![\"ccs-62657-0-26667800-1521985208.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-26667800-1521985208.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>2018 Absa Cape Epic Winners Jaroslav Kulhavy and Howard Grotts of Investec Songo Specialized during the final stage (stage 7) of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Huguenot High in Wellington to Val de Vie in Paarl, South Africa on the 25th March 2018. Photo by Shaun Roy\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\nWith 69km and 2000m of vertical gain standing between riders and a finisher\u2019s medal at Val de Vie Estate, this year\u2019s Grand Finale was arguably the toughest in the Absa Cape Epic\u2019s 15-year history. With four beastly climbs punctuating the course, even the sharp end of the field would feel every metre. Despite their eight-minute cushion over Cannondale Factory Racing\u2019s Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini, Investec Songo Specialized would have to mark every attack and pray for a mechanical-free day following a string of bad luck earlier in the race.<\/p>\n
Cannondale Factory Racing were first to make a move, together with Centurion Vaude, but these early attacks would prove futile as both teams struggled to respond to the counter attacks launched by Trek Selle San Marco 2, Buff Scott MTB, Canyon Topeak and Investec Songo Specialized. After struggling to stay aboard the Czech Express in the earlier stages of the race, Grotts showed his pedigree \u2013 driving the pace on the climbs and controlling the lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the first few days I was struggling quite a bit but things changed in the last few days,\u201d said Grotts. \u201cI felt comfortable on the climbs and I\u2019m happy with the way things have worked out for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Trek Selle San Marco 2 pairing of Fabian Rabensteiner and Michele Casagrande attacked and took the sprint on the Dimension Data Hotspot and opened up a 20 second gap in the process. Further back Cannondale Factory Racing were struggling to maintain a rhythm and risked losing their overall podium to the darkhorse Buff Scott MTB pair, who have been looking better and better as the race has progressed.<\/p>\n A heated exchange between Jeremiah Bishop (Canyon Topeak 2) and Manuel Fumic (Cannondale Factory Racing) would culminate in a crash after Fumic appeared to deliberately knock Bishop off his bike. Fumic however, was quick to dismiss the incident as \u201cracing dynamics\u201d and expressed there was no \u201cfoul play\u201d intended.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was an epic battle today,\u201d said Fumic. \u201cWe were battling for second overall with Canyon Topeak on the general classification. We had a crash and a puncture, and it was really close but we never gave up \u2013 we were always fighting. I\u2019m happy with third place.\u201d<\/p>\n The leading group would stay together for much of the stage before the Czech Express launched an attack on the Freedom Struggle climb in an attempt to splinter the group and gain an advantage heading into the final Land Rover Technical Terrain Section of the race \u2013 the \u201cBone Rattler\u201d. Only Trek Selle San Marco 2 were able counter their attack, responding with a daring move of their own that would ultimately hand them a well-deserved stage win.<\/p>\n \u201cToday was a good day for us,\u201d said Rabensteiner. \u201cWe attacked to take the Dimension Data Hotspot and decided to go full gas from there. Jaro (Kulhavy) and Howie (Grotts) attacked on the last climb but we made a move on the descent and it was full-race-mode to the finish line.\u201d<\/p>\n Canyon Topeak had a bit of a scare on the final descent after Kristian Hynek suffered a rear puncture. With Cannondale Factory Racing breathing down their necks just a few minutes down, Hynek was quick to fix the leak as the two managed to hold on to second place on the general classification. For Alban Lakata, it was a bitter-sweet moment as an Absa Cape Epic title continues to elude the Marathon World Champion.<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole Absa Cape Epic was a rollercoaster ride for us but in the end I\u2019m happy about the second place,\u201d said the Austrian. \u201cIt\u2019s a pity with how things went but we will have to come again next year to try and win.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was amazing that we got through the Absa Cape Epic with so few mechanicals,\u201d said Hynek. For a moment there we were a little stressed with the puncture on the final descent but it all worked out in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n For Investec Songo Specialized it was a case of minimising any unnecessary risks \u2013 particularly on the treacherous Bone Rattler descent. Their strategy paid off and despite gifting the stage to Trek Selle San Marco 2, they\u2019d roll across the finish line at Val de Vie Estate as deserved champions after eight days of consistent riding.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a pretty good ride,\u201d said Kulhavy. \u201cI\u2019m very happy for Howie (Grotts) as he is a newbie and he rode really well. Maybe we will come back next year to win again. Who knows \u2013 maybe I can try and beat Suzi\u2019s (Christoph Sauser) record of five victories. I\u2019ve learned a lot from him and he helped us a lot this year.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>Fabian Rabensteiner and Michele Casagrande of team Trek Selle San Marco 2 win the hotspot during stage 7 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Huguenot High in Wellington, South Africa on the 24th March 2018. Photo by Greg Beadle\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Jaroslav Kulhavy and Howard Grotts of team Investec Songo Specialized during stage 7 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Huguenot High in Wellington, South Africa on the 24th March 2018. Photo by Greg Beadle\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n