The twelfth edition of the legendary "Cape Epic" mountain bike stage race once again boasts a top-class line-up. In addition to the usual suspects, there is also a new pairing among the high-caliber riders this year. We are talking about Fabian Giger and Martin Gujan, who will start as Team Novus-OMX-Pro. Due to their cross-country background, the two Swiss riders are also considered among the favorites on the short 20-kilometre prologue course.

Giger and Gujan start with start number 23 around 25 minutes ahead of the top favorites. After 46.18 minutes, the two come back with the fastest time. Only Christoph Sauser and his Czech team partner Jaroslav Kulhavy are faster in the first five kilometers, but then have to slow down. "That was a tough stretch for me. I had quite a struggle on the climbs," sums up Sauser. In the end, the two were just under 24 seconds behind the victorious Swiss and a good five seconds behind second-placed Platt and Huber. "We didn't expect that at all. We are therefore all the happier about the victory," says a delighted Fabian Giger.The prologue does not yet bring a preliminary decision. Platt and Huber as well as Sauser and Kulhavy are within striking distance of Giger and Gujan. Above all, the first-mentioned teams have more Epic experience than the prologue winners. The defending champions Kristian Hynek (CZE) and his partner Alban Lakata (AUT) are a good 50 seconds behind, losing a little more time. Time that the co-favorites in the battle for overall victory are likely to miss.

Fabian Giger and Martin Gujan during the prologue and later at the top of the podium. Photo© Ewald Sadie/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Victory and third place for two Swiss women
South Africa-based Swiss rider Ariane Kleinhans and her team partner Annika Langvad (DEN) start the prologue as defending champions. Despite facing the strongest field of riders for many years, Kleinhans and Langvad put in a convincing performance in the South African dust. Despite a brief "run-off", the pair reach the finish line well over three minutes ahead of the surprising pairing of Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) and Robin Lee de Groot (RSA). "We wanted to take the lead as quickly as possible, which we obviously did very well," says Annika Langvad.

Immediately behind them, things got tight. Milena Landtwing (SUI) and Hielke Elferink (NED) were just eleven seconds behind Stenerhag/Lee de Groot in third place. Around a minute ahead of Esther Süss (SUI) and her Belgian partner Alice Pirard, Landtwing and Elferink already have a small cushion for the upcoming race days. "We are happy with third place - even surprised. Because from a technical point of view, the stage was nothing special," explains Milena Landtwing.

The leading pairing of Gunn Rita Dahle-Flesjaa (NOR) and Kathrin Stirnemann finished the prologue in seventh place. According to information, Stirnemann had been struggling with stomach problems in the run-up to the race.

Ariane Kleinhans and Annika Langvad in superior style to win the prologue. Photo© Ewald Sadie/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

View of stage 1, Oak Valley Wine Estate - Oak Valley Wine Estate
The Cape Epic participants immediately face the stage with the highest elevation gain. There are 2,800 meters of altitude to conquer over 113 kilometers. After around 20 kilometers of slightly ascending approach, the main obstacle, the Groenlandberg, stands in the way of the riders. This could already decide the winner of the day. This is because the rest of the first stage is predestined to break away from the field with its hilly characteristics and three further crisp climbs.

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