{"id":67588,"date":"2024-03-18T15:01:03","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T13:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=67588"},"modified":"2024-03-21T14:56:29","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T12:56:29","slug":"buff-megamo-and-ghost-factory-racing-sprint-to-victory-on-stage-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/buff-megamo-and-ghost-factory-racing-sprint-to-victory-on-stage-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Cape Epic Stage 1: BUFF-MEGAMO and GHOST Factory Racing sprint to victory"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NEWS | STAGE 1 | 2024 Absa Cape Epic\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GAB0PubM0YY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Hans Becking and Wout Alleman (BUFF-MEGAMO) won Stage 1 in the men\u2019s elite race at the 2024 Absa Cape Epic, while Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller (GHOST Factory Racing) were Stage 1 winners in the Aramex Women\u2019s category at Saronsberg Cellar in Tulbagh. Both the men\u2019s and the women\u2019s races concluded with thrilling sprint finishes after a fair amount of cat and mouse in the closing kilometres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f81bc8284d7&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f81bc8284d7\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9590.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67590\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9590.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9590-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9590-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wout Alleman and Hans Becking win Stage 1 of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Becking and Alleman, Low Country riders from the Netherlands and Belgium respectively, are flying high at this year\u2019s Cape Epic, with Alleman in thrilling form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He was in complete command of the BUFF-MEGAMO Stage 1 race strategy from start to finish, coolly guiding the team home in 3:38:48, two seconds ahead of Nino Schurter and Sebestian Fini (World Bicycle Relief).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the four riders entered the home stretch, Alleman surged to the line with Schurter in hot pursuit. Unfortunately for the World Bicycle Relief pair, Fini\u2019s chain snapped, allowing BUFF-MEGAMO to race over for a well-deserved stage win. Schurter and Fini remain in the overall leaders&#8217; Yellow Jersey, one minute and 10 seconds ahead of second-placed Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne (Matt Beers and Howard Grotts) and 90 seconds ahead of third-placed BUFF-MEGAMO in the GC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f81bc828925&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f81bc828925\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1288.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67591\" style=\"width:960px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1288.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1288-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1288-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Sam Clark\/Cape Epic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;m super happy with the stage win,\u201d said Becking. \u201cYesterday we started on a high with the podium and then after about 30km today I told Wout it was going to be a very good day for us. We paced it well and it worked out perfectly &#8211; Nino and Sebastian were just too strong to drop though. Still, six days to go and I&#8217;m thrilled to already have two podiums in the pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alleman added, \u201cI always tried to stay out in front of the racing today and managed that pretty well. In the beginning, the Speed Company guys went really hard up until the big climbs. We didn\u2019t try to race them but rather just managed our pace. It takes me a bit longer to get going these days, but today I felt good all the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The men\u2019s elite race on Stage 1 started in dramatic fashion with a multiple-bike pile-up in the first few kilometres as the elite field left Saronsberg Cellar. Thankfully, no riders, bikes or bicycle components were injured in the prang and the field was able to regroup and start racing again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f81bc828d20&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f81bc828d20\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9483.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67598\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9483.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9483-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9483-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matt Beers during Stage 1 of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Alleman looked focussed from the start, but as soon as the pack turned off the tar road and into the trails, Georg Egger and Lukas Baum (ORBEA LEATT Speed Company) attacked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BUFF-MEGAMO, World Bicycle Relief, Imbuko (Marco Joubert and Wessel Botha), Wilier Vittoria Factory (Fabian Rabensteiner and Samuele Porro), Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne and Pyga Euro Steel (Philip Buys and Pieter Du Toit) were all able to stay with Egger and Baum until the climbing started around the 57km mark of the 88km stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alleman put in a surge to shake loose the field, attacking again up the steep Fanti\u2019s Pass climb at 69km. At this point, only Schurter and Fini could respond and it looked like a two-horse race to the finish until Beers and Grotts surprisingly reappeared like long-lost twin brothers coming to claim a family inheritance with 10km to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Grotts, racing well despite two crashes on the day, dropped off again, leaving BUFF-MEGAMO and World Bicycle Relief alone to contend the sprint finish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe had our challenges today,\u201d said Beers. \u201cThere were a few crashes and we just fought our way back every time.