Pink, Perfection and Punctures Cape Epic Stage 3

Pink, Perfection and Punctures Cape Epic Stage 3

Annika. It was a brutal day today, the rocks and terrain, very bumpy, I could not feel my arms from the vibrations. Up Groenlandberg we decided to test our competitors and it worked.

Anna. Today Annika felt very good, so I had to take care that I was strong for the end. I am not used to the length of the stages so I have to stay strong for the last 20 km.

As Annika said if you go down on this terrain it works your arms and shoulders, my legs are feeling good but my neck and shoulders are painful.

Candice It was difficult to pace yourself correctly through the race, Groenlandberg was a big climb but there was a lot more climbing after that. Our communication was great today and that made all the difference. To be in 2nd is good to be in at this stage.

Adelheid I liked this stage more than the others it had more climbing and technical sections. Today was nearly a perfect day for us, we tried to set the pace and then Annika and Anna attacked. We are super happy about our 2nd position.

Jennie We are very happy with the podium, there was a high pace up to Dimension Data hot spot. Towards the end I was very happy to have a strong partner with me mariske was pushing me and motivating me to 3rd place.

Mariske It has been a rough Epic so far, and that makes you really appreciate the podium more. The wheel turns the revolving door turns, this thing called the Epic, one little mistake can cost you a lot.

Ariane how is moral? Well its the Epic, you just keep racing cause you never know what tomorrow will bring. We need to work with our strengths, we were pushing it on the downhill but equipment has its limits.

The African Womens Jersey changed hands, Sarah Hill and Theresa Ralph fighting to secure the podium.

Punctures played havoc with the Epic mens race, shaking up the GC.

Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini riding serious time into Scott Sram after the had a side wall puncture.

Urs Huber and Simon Stiebjahn Bulls Heroes taking 2nd

 

Damiano Ferraro and damuele Porro Trek San Marco 3rd.

African Jersey Holders Matt Beers and Alan Hatherly are getting stronger as the stages get harder.

Pink

Today, riders were encouraged to wear their pink @AbsaSouthAfrica @LumoHawk jerseys as a charity drive; we’re happy to report that a large percentage of the field obliged.

Results