German Robert Mennen and his Czech teammate Kristian Hynek (team Topeak-Ergon) rather easilly defended their lead during the seventh and final stage to take overall honours in the prestigious race for the first time. A large and lively crowd witnessed also Gert Heyns and Matthys Beukes (Scott factory Racing team) become the first South Africans ever to win the closing stage - the most sought after stage in the event.
“I got some revenge for last year,” said Mennen afterwards in reference to the incident in the 2013 Absa Cape Epic when he hit a duiker that ran in front of his bicycle, was thrown over his handlebars and broke his collarbone.
“But I never thought I could win the biggest mountain bike stage race in the world …it feels incredible,” said Mennen, who has competed in the Cape Epic twice before.
Hynek was riding his first Epic and confessed to sleeping very little on Saturday night: “It was a big relief to cross the line after having problems on the earlier stages, but nothing went wrong today.”
Robert Mennen (left) and Kristian Hynek posing with the prize
The Untamed African MTB Race route was 718 km long and included 14 850m of bike-climbing. Local and international mountain bikers tackled the demanding eight-day adventure through South Africa's Western Cape region. The race started at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, with a time-trial prologue, and finished at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West. The route, which changes significantly each year, lead 1 200 cyclists through vast distances of virgin territory, previously untouched by the race.
The Absa Cape Epic is the most televised mountain bike stage race in the world and the only eight-day mountain bike stage race classed as hors catégorie by the Union Cycliste Interacionale (UCI). This official UCI status makes it a highlight on the professional racer's calendar. The Absa Cape Epic also attracts aspiring amateur riders wanting to test themselves against the best. It is a full-service race, meaning that everything is taken care of from the start - all riders need to think about is riding.
Source: Absa Cape Epic website Photos: Absa Cape Epic media pool Video: Youtube
