![\"ccs-62657-0-36195500-1490358645.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-36195500-1490358645.jpg\")
<\/a>Nino Schurter & Matthias Stirnemann of SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing celebrate winning stage 5 & taking the Overall lead during stage 5 of the 2017 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Oak Valley Wine Estate in Elgin, South Africa on the 24th March 2017. Photo by Shaun Roy\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\nSecond on the day was previous stage winners Michiel van der Heidjen and Andri Frischknecht (SCOTT-SRAM Young Guns), giving the SCOTT teams excellent back-to-back victories.<\/p>\n
Third went to Christoph Sauser and Jaroslav Kulhavy (Investec-Songo-Specialized) who had dropped back to nearly two minutes behind Schurter and Stirnemann at one stage but fought magnificently to finish 17 seconds behind on the day.<\/p>\n
After five superb days, it was eventually a mediocre day for Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing XC). They\u2019ve held the yellow zebra jersey since Sunday\u2019s Prologue, but a puncture and bad day on the bike for Avancini handed the overall race lead to Schurter and Stirneman. Thanks to a ninth-place finish on the day, Fumic and Avancini have dropped to third overall, while Sauser and Kulhavy lurk in second, just 50 seconds off the front in the overall race.<\/p>\n
On another fast day, SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing had to dig deep for the stage win, as Sauser (who was feeling off his game for the first half of the stage) and Kulhavy chased to the bitter end.<\/p>\n
Stirnemann was left breathless after crossing the line, and had to take a few minutes to compose himself before talking to the media.<\/p>\n \u201cThe stage win feels great, especially after the start I had,\u201d said Stirnemann. \u201cIn the beginning I was really struggling for rhythm. It took me quite a while to get started, but I think after the first climb of the day I started feeling much better. It was fast again from the start. In fact the whole stage was hard going\u2026\u201d After trailing off, he asked the waiting media to excuse him while he took time to recover.<\/p>\n Schurter on the other hand looked ready for another 84km. \u201cIt\u2019s absolutely amazing to win the stage,\u201d he said. \u201cOn the first big climb of the day I noticed that Christoph was struggling; that\u2019s when we decided to go for it. Both the SCOTT teams were feeling good, so it\u2019s great that we have now taken two stages for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n After moving into yellow, Schurter expects an exciting finish to the Absa Cape Epic. \u201cThe yellow zebra jersey is obviously a bonus,\u201d he said. \u201cThe cross-country guys have really been doing well at the Absa Cape Epic this year; we\u2019re happy to continue the form. Tomorrow though; anything can happen. We look forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier in the day the pace was set by the all-South African pair of Matthys Beukes and Philip Buys (PYGA Euro Steel). Eager for a stage win, Beukes and Buys bolted out of the start chute, setting a high tempo from the word go. Unfortunately they suffered a torn sidewall, which put paid to their stage chances. Sauser meanwhile was struggling with an ailment and made an effort to conserve his energy.<\/p>\n<\/a>Christoph Sauser and Jaroslav Kulhavy during stage 5 of the 2017 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race. Photo by Ewald Sadie\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS.<\/span><\/p>\n