{"id":16096,"date":"2018-03-19T13:55:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-19T13:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2018\/03\/19\/cannondale-grab-yellow-in-stage-1-sprint-finish-r7190\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T06:06:08","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T06:06:08","slug":"cannondale-grab-yellow-in-stage-1-sprint-finish-r7190","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/cannondale-grab-yellow-in-stage-1-sprint-finish-r7190\/","title":{"rendered":"Cannondale grab yellow in Stage 1 sprint finish"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sunday\u2019s Prologue marked a well-earned victory for Centurion Vaude and the marathon contingent but the cross-country specialists had other ideas for Stage 1\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"w-full aspect-video\">\n<div><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"200\" height=\"113\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JvD-tPENAP4?feature=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On paper, Stage 1\u2019s 110km\/1900m course looked scripted for the marathon riders but as we discovered yesterday the Untamed African MTB Race is filled with surprises \u2013 and that\u2019s exactly how the day played out. The racing set off at a blistering pace that was described as \u201cdangerous\u201d and \u201cintense\u201d by Karl Platt who struggled in early parts of the stage.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-76101000-1521467541.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1180223\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1180223\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-76101000-1521467541.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-76101000-1521467541.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini of Cannondale Factory Racing celebrate winning stage 1 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Arabella Wine Estate in Robertson, South Africa on the 19th March 2018. Photo by Shaun Roy\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Cross-country specialists Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing) entered the first water point in the lead followed closely by Alban Lakata and Kristian Hynek (Canyon Topeak) and Rohrbach and Geismayr (Centurion Vaude). Despite the efforts of the yellow jersey wearers the Cannondale boys kept the pace high and consolidated their early lead by attacking down the \u2018Skid and bones\u2019 Land Rover Technical Terrain \u2013 a dexterous move few were able to match. Investec Songo Specialized\u2019s Jaroslav Kulhavy and Howard Grotts followed in hot pursuit and managed to join Avancini\/Fumic at the head of the race.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday was such a good day for us. We worked well with the Investec Songo Specialized guys and never went over our limit which is good,\u201d said Avancini.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-29596800-1521467585.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1180232\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1180232\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-29596800-1521467585.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-29596800-1521467585.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">Jaroslav Kulhavy leads the breakaway to the finish during stage 1 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Arabella Wine Estate in Robertson, South Africa on the 19th March 2018. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The cross-country quartet worked together for the remainder of the race and increased their lead to nearly six minutes at one point, much to the disbelief of the chasing team of Trek Selle San Marco 2\u2019s Fabian Rabensteiner and Michele Casagrande who would eventually secure the final step of the podium. \u201cToday was just beautiful. This is my first Absa Cape Epic, exclaimed an animated Casagrande. \u201cThis is the first stage and we got a podium \u2013 it is like a dream for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As the final 20km loomed the Czech Express assumed his characteristic position on the front of the pace line followed by Fumic, Avancini and Grotts \u2013 the latter of whom appeared to be struggling in the final moments. The stage would eventually go to Cannondale Factory Racing who outfoxed Investec Songo Specialized in a sprint finish that handed them both the overall lead and yellow zebra jersey.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s always nice to win a stage,\u201d said Fumic. \u201cAnd it\u2019s great to be in yellow after a great ride today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Among the day\u2019s misfortunes were defending champions Scott-Sram who failed to establish any sense of authority after Matthias Stirnemann took ill early in the stage. Despite finishing Stirnemann will play no further part in the race. \u201cMatthias suffered so much today. He has a stomach bug and wasn\u2019t able to eat and keep anything down,\u201d said Schurter. \u201cHe was completely empty and because of the infection he can\u2019t continue the race.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-77983400-1521467768.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1180242\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1180242\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-77983400-1521467768.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-77983400-1521467768.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">Nicola Rohrbach and Daniel Geismayr during stage 1 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Arabella Wine Estate in Robertson, South Africa on the 19th March 2018. