The real challenge begins now.
The official race of the 2024 Cape Epic kicked off on March 18th, marking the start of the true test.
Stage 1 | March 18th
Difficulty Rating: 4.5 Stars
Route: Saronsberg
Distance: 88 km
Ascent: 2450 m
Men’s Elite Category
Speed Company Racing’s Georg Egger and Lukas Baum finished sixth in the opening stage, a result that was not satisfactory for the former champions. In Stage 1, they aimed for a better position with their tried-and-tested “No Pussy” strategy, pushing hard from the start.
At kilometer 57, the leading group encountered the second long climb of the day, where Buff Megamo’s Hans Becking and Wout Alleman launched an attack. Wout Alleman set the pace, increasing the tempo, causing the lead group to fragment. By kilometer 69, only Buff Megamo and World Bicycle Relief remained at the front, with Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne slightly behind.
Matthew Beers and Howard Grotts didn’t let this situation last long, riding at their own pace and almost catching up to the leaders. However, they narrowly missed the final sprint, finishing third, 21 seconds behind.
The battle for the stage win came down to Buff Megamo and World Bicycle Relief.
Sebastian Fini experienced a chain malfunction in the final sprint, leaving World Bicycle Relief out of contention.
Buff Megamo secured the stage victory, with World Bicycle Relief finishing second, just two seconds behind.
Fabian Rabensteiner and Samuele Porro from Wilier Vittoria Factory claimed fourth place, 42 seconds behind. Speed Company Racing’s Georg Egger and Lukas Baum, who had initiated the early attack, finished fifth, 4 minutes and 2 seconds behind the leaders.
Top Three Men’s Elite Stage 1 Results:
1st. Buff Megamo – Hans Becking / Wout Alleman: 3:38:48
2nd. World Bicycle Relief – Nino Schurter / Sebastian Fini: 3:38:50 / +2
3rd. Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne – Matthew Beers / Howard Grotts: 3:39:09 / +21
Top Three Men’s Elite GC Results after Stage 1:
1st. World Bicycle Relief – Nino Schurter / Sebastian Fini: 4:41:28
2nd. Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne – Matthew Beers / Howard Grotts: 4:42:38 / +1:10
3rd. Buff Megamo – Hans Becking / Wout Alleman: 4:42:58 / +1:30