After the first 98-kilometre stage yesterday, today was the queen stage of the Absa Cape Epic 2021. The 600 starters faced 96 kilometres and 2100 metres in altitude from Ceres to Saronsberg. The decisive section began with a ten-kilometre climb from the second feed point at kilometre 68. From the highest point, a long, partly technical downhill on the Wagon Trail led into the valley before the finish. This is also where today's stage was decided: In the men's race, Canyon Northwave and the overall leaders from NinetyOne-Songo-Specialized attacked with a strong Jordan Sarrou. In the long descent, it was also the Frenchman Sarrou who kept the pace high and was able to break away from Seewald/Stosek with Beers on his rear wheel. In the end, the Specialized riders won after 3:56 minutes, 26 seconds ahead of the German-Czech duo from Canyon Northwave. Urs Huber and Simon Schneller came third, 1:46 minutes behind.
The video summary of the second stage of the Cape Epic 2021.
Frei/Stigger step up the pace on the final climb
Sina Frei and Laura Stigger (NinetyOne-Songo-Specialised) also went into the final descent of the second stage, the Old Wagon Trail, alone in the lead after they had broken away from Salusmed (Ariane Luthi/Robyn de Groot) on the long climb beforehand. The overall leaders were even able to extend their lead to 1:02 minutes by the finish and thus took the next stage win without any danger. Ariane Lüthi (SUI) and her South African partner Robyn de Groot were again second. Mariske Strauss and Candice Lill (Faces CST) finished third, 4:35 minutes behind, just like yesterday.
