Burry Stander first South African to win Epic

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Sunday, 03 April 2011 22:59

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Stander and Sauser win Absa Cape Epic

The 36ONE Songo Specialized team of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser walked away with top honours as overall winners of this year’s exciting Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas. With a ten minute and 51 second lead time at the start this morning, Stander and Sauser finished the last 8 days of the Magical and Untamed Mountain Bike Race of 707km in an overall time of 28:44.44,0. It is the first time in the history of the race that a South African is part of the winning team.

In second place in an overall time of 28:51.52,8 were the German team of Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss (Multivan Merida Biking), with the Bulls, Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, in third place overall in 29:05.53,7. The Bulls Team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm won the Absa Cape Epic in 2007, 2009 and 2010, and Karl Platt won in the inaugural year (2004) with Mannie Heymans from Namibia. He is the most successful participant in the history of the race having won four times with eleven stage wins.

The Swiss Flückiger brothers, Lukas and Mathias, of the Trek World Racing team, won the final stage of this year’s Absa Cape Epic in 2:33.18,6 with Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss (Multivan Merida Biking) in second place (2:35.37,1). They were closely followed by José Hermida and Ralph Näf (Multivan Merida Biking 3) in 2:39.06,1, with Alexandre Moos and Balthasar Weber of BMC Mountainbike Racing in fourth place (2:39.07,4). Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (36ONE Songo Specialized) took a slower pace once they reached the final  200 metres in order to enjoy the overwhelming welcome of the crowds, finishing in fifth place in 2:39.19,7.

Says Burry Stander of 36ONE Songo Specialized: “We didn’t start off well today. We lost about 4 minutes with a flat. We then chased hard again to catch up with the leading group, only to find out that Multivan Merida attacked. We finally caught up with them and could then relax and enjoy it to the finish. Today was still hard, but we were prepared for that. To be the first South African to win this race is on par to winning the World Championships. The Absa Cape Epic takes more work because for eight days you have to be perfect instead of only one day.” Christoph Sauser adds: “This is only my opinion, but I was surprised when they attacked when we were having problems. We then had to risk not staying with our back-up teams to make up some time. When we finally caught up with them, we could enjoy the rest of the race.  This race is definitely up there with the World Championships. I can’t describe the feeling of winning in words, but I know the exhaustion will hit us tomorrow.”

Says Lukas Flückiger of Trek World Racing: “It feels fantastic to win the last stage at Lourensford. The race was so hard, but Mathias was in great shape today and I also felt good. I was completely exhausted yesterday, but luckily I recovered well. The Absa Cape Epic is amazing and I’m very happy that it’s over. It’s an amazing feeling to win this stage.“ His brother Mathias adds: “I’m also really happy with our stage win and glad it’s over.”

Hannes Genze of Multivan Merida Biking had a crash during today’s stage. “Around one corner I had to break too much and slipped. We’re very proud of our second place. Both Burry (Stander) and Christoph (Sauser) are former world champions and to be second to them is incredible. It was our goal to finish on the podium and we did everything we could. It was cool to cross the finish line today.” His team mate Jochen Käss adds: “Today’s race was wonderful. I felt really strong, but the brothers were also strong. We lost them in the walking section. In the end, to finish second overall is wonderful for us.”

José Hermida and Ralph Näf (Multivan Merida Biking 3) sprinted to the finish today. Says Hermida: “It was a tough day from the beginning and our team had a technical problem. It’s nice to see our two teams finish the Cape Epic in similar shape. This was the first sprint I’ve won in my life! I’m very proud to participate in this year’s event and hope to see the results of this in my season. I’m hoping to defend the World Championship Jersey this year.” His team mate Ralph Näf adds: “This year’s race was much better than 2007 – I felt better. We had some bad luck in the second stage, but we’ll be back. I love South Africa! I’ll take one week off before training again – I need a rest.”

Karl Platt of the Bulls team finished in third place overall. “Sometimes if you know that you can ride faster and your team partner doesn’t have the legs, you need to fight your own mind. You can’t change it and Stefan also had to accept it. It was a huge learning curve for me – not to get angry and to stay relaxed. We came third together! This was a very good life lesson and it keeps your feet on the ground. Learning something like this also affects other areas of your life. Our partnership was tested and we made it – through the good times and bad. It’s a tough life lesson, but it stays with you forever. Our friendship is more important than a victory.”

Balthasar Weber of BMC Mountainbike Racing, who finished in fourth place, enjoyed the sprint to the finish with World Champion Hermida. “It was a pretty exciting stage. We started well but lost the first riders and stayed with the rest of the group. I broke my pedal after around 20km, so it was more difficult to ride. Stander and Sauser had a flat, but they came back and we rode with them to the end. Due to the broken pedal I couldn’t sprint properly, but we’re very happy with fourth place.”

www.cape-epic.com