{"id":22362,"date":"2012-03-31T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-03-31T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/absa-cape-epic-stage-6-first-stage-win-for-sa39s-evans-and-george-r132\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T12:41:03","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T12:41:03","slug":"absa-cape-epic-stage-6-first-stage-win-for-sa39s-evans-and-george-r132","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/absa-cape-epic-stage-6-first-stage-win-for-sa39s-evans-and-george-r132\/","title":{"rendered":"Absa Cape Epic Stage 6: First stage win for SA’s Evans and George"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ACE2012Stage6-GB-287.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Kevin Evans and David George of Team 360LIFE win stage 6 of the 2012 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held in and around Oak Valley Wine Estate in the Elgin Valley, South Africa on the 31 March 2012<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Photo by Greg Beadle\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Stage six took riders from Oak Valley back to Oak Valley over a distance of 83km with 2 200m of climbing, but do not be fooled by the distance of this stage. It was a hard day of climbing and Nuweberg was the first big challenge with the dangling carrot of stunning vistas at the top. On the penultimate day, nearing the climax of race week, the grand old lady Groenlandberg appeared. Deep into this highly unique and remote landscape, riders would savour the solitude of the 30-kilometre of dual tracks through the pristine Cape Nature reserve as they tackled her in two parts. The first steady rise brought them to a rutted descent. From here the path contoured along the side of this beautiful mountain, then it was the final ascent towards the saddle, followed by yet another tricky, washed-out descent. Again, riders got to enjoy the twisting single track on Paul Cluver before finishing off with fast and flat single-track on Oak Valley.<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s Category<\/em><\/p>\n

\"ACE2012Stage6-GB-307.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

David George embraces team-mate Kevin Evans of Team 360LIFE after they won stage 6 of the 2012 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held in and around Oak Valley Wine Estate in the Elgin Valley, South Africa on the 31 March 2012<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Photo by Greg Beadle\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life showed their true form by winning Stage 6 of this year\u2019s Absa Cape Epic in a time of 3:38.05,8 (overall 29:37.36,3), 6 minutes and 44,5 seconds ahead of South African\u2013Swiss duo, Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized (3:44.50,3; overall 29:11.39,0). Alban Lakata and Robert Mennen of Topeak Ergon Racing finished in third place in 3:47.01,6 (29:43.14,0), with Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler of Multivan Merida Biking in fourth place in 3:47.05,3 (overall 29:40.26,0). In fifth place were the Bulls 2 team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme who finished in a time of 3:47.29,5 (overall 29:42.25,5) with the Bulls 1 team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm in sixth place in 3:50.34,9 (overall 30:24.39,5).<\/p>\n

Stander and Sauser (Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized) remain in the lead in this category by 25 minutes and 57,3 seconds. Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life have moved back onto the podium in second place overall, with Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler of Multivan Merida Biking in third place overall.<\/p>\n

Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life retain the Absa African leader jersey four the fourth consecutive day.<\/p>\n

Siphosenkosi Madolo and Azukile Simayile of Exxaro Academy 9 remain in the lead for the Exxaro Development jersey.<\/p>\n

Says today\u2019s winner Kevin Evans of 360Life: \u201cAt least today my wife\u2019s not stressed! And she\u2019s not here even though I asked her to come. I’m very happy. It\u2019s really good to get a win but even better to be on the overall podium. This year was such a rollercoaster ride for us. We\u2019ll be happy with finishing in second place and will work with that. The cheering and support are amazing. Today was very tough and hard, but we\u2019re feeling positive and will definitely have enough in the tank to get to Lourensford Wine Estate. What we\u2019ve been through made us very strong.\u201d Adds team mate David George: \u201c \u201cWe\u2019re ecstatic with the victory. It was so emotional – winning the stage meant so much. We came out fighting for the win – it was our intention to win this stage. But there is still one stage to go and it\u2019ll be important to race, but at the same time ride within ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ACE12_ST6_GP_18525.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

