![\"ccs-62657-0-41824000-1521642255.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-41824000-1521642255.jpg\")
<\/a>Alban Lakata and Kristian Hynek of Canyon Topeak win the Hotspot during stage 3 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Arabella Wine Estate in Robertson to HTS Drostdy in Worcester, South Africa on the 21st March 2018. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\nCanyon Topeak proved their early intentions by nabbing the Dimension Data Hotspot ahead of Centurion Vaude. As leaders approached the base of the Pieter\u2019s Express climb, Investec Songo Specialized attacked in what would prove to be the move of the day. Only Canyon Topeak had enough in reserves to board the Czech Express and secure a one-way ticket to HTS Drostdy in Worcester.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got the win at the Dimension Data Hotspot and after that we just kept on going. Luckily we had Jaro (Kulhavy) on our side \u2013 he\u2019s like a locomotive,\u201d said Lakata.<\/p>\n
The breakaway was firmly established at the 29km marker where Investec Songo Specialized gained the virtual lead with a 2.24,4 advantage over the yellow jersey group. The strategy of forcing an early split had paid off and, with Kulhavy and Lakata among the firepower, the average speed at the head of the race reached a staggering 28km\/h. Further back Cannondale Factory Racing found themselves surrounded by Buff Scott MTB, Trek Selle San Marco 1, Centurion Vaude, BULLS 2 and KMC EKO\u00cf SRSuntour.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty rough out there. At 122km, it\u2019s the longest stage of the Absa Cape Epic and the guys from Investec Songo Specialized and Canyon Topeak made their move on the first climb and put us in the hurt box,\u201d said Fumic.<\/p>\n
Like yesterday, Investec Songo Specialized\u2019s efforts were thwarted by a series of costly punctures that gave Canyon Topeak the lead. As he showed yesterday, when it comes to chasing, Jarsoslav Kulhavy knows only one speed \u2013 full gas. With Grotts in tow the two reduced the gap in a matter of minutes and moved through the Land Rover Technical Terrain together with Canyon Topeak.<\/p>\n With just 15km left to negotiate Howard Grotts got caught out by a sandy stretch that would ultimately gift Canyon Topeak their first stage win of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic \u2013 Lakata\u2019s first since 2010.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s insane. How crazy was that? It is really cool to win the stage and I was enjoying it the whole day,\u201d said Lakata.<\/p>\n Lakata went on to praise Kulhavy for his incredible power and the huge efforts he put in on the flats. \u201cWe are lucky we had him (Jaro) on our side today, he did 80 per cent of the work. They (Investec Songo Specialzied) had some flats and Howie (Grotts) was struggling so we got the stage win. We are back in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite finishing just over a minute behind Canyon Topeak, Kulhavy and Grotts were able to steal the yellow jersey away from Cannondale Factory Racing. Grotts, who will become the first American to wear yellow at the Absa Cape Epic, had the following to say about how things played out.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a good stage and we tried to go for it, said Grotts. \u201cI was suffering like a dog out there. It is probably the most I have ever suffered in any race but it was worth it \u2013 we are also in yellow so that\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n For Cannondale Factory Racing it was a day of damage control as Fumic and Avancini began a chase back of their own after leaving the Buff Scott MTB team behind on the Land Rover Technical Terrain. The strategy of forcing an early split had paid off and, with Kulhavy and Lakata among the firepower, the average speed had reached a staggering 28km\/h. Their efforts almost paid off but it was a case of too little too late as they dropped to second overall on the general classification.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were trying to ride smartly in the chasing bunch and made a move on the Land Rover Technical Terrain, said Fumic. We kept going and time-trialled it to the finish line but it was too late. It\u2019s still a long way to the finish but we are happy.<\/p>\n \u201cThe yellow jersey always feels a little heavy because there is lots of pressure and expectation. Tomorrow looks like it could be a good stage for us with lots of single-track so we will try and put the others in the hurt box.\u201d<\/p>\n The composure shown by Canyon Topeak and the consistent manner in which they\u2019ve approached the race thus far has paid off in a big way. As it stands it\u2019s Investec Songo Specialized who lead Cannondale Factory Racing by 2.12,7 with Canyon Topeak in third, 3.14,4 off the pace.<\/p>\n In the Absa African Men\u2019s special jersey race Ellsworth-ASG\u2019s HB Kruger and Stuart Marais managed to keep their red jersey despite finishing in fourth place.<\/p>\n<\/a>Jaroslav Kulhavy leads the breakaway during stage 3 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Arabella Wine Estate in Robertson to HTS Drostdy in Worcester, South Africa on the 21st March 2018. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini of team Cannondale Factory Racing during stage 3 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Arabella Wine Estate in Robertson to HTS Drostdy in Worcester, South Africa on the 21st March 2018. Photo by Greg Beadle\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n