German Karl Platt, riding for Team Bulls with Swiss Urs Huber, was still on track for a record-equalling fifth win after winning Stage 1 by 38 seconds, but second placed Albvan Lakata of Austria and his Czech teammate Kristian Hynek signalled their intent with a strong finish.

 

And for the second day running Ascendis Health’s South African/Sweden pairing of Robyn de Groot and Jennie Stenerhag pipped defending champions and overwhelming favourites Annika Langvad of Denmark and Araine Kleinhans of Switzerland (Spur-Specialized) to the post.

It was evident after a day of gruelling racing in heavy dust and soaring temperatures that the race for the top step of the podium in both categories is going to be a very close one.

In the men’s race Platt and Huber, along with Cape Epic first-timers Periklis Ilias and Tiago Ferreira (Team Dolomiti Superbike), went out hard from the start, with the small bunch of four leading practically from start to finish on the 108km Tulbagh to Tulbagh stage. The tactic paid off for Platt and Huber, with the pair claiming victory in a time of 4:32.12,5.

Dolomiti Superbike finished third on the day, after a wrong turn towards the end allowed Topeak Ergon Racing’s Albana Lakata and Kristian Hynek to shoot into second place, 38,5 seconds after Team Bulls.

For Platt, it was a celebratory birthday victory a day before the Absa Cape Epic celebrates its 100th stage.