![\"ccs-62657-0-58174800-1457877509.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-58174800-1457877509.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Jennie Stenerhag (front) Robyn de Groot (Rear) todays winning ladies during the Prologue of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 13th March 2016. Photo by Sam Clark\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\nIn an exciting race, Ascendis Health\u2019s South African\/Swedish duo beat the 2014 and 2015 women\u2019s winners and 2016 favourites Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad into second place by 18 seconds.<\/p>\n
Having to navigate the windy, dry conditions meant that neither De Groot nor Stenerhag were aware they were riding into first spot. \u201cTo be honest, I didn\u2019t think we were doing a fantastic time, we just rode within ourselves,\u201d said De Groot minutes after they crossed the finish line.<\/p>\n
Stenerhag, equally as surprised, said: \u201cWe didn\u2019t plan anything, we just wanted to do our best. We both had some patches of suffering and some patches of feeling really good, and they didn\u2019t happen at the same time which was a really good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both were elated to win the Prologue. \u201cA win is a win, and last year we won a stage under circumstances we didn\u2019t really want to win, so this fair and square win is what we want,\u201d said De Groot.<\/p>\n
The gusting wind affected all riders, making it especially tough for the women, who are generally lighter than the men.<\/p>\n \u201cThe wind was really strong, it was pushing hard. On the climbs you almost fell off the bike. It was hard work just to keep on the bike,\u201d said fourth place finisher, Adel Morath \u2013 Topeak Ergon.<\/p>\n Team Spur-Specialized, the 2015 winners, were satisfied with their second place, and complimentary of the winning team, Ascendis Health.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt very good, I had a good race today, unfortunately not good enough for first place, but a really big congrats to Jennie and Robyn,\u201d said Kleinhans.<\/p>\n \u201cI like Meerendal as a prologue venue because there is much more singletrack and it\u2019s much more technical \u2013 I really enjoy it,\u201d said Ariane. \u201cIt\u2019s so much fun riding here especially coming into the finish with a lot of berms and table tops. It\u2019s a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>Team Spur-Specialized’s Annika Langvad and Ariane Kleinhans ascends Dorstberg on their way to 2nd place during the Prologue of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 13th March 2016. Photo by Ewald Sadie\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n