Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life showed their true form by winning Stage 6 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic, 6 minutes and 44,5 seconds ahead of South African–Swiss duo, Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized. Stage six took riders from Oak Valley back to Oak Valley over a distance of 83km with 2 200m of climbing.

Stage 5 took riders from Caledon to Oak Valley in Elgin, a distance of 119km, with 2 350m of climbing. Dr. Evil had one aim on Stage five – get riders to that farmed Oak Valley single-track as soon as possible. So it was a fast, flowing start, before heading to the fynbos-lined mountain tracks. Stage 5 was again won in a sprint finish by the unbeatable South African–Swiss duo of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized).

The route took riders over 105km with 2 600m of climbing from Caledon back to Caledon. Two major climbs jabbed upwards on the day’s route profile. The Men’s category of Stage 4 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic was again won by the indomitable Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized, in a time of 4:42.29,7 (overall 20:20.03,4). This is their fourth stage win in this year’s event. Hot on their heals were the tenacious South Africans Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life in a time of 4:43.13,2 (overall 20:45.04,6).

Stage three took riders from Robertson to Caledon – 147km with 2 900m of climbing. The Men’s category of Stage 3 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic was won in a sprint finish by Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized, Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser. They were closely followed by South Africans Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life.

The Men’s category of Stage 2 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic was won in a sprint finish by the Bulls 1 team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm. They were closely followed by Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler of Multivan Merida Biking, with winners of the previous two days Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized in third place.

As the race’s history tells us, stage one is always a rude awakening for the riders. Combining the length, the climbing, the severity of the trail surfaces and the speed of fresh-legged hares at the front of the field – all was a shock to the system, even for the best prepared. Three major climbs loomed ahead of the athletes.

The South African/Swiss team of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (team 36ONE Songo Specialized) will wear the sough-after Yellow Zebra Jersey made by Craft, with Kevin Evans and David George wearing the Red Absa African leader jersey. Esther Süss and Sally Bigham (Wheels4Life) will be leading the Ladies in Orange, with Robert Sim and Nico Pfitzenmaier of Robert Daniel Momsen wearing the Telkom Masters Blue jersey.