At the start of the 3rd stage we see a quick and powerful start of Beers who moved away from the group dragging some teams with him.
A demonstration of power, but of short duration cut short by the arrival of Lukas Baum and Georg Egger (Speed Company Racing) who move to the front of the race before the 20km finish and win with two minutes ahead of Matthew Beers and Christopher Blevins (Toyota-NinetyOne-Specialized).
Leaders Andreas Seewald and Martin Stošek (Canyon Northwave MTB) cross the finish line in third place one minute behind Beers and Blevins.
No punctures for Nino Schurter (SCOTT-SRAM) who initially chased the leading group, but with teammate Lars Forster struggling to settle for 12th with nine minutes behind the stage winners.
George Egger: “Today was the first day we both felt normal! Yesterday my stomach was giving me trouble and the day before it was Lukas. But today we both felt good. I don't really know what happened out there, we went full throttle from the start! I didn't know much about the route, today it was all to go full throttle. In the end I hurt a little, but Lukas was so strong, he eventually brought us back home ”.
Luke Baum: “Georg and I have been friends for over 10 years; we run together from the under 15 level, so we know each other very well. I know when he feels good and I know when his legs are strong. We have a great understanding of each other's skills. Today we have been competing hard from the start. At the last point of water, we just filled up with some Coke, and then it was full gas until the end. It's great to win the stage. "
Today's victory sees Speed Company Racing climb the overall standings to take second place. The yellow leader jerseys remain for Phase 4 to the duo Andreas Seewald and Martin Stošek.
ORDER OF ARRIVAL
COMPLETE RESULTS
WOMEN RACE
In front of the 60 km finish line, the Private Client Holdings team is overtaken by the NinetyOne-songo-Specialized and Faces Rola, the latter after a few games on the steep ups and downs directed to the finish line, passes the leading team on the final singletrack winning the victory.
Candice Lill and Mariske Strauss (Faces Rola) thus win their first stop at the Absa Cape Epic. After a few days of ups and downs, they were finally able to put together the performance that earned them the first step of the podium and second place in the women's overall standings.
Sofia Gómez Villafane and Haley Batten (NinetyOne-songo-Specialized), second, are still leading the overall standings by 10 minutes.
Hayley Preen and Mari Rabie (Private Client Holdings) closed in 3rd position.
Candice Lill: “I told Mariske that we cannot let Hayley and Mari go too far because they are very good drivers. They were so strong today, but we stayed with them and managed to make our move towards the end. The race was a lot of fun and very tactical, a great day on the bike. Mariske and I did our homework on the stage; we knew that the finish line was tight and that you had to be in front on the last stretch. We managed to realize our plan and from there we managed to get on the podium ”.
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COMPLETE RESULTS
