April 4, 2008 (Oak Valley/Elgin, South Africa) – The Full-Dynamix RSM team took a surprise win on the second to last stage of the Absa Cape Epic. Swede Fredrik Kessiakoff and Italian Massimo Debertolis took their first stage of the event, putting nearly nine minutes into overall leaders Cannondale-Vredestein, moving into fifth on the standings at the end of the day. The USN/adidas team of South Africans Brandon Stewart and Max Knox finished just seven seconds behind while the German Alb-Gold Mountainbike team of Hannes Genze and Joschen Kaess were third. The biggest losers on the day were the Dolphin-Trek team of Bart Brentjens and Alban Lakata, who plummeted from fourth overall to sixth, losing some 33 minutes on the stage.

Overall leaders, Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang finished the stage in fourth, maintaining their lead in the classification by keeping a close eye on the German Bulls team of Karl Platt and Stafan Stahm, who were third on the day but only six seconds in front of the Cannondale-Vredestein pair.

Paulissen enjoyed the stage, which featured more single-track than some other stages and suited his strengths. “Today the level of single-trail was very close to that of the Mountain Bike World Cup, however we only went at 80% so we were cruising it. But people still couldn’t keep up.” By saving energy on the technical sections, the pair were able to hold the overall lead. “This is how you can break away by using your skills. On a technical stage you can separate an ordinary mountain biker from an exceptional one. On the gravel roads it is the same for everyone — you just have to push hard to break away.”

Kessiakoff said that he discussed with his riding partner, former Marathon World Champion Massimo Debertolis, the night before that they should attack during Stage 7, and that they should do so immediately when the race started. “We knew we had to do it this way as once we’ve passed the first feed zones and technical terrains there wouldn’t be any way we could leave the other teams behind. We were both in excellent condition so it worked,” the Swede explained. “Winning this stage was a great reward; not only for us but also for our mechanic and physician who accompany us throughout the race. We dedicate this win to our sponsors, crew and support teams.”

Kessiakoff commented that the most difficult challenge in a stage race the fatigue that accumulates toward the end. “It is just so hard to deal with constant changes in speed, which results from the changes in the terrain,” he admitted. “It can range from technical to sandy; a nightmare when you are tired. But today’s stage was totally different which suited us extremely well. We could ride at a constant speed and could also therefore maintain our lead. The USN/Adidas team broke away with us, which also made it easier as we could share the hard work.”

The USN/Adidas team were at first unsure about following the Full Dynamix-RSM lead, but Stewart followed and signalled to his riding partner Max Knox to come along. “We hesitated a bit as it was so early on in the race, but if you break away with another team or teams, it is always easier than on your own,” says Knox. “So we decided to go for it. However, when we got to the second water point with the more technical single track sections, Fredrik rode very fast – simply because he is such an excellent rider and very few can keep up with him. Fredrik and Massimo really put the pressure on at the last kilometre or so. But we are still really happy with our result, because we trained very hard for the Absa Cape Epic — so it is wonderful to climb the podium in such a world-class field.”

The racers enjoyed a shorter route from Hermanus to Grabouw, but the 91 kilometre stage was still a challenge with 1,984m of climbing. The day began with a steep tar ascent up Rotary Drive, which granted riders scenic views back over the seaside town of Hermanus and Walker Bay. Riders then descended through Hamilton Russel and headed for Babilonstoring Nature Reserve, navigating the sandy and rocky jeep tracks.

After crossing the R44, the next challenge waited — a loose climb which gained 500m in altitude up to Lebanon Nature Reserve, followed by a technical single-track route through Lebanon forest. Riders then had to find their way up and down steep vineyards to their overnight location at Elgin (Grabouw).

The fatigue is beginning to wear on the riders, but with just one more day to get through, they are finding ways to boost their morale. Second placed Stewart had a visit with his family which helped bring him emotional energy. “This race has been really hard for me. We had our fair share of really bad luck and a few mechanical issues… Last night, I booked myself into a hotel with my wife and daughter, and the mental break was just what I needed. I felt great during Stage 7 and that is why we managed to accomplish what we did. I usually battle when I get tired after 4.5 hours, but today was a shorter route, so we made use of the opportunity. In my five years of participation, I have to say that the race has gotten harder every year. But this year’s pace and route have just been ridiculously tough.”

An emotional delight awaited the Bulls’ team’s Karl Platt at the finish line after his three brothers (Viktor, Jakob and Albert) flew in from Germany the night before to surprise him. The trio made the journey to Oak Valley to surprise Karl.

Hannes Genze of Alb-Gold Mountainbike was surprised by how he felt on the stage, and said the course was responsible. “It was almost like a reward for the suffering we had to endure the days before. I was completely exhausted yesterday and it felt like someone pulled the plug and I was switched off. I had no more energy left. But today’s stage was exactly what I like. I’m actually sad that we weren’t in the leading group today when they broke away so early — I had no idea then that I would feel so good today.”

Genze said that his team used the first tar section to warm up and in the second climb (which was a sandy terrain) the four top teams managed to leave Dolphin-Trek behind. “In the flat part afterwards we really hit the gas to make sure that Dolphin-Trek would not catch up with us.”

MTN Energade’s David George was struggling with the terrain today as it was “true mountain bike stuff” and he is far more experienced on the road. He joked that he got his first single-track badge after the race.

