![\"ccs-62657-0-51769200-1458484589.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-51769200-1458484589.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Henrique Avancini of Brazil (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Manuel Fumic of Germany (Cannondale Factory Racing) about to cross the finish as the stage winners, during the final stage (stage 7) of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016. Photo by Emma Hill\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\nGerman Manuel Fumic and Brazilian Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factory Racing) claimed Stage 7 \u2013 the prestigious Grand Finale win \u2013 but it was Team Bulls who took overall glory in front of thousands of spectators at the Meerendal Wine Estate finish.<\/p>\n
German Platt and Swiss teammate Huber of Switzerland rolled comfortably across the line at Meerendal in fifth place after the fast 86km stage, with Fumic and Avancini still joyously celebrating their stage win.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve wanted this all week,\u201d said Fumic. \u201cWe targeted the Prologue, then Stage 4 and today. This was our last chance at a stage win after the other two didn\u2019t work out, so we were really determined to take this one. There is nothing better than winning the final stage of the Cape Epic. There are always a lot of people here, but when we came over the bridge I couldn\u2019t believe how many people were at the finish. It\u2019s such a special feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n Avancini, the 2015 Brazilian cross-country champion, was equally thrilled with a stage victory in his debut Cape Epic. \u201cThis is very special,\u201d said Avancini. \u201cWe were chasing this stage win today so to get it in front of so many fans was incredible. We wanted Stage 4, but Manny had a few issues, so this was it for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Fumic and Avancini crossed the line in 3:13.38,2, lightning fast riding on a stage without much climbing, quite a few district roads and in fairly cool conditions.<\/p>\n Second and third on the stage was wrapped up by the two Centurion Vaude by Meerendal teams. At one stage, on the last climb before the final 2016 Cape Epic descent, it looked as though they had positioned themselves for a one-two stage finish, but Cannondale Factory Racing snuck in front. \u201cWe are not the strongest team in the field,\u201d said Avancini, \u201cso today we had to be the smartest.\u201d<\/p>\n The biggest smiles on the day, though, belonged to Platt and Huber. Their preparation for the 2016 race has been superb, with both riders spending weeks in South Africa, racing and riding in local conditions.<\/p>\n This is the 10th year that Team Bulls have competed in the Cape Epic, and that experience was in full display throughout the week. The Cape Epic also holds a special place in the heart of the Bulls team, as this was the first event they raced as a pro outfit. To commemorate the 10 years, the Bulls came into the event under the banner of Project Zebra \u2013 their mission to claim a fifth Cape Epic victory. Their kit and bikes were created to reflect the theme and to show their affinity for their adopted country. The hard work and enthusiasm for riding in South Africa paid off.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is unbelievable\u2026 unbelievable,\u201d said Platt seconds after crossing the line as the 2016 champion. I have no words to say now.\u201d Platt, who won the very first Absa Cape Epic in 2004, has had to wait six years for his fifth win. \u201cI must be getting better with age! I\u2019ve been waiting a long time for this fifth win, so to actually have it now\u2026 I still can\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n The race strategy on the day was a case of no heroics. With a 15-minute overall race lead over Centurion Vaude by Meerendal 2, Platt and Huber just had to enjoy the ride. \u201cEveryone was racing hard again, but we did what we could to control it,\u201d said Platt. \u201cThen a bunch made a break, but Urs and I decided to take it easy and just enjoy the last 20km.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>Karl Platt and Urs Huber of Team Bulls 1 celebrate at the finnishof the final stage (stage 7) of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Nicola Rohrbach of Centurion Vaude by Meerendal 2 during the final stage (stage 7) of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016. Photo by Gary Perkin\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n