![\"ccs-58780-0-03330400-1479809420.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-58780-0-03330400-1479809420.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>The elite men lining up on the start at the weekend on Bosman Family Vinyard, Wellington. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBoth Looser (BIXS) and L\u00fcthi (Team Spur) base themselves in the Western Cape for most of the European winter and are familiar with many of the trails, particularly in the Wellington region where they have contested recent Absa Cape Epic stages.<\/p>\n
But the strong winds and high temperatures made for challenging conditions over the 65km race, which included a high volume of singletrack.<\/p>\n
In the men\u2019s event, Looser, Germany\u2019s Simon Stibjan (Team Bulls) and South African Adriaan Louw (Contego) moved clear of the lead group on the first section of singletrack. Louw eventually found the pace too hard and backed off, leaving Looser and Stibjan to battle for the win.<\/p>\n Looser managed to ride clear of Stibjan before the final long descent, Cool Runnings, a favourite among locals for it\u2019s length and flow and one that ensured Looser retained his lead to cross the finish line first in a time of 03 hours 03 minutes 17 seconds. Stibjan claimed the runner-up spot just 18 seconds later with Louw rounding out the podium places in 3:10:41.<\/p>\n \u201cI had to make a gap on Simon before the last downhill because I know he is quicker than me on the downhills. I attacked and got a gap and rode my own pace to the finish, but I did run out of water and it was very hot, so it wasn\u2019t a comfortable end to the race,\u201d said Looser.<\/p>\n \u201cThe heat made it hard, especially for us riders from Europe. Konny was strong today and I couldn\u2019t follow him when he made that last attack. It was a great course though with long climbs and technical descents. It suits us Europeans and we love to come back here to race,\u201d said Stibjan.<\/p>\n The women\u2019s race got off to a relatively steady start, but became a two-rider battle between Ariane L\u00fcthi, the current Swiss national champion and Jennie Stenerhag (Ascendis Health), the current Swedish national champion after the first big climb.<\/p>\n A hard crash saw Stenerhag lose ground \u2013 and confidence \u2013 with L\u00fcthi using the technical sections to put more time between her and her rival. The three-time Cape Epic winner finished strongly in an impressive 16th place overall, clocking a time of 3:34:58. With a bleeding left elbow, a relieved Stenerhag finished second in 3:40:26, with Carmen Buchacher (Velocity) claiming the final podium spot in 3:50:50.<\/p>\n \u201cI made a decision only yesterday to do this race. It turned out to be a good one. What a cool course! I was very surprised. I know Wellington well and I have done many Cape Epics through here. There is so much singletrack!\u201d smiled L\u00fcthi.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter Jennie crashed I could see her arm was bleeding quite a lot. But we stayed together and I was very happy with my improved skills, which I have been working on. That helped be relax a bit in the technical sections and save energy for the end,\u201d said L\u00fcthi.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t say I felt really good from the start. Then when I had the crash it took a bit out of me. After that I just tried to stay with Ariane for as long as I could. Eventually she got a gap and I didn\u2019t have the energy to close that gap so I just cruised. It really wasn\u2019t a good day,\u201d said Stenerhag.<\/p>\n<\/a>All smiles as the elite women line up on the start at the weekend on Bosman Family Vinyard, Wellington. From left to right Ariane L\u00fcthi (Team Spur), Carmen Buchacher (Velocity), and Jennie Stenerhag (Team Ascendis Health). Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Germany’s Simon Stibjan (Team Bulls) followed closely by Swiss Konny Looser (BIXS) as they navigate the numerous Wellington singletrack. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Jennie Stenerhag (Ascendis Health) hot on the heels of Ariane L\u00fcthi (Team Spur) as they battle it out on a climbing singletrack. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Mens podium (from left to right) Simon Stibjan (Team Bulls) Konny Looser (BiXS) Adriaan Louw (Contego Swift) Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n