High Heat and High Climbing
On March 19th, the 2024 Cape Epic saw its second stage unfold.
This was the longest stage of the race, with an anticipated challenge due to high temperatures baking the gravelly and dusty terrain, along with a cumulative climb of 2,200 meters. The riders started from Saronsberg, soon tackling a demanding ascent, following mountain trails up to Witzenberg Valley. They then circled around Witzenberg Valley before descending through a highly technical and difficult section back to the finish line. The combination of heat and elevation made Stage 2 a severe test of physical and mental resilience.
Stage 2 | March 19th
Difficulty: 4 Stars
Route: Saronsberg, Tulbagh
Distance: 97 km
Ascent: 2,200 m
Men’s Elite Category
Hans Becking and Wout Alleman’s Buff Megamo team dominated today’s race, overtaking Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini’s duo in the overall standings to take first place. Matthew Beers and Howard Grotts, part of the Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne team, finished third.
The start was relatively calm, with the main groups staying together, conserving energy for the upcoming climbs. However, before the tough ascent, defending stage champions World Bicycle Relief’s Sebastian Fini suffered a puncture, putting them at a disadvantage. The exact time lost was unknown, but it was enough to lose their advantage in the stage.
Due to the narrow track, World Bicycle Relief found it challenging to overtake after the puncture, encountering obstacles from the trailing teams. Combined with Wout Alleman’s exceptional performance, the gap widened.
Later, Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne’s Matthew Beers also experienced a puncture, dropping out of the breakaway group. Wilier Vitoria struggled to keep pace with the leaders and had to slow down. The breakaway group was eventually reduced to Speed Company and Buff Megamo, with Speed Company stopping for supplies, leaving Buff Megamo in control.
Buff Megamo crossed the finish line with a commanding lead, securing the yellow jersey. Meanwhile, World Bicycle Relief, despite the puncture, fought back to finish second, minimizing their losses.
Men’s Elite Category Stage 2 Top 3:
1st. Buff Megamo – Hans Becking / Wout Alleman: 4h 05′ 22″
2nd. World Bicycle Relief – Nino Schurter / Sebastian Fini: +2’02”
3rd. Orbea Leatt Speed Company – Georg Egger / Lukas Baum: +2’07”
Women’s Elite Category
After winning the prologue and Stage 1, Ghost Factory’s Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller completed their hat-trick, securing first place once again. The race seemed to be a three-team affair.
In the beginning, the triple champions Ghost Factory, double runners-up Cannondale Factory, and Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne, who were five minutes behind, were neck-and-neck until Candice Lill of Cannondale Factory had a puncture before the second water point. Although they managed to catch up later, Candice Lill punctured again but chose not to change her tire to maintain their lead.
Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne couldn’t keep up with the competition.
In the final 3 km, Ghost Factory Racing launched a strong attack, distancing themselves from Cannondale Factory Racing to secure their third consecutive stage victory. Unlucky Mona Mitterwallner and Candice Lill settled for another runner-up position, while Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne took third, maintaining consistent rankings since the start of the women’s competition.
Women’s Elite Category Stage 2 Top 3:
1st. Ghost Factory Racing – Anne Terpstra / Nicole Koller: 5:11:00
2nd. Cannondale Factory Racing – Mona Mitterwallner / Candice Lill: 5:11:07 / +7
3rd. Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne – Sofia Gomez Villafane / Samara Sheppard: 5:11:25 / +25