SCOTT Teams victorious at Absa Cape Epic

For the third consecutive year the Scott Factory Racing powered by LCB team won the Absa Cape Epic’s Absa Africa special jersey for the best team in the Epic from Africa.

All Photos: Gustaf Klotz

This year it was Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes (SCOTT Factory Racing powered by LCB) who won the Burry Stander Memorial trophy. It was also a hattrick of Africa-titles for Beukes, who won it also in 2013 with Buys and last year with Gert Heyns. The 2015 Absa Cape Epic started at the University of Cape Town, with a time-trial prologue, and finished last week at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville.

Beukes and Buys finished the last stage in 9^th place. On Stage 1 riders encountered one of the Absa Cape Epic's legendary climbs, Groenlandberg. On Stage 7 riders came face-to-face with a climb that will similarly enter Epic folklore - the Paardeberg. The stage started with 25km of fast riding on farm and district roads, but all the time the Paardeberg's brooding presence loomed in the distance. After Water Point 1 the route went straight into the climb - and continued on it for nearly 6km, during which about 600m of elevation was gained. The descent was as sharp as the climb and care had to be taken on the unstable surface and rutted sections. From then it was 45km of fast roads before climbing again onto Meerendal Wine Estate's Dorstberg. At 82km the route swooped down through Meerendal's legendary trails towards the estate's historic Manor House and the finish line glory of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic Grand Finale.

Beukes and Buys managed a top 5 place overall as well. They won Stage 4 and finished third on Stage 6. Buys has now with three stage wins the second most stage wins by a South African in the Epic. He is just one behind Kevin Evans.

“This year the competition in the Absa African competition was intense. There were so many challengers. I think the time will come soon that a South African team will win the Epic,” said Buys. Three teams from South Africa finished in the top 10.

“We tried early on for the stage win again, but the effort on Stage 4 and 6 was felt in the legs today. I am very happy with how it all worked out. This Epic was not an easy one…not that it is ever easy, but this year was a battle. Winning the red jersey for the third time is very special,” said Beukes.

“It was an up and down week for us. Matthys had great legs. To have won the red after all that happened makes it so much more special,” added Buys.

Overall:

1. Investec-Songo-Specialized 2-1 Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) 2-2 Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic) 31:00.57,7
2. Topeak Ergon 1-1 Kristian Hynek (Czech Republic) 1-2 Alban Lakata (Austria) 31:11.39,5 +10.41,8
3. Bulls 4-1 Karl Platt (Germany) 4-2 Urs Huber (Switzerland) 31:35.23,0 +34.25,3
4. Multivan Merida 6-1 Jose Hermida (Spain) 6-2 Rudi van Houts (Netherlands) 31:47.47,3 +46.49,6
5. Scott Factory Racing 7-1 Philip Buys (South Africa) 7-2 Matthys Beukes (South Africa) 32:07.26,0 +1:06.28,3

SCOTT victory in the Masters Class

SCOTT rider Abraao Azevedo from Brazil dominated the Masters category. Together with Bart Brentjens, Team BETCH.nl-Superior could win four stages in total. The Brazilian-Dutch combo finished with a comfortable 28 min lead after the last stage. Azevedo, 45 year old, is 3 x Brazilian national marathon champion and was World Champion in 2011 (XC-Masters Category). It was Azevedo`s 3rd Cape Epic experience- and his 3rd overall win.

"This third victory was the hardest ever. I feel very satisfied and the certainty that all my efforts and dedication were recompensed”, he said. 

Biking a Scott Spark 700 RC, marathon pro Azevedo won an unanimous position, never reached by a Brazilian before. “The bike worked like a clock in all the stages, in climbs, downhills, bends, fire roads and single tracks. It`s the perfect machine for me!”, Azevedo said. 

The eight-day mountain bike stage race Absa Cape Epic belongs to the world’s premier stage races. The route changes every year, leading aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through roughly 800km of unspoilt scenery and 15 000m of accumulated climbing, over some of the most magnificent mountain passes in Western Cape in South Africa.