Cycling News and Race Results

A study of the results of Philimon Sebona in the Absa Cape Epic and the Old Mutual Joburg2C mountain-bike tours reveals that he is one of the Exxaro Mountain Bike Academy's biggest success stories.

About a week prior to the start of the Absa Cape Epic, Team bizhub-FCF's Yolandi du Toit got the news that she would be a participant in this year's edition of the race. This came about when her teammate Ischen Stopforth who was originally paired up with Catherine Williamson had to withdraw from the race as a result of a broken arm.

Ben Mwanje and Daniel Alikisente of Team Cycle Lab Toyota completed their first ABSA Cape Epic on Sunday. They were the first black African team to finish the race, but due to their age (older than 26) and nationality (they’re Ugandan), they did not qualify for classification in the new Exxaro Development Team competition.

Sunday’s final stage of the 2012 ABSA Cape Epic wasn’t the procession it was expected to be as defending champions and overall leaders, Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser, attacked their rivals on the 64km leg from Oak Valley to Lourensford to win a sixth stage and claim their second successive overall win as teammates.

Burry Stander (RSA) and Christoph Sauser (SUI) of the 36One-Songo-Specialized team showed just what complete mountain bike racers they are when they overcame wet, cold and muddy conditions to win Stage 5 of the 2012 ABSA Cape Epic on Friday.

South African Burry Stander and his Swiss teammate, Christoph Sauser (36One-Songo-Specialized) tightened their grip on the 2012 ABSA Cape Epic on Thursday when they won the 105km Stage 4 and extended their overall lead.

With stage four of the Absa Cape Epic completed, Vanessa Haywood has impressed everyone with her staying power in this year’s race. Haywood is probably best known for her role as the leading lady in the number one box office hit, District 9. Her successful television career also includes appearances as a presenter for Groen (Kyknet), Top Billing (SABC 3), AgriTV (SABC 1), Superdance (ETV), and Wildlife Video Cast (Asia).

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 first was the loose, long and steep Babylonstoren. Then it was the brutal, stony ascent to Charlie’s Heaven and riders should have been used to false peaks by now.

South African Ironman winner, Raynard Tissink is participating in this year’s Absa Cape Epic with Mr. African, Mannie Heymans, in order to raise funds for the JAG Foundation.  Team JAG (Tissink and Heynmans) is racing in the well-known black and yellow colours of the JAG Foundation, and is still going strong after Stage 4.

South African Burry Stander and his Swiss teammate Christoph Sauser of the 36One-Songo-Specialized team appear set to successfully defend their ABSA Cape Epic title after winning Stage 3 on Wednesday, the 2012 edition’s queen stage over 143km from Robertson to Caledon.