Stage 1 of the 2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, was raced under cloudy skies on Tuesday, 1 October, on the tracks and trails of the Outeniqua Mountain above George. The opening day was a fiercely contested affair in the men\u2019s race with PYGA Euro Steel winning out after seizing an opportunity during a lull in action, in the final kilometre. For Efficient Infiniti Insurance the margin of victory was more commanding, having distanced their rivals for stage honours within the first 20 kilometres of the 56-kilometre-long course.<\/p>\n
The first stage was a deceptive one. It appeared short and possibly even easy on paper, but in reality, it was anything but. Sharp climbs and rooty, wet, descents made for challenging conditions. Samantha Sanders was among the many who lost their grip and fell during the stage, but the Efficient Infiniti Insurance rider was unhurt by either of the two tumbles she took.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was quite wet, but still such a beautiful day out there,\u201d Sanders smiled after completing the stage win. \u201cThe conditions kept you on your toes and you had to be careful not to overcook it, but it was amazing and so beautiful. It was good that we were able to build a buffer today, but our main goal going into the stage was just to keep it safe, with a week of racing to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders and Danielle Strydom had managed to slip off the front of the women\u2019s group within the first 20 kilometres. Their lead was increased by misfortune behind them as Sarah Hill and Aurelie Halbwachs had to turn around and return to Water Point 1. Halbwachs\u2019 seatpost broke during the stage and despite riding back to the neutral mechanics at the aid station the Complete Cyclists team was unable to repair the damage. The Mauritian thus withdrew from the race, leaving Hill to continue alone.<\/p>\n
Kelsey van Schoor and Stephanie Wohlters had ridden their way into second on the trails already and continued strongly, securing the second step of the podium behind their teammates, Sanders and Strydom. Sanchia Malan and Hayley Smith were third on the day, ahead of the Fortress Real Estate Investments and Science2Sport teams.<\/p>\n
In the men\u2019s race Pieter du Toit and Jaedon Terlouw were the most patient of the stage\u2019s main protagonists. The PYGA Euro Steel team joined an elite front group, which also included the Insect Science and Imbuko Toyota Specialized teams. Terlouw explained that he was happy to let the others set the tempo. \u201cI just didn\u2019t really feel the need to fight for the singletracks today,\u201d the PYGA Euro Steel man smiled. \u201cIt might be different tomorrow, but today I was happy for the others to lead and to give them a bit of a gap.\u201d<\/p>\n
This clearly paid dividends as Johan van Zyl and Arno du Toit did the lion\u2019s share of the pace making for the Imbuko Toyota Specialized and Insect Science teams. Their efforts were enough to distance Valley Electrical Titan Racing and the rest of the chasers, but they could not split the top three teams. With three squads entering the final kilometre together a sprint finish seemed inevitable.<\/p>\n
A lull in the pace on the streets leading back to the race village allowed Terlouw and Pieter du Toit to attack from the back of the group. \u201cWe had to slow slightly as we came into town and when we sped up the PYGA [Euro Steel] guys came flying by,\u201d Arno du Toit explained. \u201cThey got a flier and we couldn\u2019t close them back down.\u201d<\/p>\n
The move allowed the day\u2019s victors to seize a handy 9 second advantage over Van Zyl and Wessel Botha, with Arno du Toit and Keagan Bontekoning 3 seconds further back. Rossouw Bekker and Cronje Beukes were next over the line, in fourth, with the impromptu combination of Herman Fourie and Julian Jessop in fifth.<\/p>\n
The results set up a fascinating Stage 2 as the Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, crosses the Outeniqua to Louvain. Taking on a new route the course will head east towards Wilderness before utilising an old waggon trail crossing of the mountains into the Langkloof. The second day of the event features a 73.5 kilometre long route with 2 350 metres of climbing.<\/p>\n
image: Danielle Strydom (leading) and Samantha Sanders (following) stormed to stage victory and into the first pink, First Ascent, leaders\u2019 jerseys of the five-day race. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/em><\/p>\n Men\u2019s Stage 1 Results:<\/p>\n PYGA Euro Steel: Pieter Du Toit & Jaedon Terlouw (2:34:47) Women\u2019s Stage 1 Results:<\/p>\n Efficient Infiniti Insurance: Danielle Strydom & Samantha Sanders (3:15:29)2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen:<\/h3>\n
\nImbuko Toyota Specialized: Johan Van Zyl & Wessel Botha (2:34:56 | +9)
\nInsect Science Cycling: Arno Du Toit & Keagan Bontekoning (2:34:59 | +12)
\nValley Electrical Titan Racing: Rossouw Bekker & Cronje Beukes (2:38:19 | +3:32)
\nValley Electrical Insect Science: Herman Fourie & Julian Jessop (2:41:43 | +6:56)<\/p>\n
\nEfficient Infiniti Pirtek: Stephanie Wohlters & Kelsey Van Schoor (3:32:16 | +16:47)
\nIndex Bell Racing: Sanchia Malan & Hayley Smith (3:36:55 | +21:26)
\nFortress Real Estate Investments: Ila Stow & Katie Lennard (3:41:49 | +25:20)
\nScience2Sport: Megan Scribante & Nicola Freitas (3:49:19 | +33:50)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"