{"id":62389,"date":"2023-03-26T17:47:14","date_gmt":"2023-03-26T15:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=62389"},"modified":"2023-03-26T17:48:00","modified_gmt":"2023-03-26T15:48:00","slug":"beers-and-blevins-win-2023-absa-cape-epic-looser-and-le-court-triumphant-in-womens-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/beers-and-blevins-win-2023-absa-cape-epic-looser-and-le-court-triumphant-in-womens-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Beers and Blevins win 2023 Absa Cape Epic, Looser and Le Court triumphant in Women\u2019s race"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Matt Beers and Christopher Blevins (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) won the 2023 Absa Cape Epic at Val de Vie Estate in Paarl on Sunday, 26 March. In the CM.com Women\u2019s category, Vera Looser and Kim le Court (Efficient Infiniti Insure) are the 2023 Champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Kim LeCourt, Vera Looser, Christopher Blevins and Matt Beers are the 2023 ABSA Cape Epic Champions at Val da Vie Estate, Paarl, South Africa on the 26th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Men\u2019s race on Stage 7 of the Absa Cape Epic – the Grand Finale – was won by Lukas Baum and Georg Egger (ORBEA x Leatt x Speed Company). In the Cm.com Women\u2019s race, Greete Steinburg and Monica Yuliana Calderon Martinez (Cannondale Vas Arabay) took stage honours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All eyes, though, were on the overall standings when the final day of racing began at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West. Nino Schurter and Andri Frischknecht (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing) started Stage 7 in the yellow Ciovita leader jerseys, 90 seconds ahead of the second-placed Blevins and Beers and five-and-a-half minutes ahead of 2022 winners, Egger and Baum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frischknecht has had to dig deep all week on the brutal climbs of The Untamed African Mountain Bike Race, so it was no surprise that the early attack from the chasing teams came on the very first \u201cSaddle\u201d climb out of Lourensford. Schurter countered, but SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing had no answer to the power of Beers and Blevins as the South Africa-United States combo powered away. From that moment on, SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing continued to fall back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Andri Frischknecht and Nino Schurter during stage 7 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Lourensford Wine Estate to Val da Vie Estate, Paarl, South Africa on the 26th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beers and Blevins rode alone for much of the first 20km, with Baum, Egger and Singer Racing (Martin Frey and Simon Stiebjahn) joining the lead bunch before the climb up Botmaskop. Also in attendance was lone Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne 2 rider, Tristan Nortje, riding in support of his A team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That was the status of the Men\u2019s race until the final 20km, when Baum and Egger made a surprise surge for the finish line. They couldn\u2019t drop the Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne team or Singer Racing and all three teams made it to the Val de Vie Estate finish area together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Riders during stage 7 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West to Val de Vie, Paarl, South Africa on the 26 th March 2023. Photo: Sam Clark \/ Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Frey and Stiebjahn, content to ride hard but not interfere in the general classification race, looked to have set themselves up for a stage win – until Martin Frey inexplicably went flying over the handlebars on the home stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stiebjahn powered ahead, not realising his partner was in a heap on the grass. The crash allowed Baum and Egger to take stage honours, with Beers and Blevins calmly rolling over the line, ready for the official timer to kick in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne knew they\u2019d put some time into the lead of SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing, and sensed it was enough for the overall win, but it was only when the time passed a minute-and-a-half, with Schurter and Frischknecht nowhere to be seen, that they knew the 2023 Absa Cape Epic title was theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe knew from last night that there was only one way to win today, and that was to go for it right from the start,\u201d said Christopher Blevins. \u201cWe train so hard for these races and went through so much this week; it\u2019s very special and satisfying when it all comes together like it did today. We heard bits and pieces of news from the route, so we knew we were ahead but you never really know. The only answer is to keep going as hard as you can. We suffered out there from start to finish but it\u2019s worth it and such an honour to win the Absa Cape Epic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Matt Beers and Christopher Blevins during stage 7 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Lourensford Wine Estate to Val da Vie Estate, Paarl, South Africa on the 26th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Matt Beers, now a two-time champion of the Absa Cape Epic, was thrilled with the performance and the crowd support. \u201cThat was a great win, not just the ride today, but the entire week. We had to come from a really dark place after battling on Stage 1 and I think that just shows how strong our partnership is and how much we believe in each other. We both really helped each other this week. There was so much crowd support out there for us; I think we rode that last stage on pure adrenalin. I am completely spent now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the CM.com Women\u2019s category, the efforts of the week seemed to finally take their toll on Amy Wakefield and Candice Lill (e-FORT.net | SeattleCoffeeCo). After a freak accident and subsequent surgery for Wakefield, and the drama of the broken rim on Stage 6, the e-FORT. net | SeattleCoffeeCo pair dropped off the pace early into the Grand Finale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Riders during stage 7 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West to Val de Vie, Paarl, South Africa on the 26 th March 2023. Photo: Sam Clark \/ Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Amy Wakefield during stage 7 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West to Val de Vie, Paarl, South Africa on the 26 th March 2023. Photo: Sam Clark \/ Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Orange jersey wearers Looser and Le Court led the stage throughout the 80km, alongside eventual stage winners Steinburg and Calderon (Cannondale Vas Arabay). There was little incident to speak of in the Women\u2019s race, with the leading two teams seemingly happy to ride together. Once on the Val de Vie Estate finish stretch, Le Court and Looser dropped back slightly, allowing Cannondale Vas Arabay to take the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is amazing,\u201d said Steinburg of the team\u2019s stage win. \u201cThis is our first season together and to win the Grand Finale of the Absa Cape Epic is something incredibly special. We started well, stuck with the leaders and just kept going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2023 Absa Cape Epic Champion in the CM.com Women\u2019s category, Kim Le Court, could barely get her words out. \u201cWe did it\u201d was all she could muster as champagne sprayed all around her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is such an amazing feeling,\u201d added Looser. