Wind and mud complicate things in the Cape | Rhewal

The final stage of the Absa Cape Epic will be decided tomorrow. Photo: Twitter.

Matthew Beers and Christopher Blevins are within striking distance of the overall leaders after they also won the sixth stage of the Absa Cape Epic.

It was their fifth stage win and they now have Nino Schurter and Andri Frischknecht in their sights.

In wet, muddy conditions they turned on the taps to win the stage by four minutes.

“It was an incredibly tough shift. It was a muddy story and even if we were equipped with the right tires it was still very difficult,” said Blevins.

4km to go for Beers and Blevins. What a ride from these two. #CapeEpic pic.twitter.com/cgADw3G0qn

— capeepic (@CapeEpic) March 25, 2023

In the women’s division, Kim le Court and Vera Looser raced away with the runners-up. They were more than 10 minutes faster than Sofia Gomez Villafane and Katerina Nash in second place.

“That was probably my hardest day on my bike. I just tried to complete the shift without any bumps and thrusts, but I almost fell a few times. The mud may have caused the tears in my eyes, who knows?” Le Court said after the shift.

The seventh and final shift will be decided tomorrow. Participants will have to pedal 80 km, while they can expect a climbing section of 2,400 m.

Not long to go for Vera and Kim on Stage 6 in the @CMcom_ Women’s Category; this will be a hattrick of stage wins at this year’s Cape Epic. #untamed #capeepic pic.twitter.com/jCkmrv93qU

— capeepic (@CapeEpic) March 25, 2023

Mans:

1. Matthew Beers en Christopher Blevins (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne): 3:26:48
2. Nino Schurter and Andri Frischknecht (Scott-Sram MTB Racing): 3:30:56
3. Alban Lakata in Axel Roudil-Cortinat (Bulls Mavericks): 3:33:46

Women:

1. Kim le Court in Vera Looser (Efficient Infiniti Insure): 4:30:02
2. Sofia Gomez Villafane en Katerina Nash (NinetyOne-Songo-Specialized): 04:43:00
3. Greete Steinburg en Monica Martinez (Cannondale Vas Arabay): 04:46:00

Mans:

1. Nino Schurter and Andri Frischknecht (Scott-Sram MTB Racing): 23:07:54
2. Matthew Beers en Christopher Blevins (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne): 23:09:27
3. Georg Egger en Lukas Baum (Orbea X Leatt X Speed Company): 23:13:27

Women:

1. Kim le Court in Vera Looser (Efficient Infiniti Insure): 29:08:28
2. Amy Wakefield en Candice Lill (e-Fort.net: SeattleCoffeCo): 29:33:41
3. Sofia Gomez Villafane en Katerina Nash (NinetyOne-Songo-Specialized): 29:35:48