![\"ccs-41808-0-63582600-1394804454.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-41808-0-63582600-1394804454.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nImage credit: Karin Schermbrucker\/Cape Epic\/ SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n Will Swiss national but Stellenbosch resident Ariane Kleinhans or her countrywoman Esther S\u00fcss stand on top of the podium at Lourensford wine estate, Somerset West, on March 30 after 718km of racing through the Western Cape? Or could the vagaries of eight days of challenging riding – mechanical problems, injuries or illness being the most common – undermine the favourites and hand the win to one of the lesser-fancied teams? An added incentive this year is the biggest pot of prize money ever put up for a women\u2019s race – R690 000, matching that of the elite men\u2019s riders.<\/p>\n Kleinhans has won the mixed category of the race for the past two years with her husband Erik, the South African professional. This year though she will be joined by Denmark\u2019s Annika Langvad as Team RECM 2 in the women\u2019s division.<\/p>\n Langvad has won the world marathon championship twice and, together with Kleinhans, comfortably took first place in their category in the Cape Pioneer Trek in October of last year. \u201cShe was a machine. She\u2019s a complete rider – a good climber and very good technically, \u201d said Kleinhans, adding that \u201cwe definitely want to win it\u201d.<\/p>\n Much-decorated veteran S\u00fcss is also eyeing the win and will be reunited with Briton Sally Bigham in Team Meerendal 3. The pair won the category in the 2012 Cape Epic and each has tasted success in the race before: S\u00fcss twice winning the mixed category and Bigham the women\u2019s category in 2011 with Karien van Jaarsveld.<\/p>\n