GRABOUW 31 March 2012 – Kevin Evans & David George of Team 360Life lead Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser of Songo-36One-Specialized stage 6 of the 2012 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held in and around Oak Valley Wine Estate in the Elgin Valley, South Africa on the 31 March 2012<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Photo by Gary Perkin\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Burry Stander of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized comments: \u201cWe didn’t set the pace today and just followed. They wanted to prove something and it\u2019s always hard to beat a team with a mindset like that. We just kept our own pace. We\u2019re still feeling strong and look forward to a cracker of a last day to Lourensford. We don’t know if we\u2019ll win the stage, but we\u2019ll definitely try. Maybe we can help Max and Kohei. It would be great to help them win a stage.\u201d Christoph Sauser adds: \u201cWe just rode at our own pace today. We didn’t need to take any chances and the most important part was to get back safely today and to finish tomorrow. I think it\u2019s only big mechanicals that can rob us of an overall victory now. We\u2019ll be focused to finish safely and will definitely try to help Max and Kohei to win at Lourensford Wine Estate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alban Lakata of Topeak Ergon Racing says the Absa Cape Epic is a rollercoaster. \u201cEvery day I feel different. One day I feel strong and the next day I’m suffering. We\u2019re very happy to be on the podium again and really look forward to a strong finish at Lourensford tomorrow.\u201d His team mate Robert Mennen adds: \u201cI\u2019m feeling better than I expected and I\u2019m also happy. Tomorrow is our last chance to try and get on the overall podium because that was our goal from the start.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bulls 2 team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme dropped off the overall podium today. Says Tim Boehme: \u201cToday was just not my day. I suffered the whole day. When 360Life attacked, we just couldn’t do anything about it.” Adds Thomas Dietsch: \u201cI suffered at the start and it was only on Groenlandberg that I found my legs. It\u2019s disappointing to have lost our spot in the GC (General Classification), but it\u2019s just so tough this Cape Epic.”<\/p>\n

\"ACE2012Stage6-GB-22.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The lead bunch set off into stage 6 of the 2012 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held in and around Oak Valley Wine Estate in the Elgin Valley, South Africa on the 31 March 2012<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Photo by Greg Beadle\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ladies Category<\/em><\/p>\n

The Ladies category was again won by Sally Bigham and Esther S\u00fcss of Wheels4Life in 4:35.45,3 (35:19.59,6), securing their sixth stage win in this year\u2019s Absa Cape Epic. They were followed by the Biogen Britehouse team of Theresa Ralph and Nina G\u00e4ssler in 4:43.57,9 (overall 36:07.01,0). Karien van Jaarsveld and Jane N\u00fcssli of MTN Qhubeka finished in third place in a time of 4:49.50,3 (overall 36:47.14,5).<\/p>\n

Bigham and S\u00fcss (Wheels4Life) lead the Biogen Britehouse team Theresa Ralph and Nina G\u00e4ssler by 47 minutes and 1,4 seconds. MTN Qhubeka\u2019s Karien van Jaarsveld and Jane N\u00fcssli remain in third place overall.<\/p>\n

The amateur team of Theresa Ralph and Nina G\u00e4ssler of Biogen Britehouse has done exceptionally well at this year\u2019s Absa Cape Epic, competing against some of the world\u2019s most experienced professional female riders. Says Nina G\u00e4ssler of Biogen Britehouse: \u201cI can smile again today. I enjoyed the stage with its nice trails so much. We just wanted to finish on the podium in one stage \u2013 that was our dream beforehand and we\u2019ve surpassed that. To be second behind Sally and Esther is like first place for us. They are my idols.\u201d Adds Theresa Ralph: \u201cWe had so much fun and it was much better than yesterday. We knew parts of today\u2019s route and that made it all the more enjoyable. We enjoyed racing today – yesterday was survival and not racing. Getting safely to the finish and enjoying the feeling is the only plan for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Karien van Jaarsveld of MTN Qhubeka adds: “We just want to get safely to the finish line tomorrow. It was a hard race.”<\/p>\n

Telkom Business Master\u2019s Category<\/em><\/p>\n

Bart Brentjens and Jan Weevers of World Bicycle Relief secured their second stage win in 4:07.22,9 (overall 32:46.34,1). They were followed by the Jag Craft team of Adrian Enthoven and Delaney Impey in 4:42.31,2 (overall 34:04.15,1). Dennis du Toit and Noel Droomer of Samaritan\u2019s Feet 2 secured their first podium finish today in 4:45.38,0 (overall 36:53.13,8)<\/p>\n

