ABSA Cape Epic Stage 4: Photo finish and new Overall Leaders in the men's race

Stage 4 is the Queen Stage of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic.

The route had to be adjusted today in response to extreme temperatures above 35 degrees. The distance was reduced from 88km to 73km and the elevation gain from 3.000m to 2.550m. It was a hard day for the riders, who had to master steep climbs, plenty of singletracks and never-ending switchbacks.

The men’s category was full of excitement and was decided on the last meters in a very close sprint finish between the stage winners of World Bicycle Relief Nino Schurter (SUI) and Sebastian Fini (DEN) and Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne - Matthew BEERS (RSA) and Howard GROTTS (USA), who took over the Yellow Leaders Jerseys. Yesterday’s stage winners Canyon SIDI’s Andreas Seewald (GER) and Marc Stutzmann (SUI) finish with a deficit of 1min 10sec. The race is wide open in the General Classification with having already three different Overall Leaders in the race so far.

In the women’s category it was the usual suspects of team GHOST Factory Racing – Anne Terpstra (NED) and Nicole Koller (SUI) dominating the race and taking another stage win. Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne - Sofia GOMEZ Villafane (ARG) and Samara Sheppard (NZL) win over Cannondale Factory Racing – Mona Mitterwallner (AUT) and Candice Lill (RSA) in a sprint finish.

STAGE 4 - MEN

1. World Bicycle Relief - 2-1 Nino SCHURTER (SUI) & 2-2 Sebastian FINI (DEN) 3:22:39
2. Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne - 1-1 Matthew BEERS (RSA) & 1-2 Howard GROTTS (USA) 3:22:39 / +0
3. Canyon SIDI - 4-1 Andreas SEEWALD (GER) & 4-2 Marc STUTZMANN (SUI) 3:23:49 / +1:10

STAGE 4 - WOMEN

1. GHOST Factory Racing - 63-1 Anne TERPSTRA (NED) & 63-2 Nicole KOLLER (SUI) 4:08:50          
2. Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne - 69-1 Sofia GOMEZ VILLAFANE (ARG) & 69-2 Samara SHEPPARD (NZL) 4:08:52 / +2
3. Cannondale Factory Racing - 62-1 Mona MITTERWALLNER (AUT) & 62-2 Candice LILL (RSA) 4:08:52 / +2