Ghost Factory Racing’s Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller experienced debutant delight on a hot and dusty prologue stage when they claimed the win and the early overall lead in the Aramex Women’s Category at the Absa Cape Epic.
Ghost Factory Racing and Cannondale Factory Racing (Candice Lill and Mona Mitterwallner) appeared to be neck-and-neck in the early stages, but the heat proved too much for Austrian rider Mitterwallner. Cannondale Factory Racing faded towards the end of the stage, allowing Ghost Factory Racing’s Terpstra and Koller to surge ahead.
“I struggled with the heat today,” said Mitterwallner on the finish line. “I think I got a heat stroke for the first time in my life. My heart rate was sitting at 195 and wouldn’t get below 190, so I couldn’t recover in the descents. Then I got cold and shaky. I was just trying to survive to the finish.”
Cannondale teammate Lill was happy with the second place, though, knowing that there’s a long, hard week of racing to come. “It’s always a shock to the system to start the week with such a hard effort, but I think we rode well. It’s always good to get the Prologue out the way, take some positivity into the week and focus on the racing.”
Terpstra and Koller were all focus, all morning, to claim their first stage win at their first attempt. Both riders are racing the Cape Epic for the first time and took to the trails like seasoned veterans. The team rode smoothly throughout the 27km stage, barely putting a pedal stroke wrong as they calmly navigated the course.
It was around the halfway point in the stage where Cannondale Factory Racing started to drop off the pace, allowing Ghost Factory Racing to spirit away the stage victory.
“We are very happy with a stage win,” said Terpstra. “We weren’t expecting that at all. We just wanted to ride at our own pace but then we started going nicely and getting faster. It was hot out there. And dusty. I am looking forward to a shower!”
2022 Aramex Women’s Category winner Sofia Gomez Villafane, riding with Samara Sheppard (Toyota-Specialized-Ninetyone), finished third on the day, one minute and 11 seconds off the lead.
In the amateur women’s category, team Ar&Co, composed of Paula Lopez and Alejandra Cristina Tattenbach Arias, outclassed Krista Pūcīte and Beate Kovgere of Team RoadexEMU by 6 minutes and 15 seconds. The Young&Brave outfit of Tanja Schutte and Iliska Verwey-Schutte, also put up a strong performance, to cross the line in Lourensford in third.
In the Absa African Jersey contest, Efficient Infiniti Insure’s Steph Wohlters and Danielle Strydom have a 2:24 buffer over Sarah Hill and Hayley Smith of #SheUntamed. Third is Juanita Mackenzie and Mandi Augustyn of Team Elements.
Toyota Gazoo Racing, Riaan Weideman and Samantha Sanders took line honours with e-FORT Mix team, represented by Elrika Harmzen-Pretorius and Alexander Lawrance some 44 seconds back. The CBZ Asfaltos team, led by Alejandro Blanco and Kristel Espinoza rounded out the stage podium.
In the Masters Women category, Untamed Spirit, with Marisa Van Der Linde and Mari Du Toit, secured first place. Asterix&Cleopatra, represented by Nina Brenn and Barbara Schwarz, claimed second place. Taking the third spot is ILoveBoobies #FortyFour, led by Chantélle Bosch and Jozanne Louw.
In the Grand Masters Women category, Michelle Lombardi and Hanlie Booyens (Toyota Memory Keepers) emerged victorious. Rola Motor Group’s Comine Claasen and Fiona Austin claimed second place and Ann Harrison and Ingrid Avidon (Absolutely SheUntamed) rounded out the top three positions.
Monday’s Stage 1 of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic will see riders tackle the tricky terrain of Tulbagh in an 88km ride featuring 2450m of climbing. As always at the Cape Epic, though, it could be the elements that have the final say.
How to Watch
To watch the racing action unfold, tune in to the daily live broadcast on the Epic Series’ YouTube channel, from Sunday, 17 March. Fans of mountain biking can also share in the excitement of the race by following @capeepic on Instagram or by liking the Cape Epic Facebook page. For more information please visit www.epic-series.com/capeepic or click here to view the full 2024 race register.
GALLERY
