ABSA Cape Epic 2016 – Prologue – #EpicEnergadeMoment

The 2017 Absa Cape Epic started exactly as they 2016 edition ended, with Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini (Cannondale Factor Racing XC) powering onto the Meerendal Wine Estate fields to take the win. Last year the pair claimed the final stage of the Cape Epic; this year they put their considerable cross-country talents to good use to out-race a star-studded field to claim the 26km Prologue at a blazing hot Meerendal. 2016 Olympic cross-country champion Nino Schurter and teammate Matthias...

Jaroslav Kulhavy from had a crash near the end of the stage, relinquishing their chances of stage win. Meanwhile Sabine Spitz went over her bars just before the Haarkappers ascent after water point 2, opening up a nasty gash above her left eye. Spitz went on to finish the stage.

On the 101km route that started and finished at Hermanus High School, Fumic and Avancini raced home in a time of 4:25.35, which means they retain the overall lead and the yellow jersey. They admitted, though, that an unfortunate tumble by Jaroslav Kulhavy around 5km to go allowed them to cross the line first. The first stage of the 2017 Cape Epic will start and finish at Hermanus High School. It will take the riders through 101 kilometers’ distance and 2300 meters climbing. Amazing Landsca...

Jaroslav Kulhavy and Christoph Sauser were first over the line in a thrilling sprint finish to claim their first stage win of the 2017 event, with Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann just behind in second. Overall leaders Manual Fumic and Henrique Avancini were in the sprint but finished third on the day and hold a decent two minute-plus lead over Sauser and Kulhavy in the race for the Absa Cape Epic title.

In this clip an athlete got some difficulties with his foot pedal. He continues the race with just one pedal until he reaches the next water point, where he can fix it up.