary Drive, the first climb of the day, the early pressure meant gaps appeared in the front bunch. At 20 kilometres, the lead bunch was reduced to 10 teams. This group featured all the main protagonists, but by the top of The Machine climb it had been blown apart, with both Schurter and Cannondale Factory Racing\u2019s Henrique Avancini revving their engines to put the heat on everyone else.<\/p>\n At the 48-kilometre mark Scott-SRAM MTB-Racing once again put down the hammer and Absa African Men’s Special Jersey wearers SpecializedFoundationNAD, Canyon and the Bulls Heroes lost touch. At the old Houw Hoek pass climb \u2013 some 65 kilometres in \u2013 it was clear that the winner would come from the front group of Scott-SRAM MTB-Racing, Cannondale Factory Racing, KROSS-SPUR or Trek Selle San Marco.<\/p>\n The lead changed hands a few times as the teams felt each other out. Then Schurter and Forster\u2019s decisive move came on a steep climb into Oak Valley. KROSS-SPUR fought valiantly to close the gap but were unable to do so through the manicured singletrack. Cannondale Factory Racing were content to come home for another safe podium, closely followed by Damiano Ferraro and Samuele Porro of Trek Selle San Marco, in fourth.<\/p>\n<\/a>Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez & Ond\u0159ej Cink KROSS-SPUR look back as they finish in 2nd place on stage 2 of the 2019 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Hermanus High School in Hermanus to Oak Valley Estate in Elgin, South Africa on the 19th March 2019. Photo by Shaun Roy\/Cape Epic<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez and Ond\u0159ej Cink of team Kross Spur during stage 2 of the 2019 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Hermanus High School in Hermanus to Oak Valley Estate in Elgin, South Africa on the 19th March 2019. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Nino SCHURTER (SUI) of team Scott-SRAM MTB-Racing and Henrique AVANCINI (BRA) of team Cannondale Factory Racing during stage 2 of the 2019 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Hermanus High School in Hermanus to Oak Valley Estate in Elgin, South Africa on the 19th March 2019. Photo by Greg Beadle\/Cape Epic<\/span><\/p>\n