Nico Pfitzenmaier and Robert Sim of Robert Daniel Momsen decided not to withdraw after Pfitzenmaier\u2019s bad fall and injuries yesterday, but to ride at an easy pace and try to complete this year\u2019s event. <\/p>\n

Bart Brentjens and Jan Weevers now lead the Masters category by 1 hour, 17 minutes and 41 seconds. Adrian Enthoven and Delaney Impey of Jag Craft moved up to second place with Warren Squires and Scott Mckenzie of Complete Cyclist in third place overall.<\/p>\n

Bart Brentjens of World Bicycle Relief says he it was great to win this stage. \u201cBut an easy stage it wasn’t. Every day at the Absa Cape Epic is hard and today was no different. It was a beautiful stage though. I’m glad we kept the lead and we\u2019re now looking forward to the finish.” Adds Jan Weevers: \u201cI now realise that I wasn’t ready for the Cape Epic at all. It\u2019s getting better though. I found my rhythm and can enjoy it. I’ve done lots of races in my career, but the Cape Epic has become one of my favourites.”<\/p>\n

Mixed Category<\/em><\/p>\n

Showing no strain after yesterday\u2019s tough stage in which Ariane Kleinhans developed hyperthermia, the Contego 28E team of Erik and Ariane Kleinhans won the Mixed category for the sixth day in a row in 4:36.42,8 (overall 34:26.29,2). They were followed by Udo Boelts and Milena Landtwing of Centurion Vaude in a time of 4:46.13,7 (overall 36:19.49,0), followed by Klaas Vanmoortel and Inne Gantois of BAiK-Peak Performance Brugge in 4:52.04,7 (overall 37:13.58,9).<\/p>\n

Erik and Ariane Kleinhans of Contego 28E lead Udo Boelts and Milena Landtwing of Centurion Vaude by 1 hour, 53 minutes and 19 seconds. Klaas Vanmoortel and Inne Gantois of BAiK-Peak Performance Brugge remain in third place overall.<\/p>\n

Says Udo Boelts of Centurion Vaude: “We\u2019re feeling good again but the Absa Cape Epic only finishes at Lourensford Wine Estate tomorrow and we\u2019ll relax then. Today was so much better after all the mechanicals and suffering of the previous days. I must be honest, we\u2019re very happy with our second place overall. It\u2019s Milena\u2019s first Absa Cape Epic and it\u2019s very tough for her. She said that the TransAlp is kids\u2019 stuff compared to this event. Riding in the Mixed category is totally different and harder than racing in the Masters, but all in all this was a special experience for both of us.\u201d Adds Milena Landtwing: \u201cToday was a good day. I’m not going to say that I’m enjoying the experience… maybe tomorrow, but this was so hard. I just want to get to the finish now.\u201d<\/p>\n

STAGE SEVEN \u2013 FINAL STAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start and finish: Oak Valley\/Elgin to Lourensford Wine Estate (64km, 1350m of climbing)<\/p>\n

Dr. Evil has found a new way to the Champs Elysees of mountain biking, again reminding riders there\u2019s no easy day at the Absa Cape Epic. Lourensford Wine Estate awaits the tired athletes as they make their way from Oak Valley over Twin Peaks above the Elgin Dam and down the ever-familiar portage section of Gamtouw Pass. Once again, participants follow the footsteps of the Voortrekkers, their tyres tracing the wagon-wheel grooves down to Journeys End Winery. The last water point offers a final reward, before a last test of resolve \u2013 a few steep ascents with magnificent views of False Bay and Table Mountain. Once again, Lourensford Wine Estate hosts the Grand Finale festivities as riders experience that bitter-sweet feeling at the end of the arduous, yet epic journey of the Absa Cape Epic.<\/p>\n

Follow the riders on the live site at www.cape-epic.com<\/a>, the mobi site (m.cape-epic.com, on Twitter (#absacapeepic), Facebook (www.facebook.com\/capeepic<\/a>) and YouTube (www.youtube.com\/absacapeepic<\/a>).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kevin Evans and David George of Team 360LIFE win stage 6 of the 2012 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held in and around Oak Valley Wine Estate in the Elgin Valley, South Africa on the 31 March 2012 Photo by Greg Beadle\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS Stage six took riders from Oak Valley back to Oak […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":53819,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-22362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22362"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22362\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22362"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=22362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}