![\"ccs-62657-0-31692600-1423976671.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-31692600-1423976671.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nStefan Sahm of Team Bulls, leads the front pack during the first half of Stage 2 of the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek on Saturday. Sahm went on to win the stage overall and extend his lead in the Solo men’s division. \/\/ Photo credit: www.oakpics.com<\/span><\/p>\n From the beginning of the 89km stage, which started in cool conditions, the pace was rapid and the atmosphere combative and, while it may have broken the spirits of most of the 600-strong field, the 20km long Merino Monster climb, and subsequent descent, proved to be the deciding factor in the stage wins of the racing categories.<\/p>\n Erik Kleinhans and James Reid (Team RECM) managed to win their second successive stage and extend their overall lead in the Men\u2019s Team division with one stage remaining. But they were two minutes behind the first rider home, Germany\u2019s three-time Cape Epic winner, Stefan Sahm (Team Bulls), who is competing in \u2013 and dominating \u2013 the Solo men\u2019s category.<\/p>\n Robyn de Groot gives Ascendis Health teammate, Jennie Stenerhag a push on the way up the Merino Monster mountain ascent during Stage 2 of the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek on Saturday. The pair went on to win the stage and extend their overall lead. \/\/ Photo credit: www.oakpics.com<\/span><\/p>\n The first women home were once again the Ascendis Health pair of Robyn de Groot and Jennie Stenerhag, while the first Solo woman was Great Britain\u2019s Catherine Williamson (Asrin Cycling). The top mixed pair was Asrin Cycling\u2019s Candice Neethling and Craig Boyes. All were repeat winners so have now extended their respective General Classification leads with Sunday\u2019s final leg to come.<\/p>\n \u201cErik was once again super strong today. He put the pressure on the rest from the start and it was a relentless pace,\u201d explained Team RECM’s James Reid.<\/p>\n Nearest rivals Waylon Woolcock and Darren Lill (Red-E Blend) suffered an early setback when a thorn bush became tangled in Woolcock\u2019s rear wheel on the first long descent. They lost two-and-a-half minutes and had to chase hard to rejoin the leaders.<\/p>\n The battle for supremacy on the climb up the Merino Monster on Stage 2 of the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek was between the Red-E Blend pair of Darren Lill and Waylon Woolcock, the Team RECM pair of Erik Kleinhans and James Reid and Team Bulls’ Stefan Sahm. \/\/ Photo credit: www.oakpics.com<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe were ahead with Stefan (Sahm) by the time we reached the big climb. Then about half way up Waylon and Darren caught us and actually put in an attack!\u201d recalled Reid.<\/p>\n But the five riders soon regrouped and Kleinhans surged near the top to claim the cash prize for the first rider to the summit. Sahm, Kleinhans and Reid relished the almost 10km long, technical descent, putting time into the less-skilled descenders, Woolcock and Lill. They managed to stay clear until the finish, with Sahm charging ahead to secure the overall stage win.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n