Stefan Sahm (Bulls) was one of the riders who had to cope with a flat tyre during Stage 7. “Apart from the puncture which resulted from a sharp rock in the road, it was a very enjoyable stage. We were able to fix the flat tyre very quickly, and when we got back to the tech zone I changed the wheel to be on the safe side. From there we enjoyed the great stage as it was an unbelievably fun route.”

Results

Men

1. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) / Massimo Debertolis (Ita) Full-Dynamix Rsm 3.45.10
2. Brandon Stewart (RSA) / Max Knox (RSA) USN/adidas 0.07
3. Hannes Genze (Ger) / Joschen Kaess (Ger) Alb-Gold Mountainbike 8.43
4. Karl Platt (Ger) / Stefan Sahm (Ger) Bulls 8.52
5. Roel Paulissen (Bel) / Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Cannondale Vredestein 8.58

Women

1. Pia Sundstedt (Fin) / Alison Sydor (Can) Rocky Mountain 4.37.50
2. Susan Haywood (USA) / Jennifer Smith (NZl) Trek/VW Wsd 22.33
3. Jane Seggie (RSA) / Ischen Stopforth (RSA) Scott Contessa 40.38
4. Erica Green (RSA) / Hanlie Booyens (RSA) Absa Ladies 58.04
5. Phelia Burger (RSA) / Annelle Rabie (RSA) The Mud Fairies 1.05.19

Masters

1. Doug Brown (RSA) / Barti Bucher (Swi) Absa Masters 4.21.54
2. Shan Wilson (RSA) / Walter Platzgummer (Ita) Adidas William Simpson 7.58
3. M.C. Franken (RSA) / Peter Buggle IRE Pragma Masters 11.47
4. Claudio Pellegrini (Ita) / Orazio Casaccio (Ita) Oracla 16.11
5. Andrew Johan Cillie (RSA) / Leon Olivier (RSA) Private Client Holdings 21.26

Mixed

1. Ivonne Kraft (Ger) / Nico Pfitzenmaier (Ger) Joybike Maloja-Express 4.34.16
2. Johan Labuschagne (RSA) / Yolande de Villiers (RSA) Cyclelab Toyota 13.25
3. Tomas Legnavsky / Janka Stevkova Ck Mtb Dohnany Novatec 27.38
4. Kobus Barnard (RSA) / Fienie Barnard (RSA) Absa Mixed 28.44
5. Markus Pielenz (Ger) / Sandra Sumerauer (Ger) Adidas-Medsport-Checker Pig 32.29

GC after Stage 7

Men

1. Roel Paulissen (Bel) / Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Cannondale Vredestein 33.19.18
2. Karl Platt (Ger) / Stefan Sahm (Ger) Bulls 9.09
3. Kevin Evans (RSA) / David George (RSA) MTN Energade 16.47
4. Hannes Genze (Ger) / Jochen Kaess (Ger) Alb-Gold Mountainbike 26.52
5. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) / Massimo Debertolis (Ita) Full-Dynamix Rsm 49.55
6. Bart Brentjens (Ned) / Alban Lakata (Aut) Dolphin-Trek 51.53
7. Brandon Stewart (RSA) / Max Knox (RSA) Usn/adidas 1.11.09
8. Martin Bratland (Nor) / Kristian Torgersen (Nor) Etto Hoydahl 2.10.40
9. Rune Hoydahl (Nor) / Ola Kjoren (Nor) Etto Hoydahl 2.28.28
10. Mannie Heymans (Nam) / Melt Swanepoel (RSA) MTN Energade 3.02.42

Women

1. Pia Sundstedt (Fin) / Alison Sydor (Can) Rocky Mountain 39.42.06
2. Susan Haywood (USA) / Jennifer Smith (NZl) Trek/VW Wsd 1.31.11
3. Jane Seggie (RSA) / Ischen Stopforth (RSA) Scott Contessa 3.50.37
4. Erica Green (RSA) / Hanlie Booyens (RSA) Absa Ladies 4.50.36
5. Petruschka Constancon (RSA) / Louise Hemmes (RSA) Valhalla 9.59.12

Masters

1. Doug Brown (RSA) / Barti Bucher (Swi) Absa Masters 37.16.17
2. Shan Wilson (RSA) / Walter Platzgummer (Ita) Adidas William Simpson 17.31
3. M.C. Franken (RSA) / Peter Buggle (Irl) Pragma Masters 1.18.37
4. Andrew Johan Cillie (RSA) / Leon Olivier (RSA) Private Client Holdings 3.50.17
5. Claudio Pellegrini (Ita) / Orazio Casaccio (Ita) Oracla 3.56.48

Mixed

1. Ivonne Kraft (Ger) / Nico Pfitzenmaier (Ger) Joybike-Maloja Express 40.14.25
2. Johan Labuschagne (RSA) / Yolande de Villiers (RSA) Cyclelab Toyota 31.44
3. Kobus Barnard (RSA) / Fienie Barnard (RSA) Absa Mixed 1.46.21
4. Markus Pielenz (Ger) / Sandra Sumerauer (Ger) Adidas-Medsport-Checker Pig 4.10.31
5. Andreas Mühlbacher (Aut) / Anita Waiss (Aut) Unicef Austria 1 4.16.52