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long hard week and we had to dig really deep, but we made it. I think we need a week or two to let it sink in!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kim LeCourt and Vera Looser win the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Lourensford Wine Estate to Val da Vie Estate, Paarl, South Africa on the 26th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Taking a moment to compose herself, Le Court added, \u201cwe had a reasonable time gap this morning, so we knew we just had to ride well and stay consistent. We were happy to let Cannondale Vas Arabay do the work at the front. We did say to them \u2018if you guys do the work you can have the glory of the stage win and we\u2019ll have the glory of the overall win\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Wakefield and Lill, it was a brutal week of emotions but they still managed to finish the final stage with smiles. \u201cYesterday I was so bleak,\u201d admitted Wakefield. \u201cBut then I looked at all the messages on social media and I was in tears. I was so touched by the support. You couldn\u2019t make up the things that happened to us this week, but we just kept going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lill added succinctly, \u201cIt\u2019s been an insane week. We\u2019ve been through all the highs and lows.\u201d Proof, yet again, that anything can happen at the Absa Cape Epic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 Absa Cape Epic Stage 7 Results:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Men\u2019s category:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Orbea X Leatt X Speed Company: Georg Egger, Lukas Baum \u2013 03:07:26.4<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne: Matthew Beers, Christopher Blevins \u2013 03:07:36.7 (+00:00:10.3)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Singer Racing: Simon Stiebjahn, Martin Frey \u2013 03:08:22.7 (+00:00:56.2)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    CM.com Women\u2019s category:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Cannondale Vas Arabay: Greete Steinburg, Monica Yuliana Calderon Martinez \u2013 04:02:50.5<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Efficient Infiniti Insure: Kim le Court, Vera Looser \u2013 04:03:08.9 (+00:00:18.4)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. e-FORT. net | SeattleCoffeeCo.: Amy Wakefield, Candice Lill \u2013 04:10:20.8 (+00:07:30.3)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      \"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
      The overall womens podium (L-R) e-FORT.net | SeattleCoffeeCo, Efficient Infiniti Insure and NinetyOne-Songo-Specialized during stage 7 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Lourensford Wine Estate to Val da Vie Estate, Paarl, South Africa on the 26th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
      The mens overall podium(L-R) ORBEA x Leatt x Speed Company, Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne and Scott-SRAM MTB Racing during stage 7 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Lourensford Wine Estate to Val da Vie Estate, Paarl, South Africa on the 26th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
      The mens overall podium(L-R) ORBEA x Leatt x Speed Company, Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne and Scott-SRAM MTB Racing celebrate during stage 7 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Lourensford Wine Estate to Val da Vie Estate, Paarl, South Africa on the 26th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      2023 Absa Cape Epic General Classification After Stage 7:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Men\u2019s category:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne: Matthew Beers, Christopher Blevins \u2013 26:17:04<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Orbea X Leatt X Speed Company: Georg Egger, Lukas Baum \u2013 26:20:53.5 (+00:03:49.5)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. SCOTT-SRAM MTB-Racing: Nino Schurter, Andri Frischknecht \u2013 26:21:15.6 (+00:04:11.5)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        CM.com Women\u2019s category:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Efficient Infiniti Insure: Kim le Court, Vera Looser \u2013 33:11:37.7<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. e-FORT. net | SeattleCoffeeCo.: Amy Wakefield, Candice Lill \u2013 33:44:02.3 (+00:32:24.6)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. NinetyOne-songo-Specialized: Sofia Gomez Villafane, Katerina Nash \u2013 33:54:55.4 (+00:43:17.7)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          View the full Stage 7 results here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Entries to the 2024 Absa Cape Epic<\/a> open on 27 March 2023.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Matt Beers and Christopher Blevins (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) won the 2023 Absa Cape Epic at Val de Vie Estate in Paarl on Sunday, 26 March. In the CM.com Women\u2019s category, Vera Looser and Kim le Court (Efficient Infiniti Insure) are the 2023 Champions. The Men\u2019s race on Stage 7 of the Absa Cape Epic – the Grand […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":62396,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[76,24],"featured_location":[337],"class_list":["post-62389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-absa-cape-epic","tag-cape-epic","featured_location-top-row"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62389","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\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62389"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62389\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62408,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62389\/revisions\/62408"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62389"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=62389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}