Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini, racing as World Bicycle Relief, scorched their way around the Prologue stage in Somerset West to claim the early lead at the 2023 Absa Cape Epic on Sunday
Taking place within the confines of Lourensford Wine Estate, the 2024 Prologue provided the typical tests of tough climbs, dusty descents and ever-rising late-summer temperatures. Handling the challenges – and their bikes – best on the day were 10-time World Champion, Schurter and his young Danish teammate, Fini.
In Fini, Schurter seems to have secured a partner who can match his enthusiasm and speed – at least in the Prologue. Fini was stuck like a child’s craft-set glitter to the two-time Cape Epic winner, with the pair racing home in 1:02:38 for first place. South Africa’s defending champion, Matt Beers and American Howard Grotts (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) took second place in 1:03:29, with Hans Becking and Wout Alleman (Buff Megamo) rounding out the top three. Grotts, the 2018 Cape Epic winner, was reintroduced to the joys of cycling in South Africa when he was forced to bunny-hop over a puff adder at one point on the stage.
Sneaky snakes, aside, all three of the men’s top teams rode blemish-free Prologues, with Schurter and Fini having the edge on the steep climbs (though their descending was impressive too). Arguably, though, the ride of the day came from South African duo Marco Joubert and Wessel Botha (Imbuko).
Starting as the 18th-best team in the Prologue, Joubert and Botha scorched through the field and the route to finish in a time of 1:04:15 – this with Joubert crashing twice (first when he was looking at a spectator rather than the route and second just before the floating bridge). This put them in fourth overall and leading the Absa African Team category.
For seven-time starter, Schurter, this was only his second Prologue win at the Absa Cape Epic. “Coming here from Europe, I thought ‘Okay, it’s not too hot’ but it was brutal out there. On the climbs, the air was just standing still – so I think maybe we went too fast in the beginning and suffered towards the end, but still very happy with the result.
“Sebastian and I worked well together on that route. We have similar strengths and I think that showed in the racing today. Some long days are coming up. The competition will be tight, but that’s what I enjoy. That’s why I am here.”
Lauris Purnins and Oskars Muiznieks of Latvian Wannabe Pro Cycling took the stage in the Amateur Men’s category featuring riders aged 19-39 who are not UCI registered professionals. Purnins and Muiznieks will wear the white leader jerseys on Stage 1. They were followed by Team Alilililili (Simeon Niederer and Patric Tinner) some 2 minutes and 19 seconds back, with China MTB team (Kuanjie Feng and Jun Zhu) in third.
Bulls Masters team, represented by multiple Absa Cape Epic champ, Karl Platt and Tomás Misser Vilaseca, claimed the top spot overall with an impressive time of 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 34 seconds in the NTT Masters Men category. They were closely followed by Team CzechRocket & SwissDiesel, comprising Pavel Gonda and Tobias Lüthi, who secured the second position with a commendable time of 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 17 seconds, trailing the Bulls Masters by 1 minute and 43 seconds. The Absa Masters team, led by Craig Uria and Michael Posthumus crossed the line in third.
In the Grand Masters Men category, Pedal Project’s Oliver Imfeld and Thomas Jauner claimed first place with Abraao Azevedo and Peter Vesel (KMC AAZ Sports) second with Inga de Villiers and Fanie Venter (LGE Mida) rounding out the podium.
In the Great Grand Masters Men, Barti Bucher and Peter Furrur (Meerendal) blazed their way to a dominant win over six minutes ahead of Ralf Kropp and Rene Vallee (Forestiere & C&C) with Frank Snyman and Atle Hanson (Toshiba Namibia) in third.
Exxaro Special Jersey
Fairtree DPworld Cannondale secured the top position with Kusaselihle Ngidi and Damon Terblanche finishing in 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 46 seconds. They will don the green jerseys in Tulbagh. The Coopetto followed closely behind, claiming second place with Halalisani Njabulo Ndebele and Siyanda Gumede crossing the finish line just 14 seconds later, clocking in at 1 hour, 15 minutes. Third went to Fairtree DP World Can 3’s Ziandro Jordaan and Ongeziwe Tyapa.
Absa African Men
Marco Joubert and Wessel Botha of Imbuko A finished the stage in fourth overall to storm into the red Absa African Special jersey. They hold a 1:24 lead over Honeycomb Pro Cycling’s Marc Pritzen and Tristan Nortje, with Pyga Euro Steel’s Phil Buys and Pieter du Toit a handful of seconds back in third.
Stage 1 of the Absa Cape Epic promises to be a classic marathon day, featuring challenging climbs that are bound to split up the field and separate contenders from those feeling the ill affects of their efforts in the heat at Lourensford. The heat will no doubt remain a theme however as it is forecast to push well up into the mid-thirties (Centigrade) on Monday. While the course seems favourable on paper for many teams, recent years have shown that the long first stage often provides big shake-ups. The final climb, Fanties Pass, is arguably the toughest single climb of this year’s race. Stay tuned to the live stream for fireworks!
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