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Yesterday\u2019s leaders, Daniel Geismayr and Nicola Rohrbach of Centurion Vaude, also battled with the early pace but remain positive despite losing their overnight lead. \u201cIt was not a good day for us. We lost contact with the front riders and just couldn\u2019t get back,\u201d said Geismayr. \u201cIt\u2019s sad that we could not defend our yellow jersey but we usually get stronger with each stage so I\u2019m looking forward to that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After a forgettable Prologue, team BULLS put on a sterling display of grit, experience and determination to restore a glimmer of pride with a fifth place finish. \u201cI was so disappointed yesterday but you can never lose faith,\u201d said Platt. This morning I struggled again and Urs (Huber) thought it was all over for this year\u2019s Absa Cape Epic but suddenly I found my legs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought Karl was done because he looked so bad. I thought tomorrow I would have to start as an Outcast\/Leopard,\u201d chirped Huber.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-79379800-1521467843.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1180243\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1180243\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-79379800-1521467843.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-79379800-1521467843.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">Simon Stiebjahn of Bulls 2 punctures during stage 1 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Arabella Wine Estate in Robertson, South Africa on the 19th March 2018. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As it stands Cannondale Factory Racing lead Investec Songo Specialized on the general classification by 40.9 seconds. Centurion Vaude are third, 5.36,3 back and less than a minute ahead of Alban Lakata and Kristian Hynek of Canyon Topeak in fourth.<\/p>\n<p>In the Absa African Men\u2019s special jersey category, Ellsworth-ASG\u2019s HB Kruger and Stuart Marais bagged their first stage win of the race beating Nico Bell and Matt Beers (NAD MTB) by half a second.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-06729500-1521467899.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1180244\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1180244\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-06729500-1521467899.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-06729500-1521467899.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">Nico Bell and Matthew Beers of team NAD MTB during stage 1 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Arabella Wine Estate in Robertson, South Africa on the 19th March 2018. Photo by Andrew McFadden\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is my first Absa Cape Epic, so to have been the first African team on the first real stage is a big occasion,\u201d said Marais. \u201cThe conditions were really rough out there but my partner, HB Kruger, was riding incredibly well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Beukes and Jessop (PYGA Euro Steel) came home in third, a result that sees them leapfrog Timothy Hammond and Arno Du Toit (SPOT Africa) to the same position on the general classification.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-27322600-1521467689.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1180238\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1180238\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-27322600-1521467689.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-27322600-1521467689.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">Podium (L to R) 2nd Place Jaroslav Kulhavy and Howard Grotts of InvestecSongoSpecialized, 1st Place Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini of Cannondale Factory Racing, 3rd Place Fabian Rabensteiner and Michele Casagrande of Trek Selle San Marco during stage 1 of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Arabella Wine Estate in Robertson, South Africa on the 19th March 2018. Photo by Shaun Roy\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"bg-slate-100 p-5\">\n<strong>2018 Stage 1 Men<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Stage Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1. Cannondale Factory Racing 6-1 Manuel Fumic (Germany) 6-2 Henrique Avancini (Brazil) 4:08.22,6<br \/>2. InvestecSongoSpecialized 2-1 Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic) 2-2 Howard Grotts (United States of America) 4:08.23,9 +1,3<br \/>3. Trek Selle San Marco 2 15-1 Fabian Rabensteiner (Italy) 15-2 Michele Casagrande (Italy) 4:13.55,6 +5.33,0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1. Cannondale Factory Racing 6-1 Manuel Fumic (Germany) 6-2 Henrique Avancini (Brazil) 4:54.03,9<br \/>2. InvestecSongoSpecialized 2-1 Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic) 2-2 Howard Grotts (United States of America) 4:54.44,8 +40,9<br \/>3. Centurion Vaude 3-1 Nicola Rohrbach (Switzerland) 3-2 Daniel Geismayr (Austria) 4:59.40,2 +5.36,3<br \/>4. Canyon Topeak 7-1 Alban Lakata (Austria) 7-2 Kristian Hynek (Czech Republic) 5:00.50,6 +6.46,7<br \/>5. KMC-EKO\u00cf-SRSUNTOUR 14-1 Jordan Sarrou (France) 14-2 Victor Koretzky (France) 5:01.06,6 +7.02,7<br \/>6. BUFF SCOTT MTB 21-1 Francesc Guerra Carretero (Spain) 21-2 Luis Leao Pinto (Portugal) 5:01.20,0 +7.16,1<br \/>7. Trek Selle San Marco 2 15-1 Fabian Rabensteiner (Italy) 15-2 Michele Casagrande (Italy) 5:01.52,5 +7.48,6<br \/>8. Price&amp;bischi-bikes 27-1 Martin Fanger (Switzerland) 27-2 Simon Vitzthum (Switzerland) 5:01.54,7 +7.50,8<br \/>9. KULU MANZI PROJECT 16-1 Frans Claes (Belgium) 16-2 Markus Bauer (Germany) 5:01.57,8 +7.53,9<br \/>10. BULLS 4-1 Karl Platt (Germany) 4-2 Urs Huber (Switzerland) 5:02.14,6 +8.10,7\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sunday\u2019s Prologue marked a well-earned victory for Centurion Vaude and the marathon contingent but the cross-country specialists had other ideas for Stage 1\u2026 On paper, Stage 1\u2019s 110km\/1900m course looked scripted for the marathon riders but as we discovered yesterday the Untamed African MTB Race is filled with surprises \u2013 and that\u2019s exactly how the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":31990,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[24],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-16096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-cape-epic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16096"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16096\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16096"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=16096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}