\u201d Grotts added, \u201cTo be honest, it would have been nicer to be able to save a little bit of energy today, but all things considered, we didn&#8217;t lose that much time. We\u2019re still on the podium, still in the hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f81bc82914b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f81bc82914b\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9645.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67589\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9645.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9645-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_stage1_NickMuzik_9645-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nino Scurter, Sebastian Fini, Wout Alleman and Hans Becking, and Matt Beers and Howard Grotts on the podium during Stage 1 of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Factory Favourites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Aramex Women\u2019s category on Stage 1, there was little to separate GHOST Factory Racing (Teprstra and Koller) and Cannondale Factory Racing (Candice Lill and Mona Mitterwallner) until the final few metres, though earlier in the day it appeared that a blockbuster finish was on the cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f81bc82952a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f81bc82952a\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1431.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67593\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1431.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1431-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1431-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Riders during Stage 1 of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Saronsberg Wine Estate to Saronsberg Wine Estate, Tulbagh, South Africa on the 18th March 2024. Photo by Sam Clark\/Cape Epic\nPLEASE ENSURE THE APPROPRIATE CREDIT IS GIVEN TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND ABSA CAPE EPIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Up until the 50km mark, it was neck and neck between the GHOST, Cannondale, Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne (Sofia Gomez Villafane and Samara Sheppard) and Efficient Infiniti SCB SRAM (Vera Looser and Alexis Skarda) teams. At one stage ahead of the climbing, Villafane put in an attack, but GHOST and Cannondale both responded, with Lill charging into the front and staying there up until the very end (even with a slight wrong turn in the closing kilometres).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the finish at Saronsberg in sight, a two-team spring finish loomed; Lill powered ahead, but Terpstra and Koller were again the stronger team on the day, claiming their second stage win in as many days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f81bc8298b2&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f81bc8298b2\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_9823.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67594\" style=\"width:960px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_9823.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_9823-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_9823-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Sam Clark\/Cape Epic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They retain the overall Orange Leaders jersey in the Aramex Women\u2019s category, with Lill and Mitterwallner only a minute behind in the GC. Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne, third-placed in the GC, now sits six minutes behind the leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe weren\u2019t too sure what to expect today!\u201d said Anne Terpstra \u201cIt was very different being in Orange but I think all in all we did a really good job. We were on a very similar level with Cannondale &#8211; we did some more work in the beginning, and they did some more work in the end. We rode at our own pace in the beginning, then Cannondale were quite strong but we made a bit of a gap at the end and had a very exciting finish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GHOST teammate Nicole Koller added, \u201cIt\u2019s very cool to wear the Orange jersey. Everybody wants to wear it and it gives us motivation and confidence going into the rest of the week!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stage 2 of the Absa Cape Epic is another Saronsberg Cellar start and finish day, where participants will tackle 97km and 2200m of climbing. The bulk of the stage will take place in the Witzenberg Valley, where the sandy and rocky terrain will test the abilities of the entire field.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f81bc829c69&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f81bc829c69\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1448.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67595\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1448.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1448-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ACE24_S1_SamClark_1448-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Riders during Stage 1 of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Saronsberg Wine Estate to Saronsberg Wine Estate, Tulbagh, South Africa on the 18th March 2024. Photo by Sam Clark\/Cape Epic\nPLEASE ENSURE THE APPROPRIATE CREDIT IS GIVEN TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND ABSA CAPE EPIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hans Becking and Wout Alleman (BUFF-MEGAMO) won Stage 1 in the men\u2019s elite race at the 2024 Absa Cape Epic, while Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller (GHOST Factory Racing) were Stage 1 winners in the Aramex Women\u2019s category at Saronsberg Cellar in Tulbagh. Both the men\u2019s and the women\u2019s races concluded with thrilling sprint finishes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":67590,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[24],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-67588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-cape-epic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67588","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=67588"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67588\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67681,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67588\/revisions\/67681"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67588"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=67588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}