The “super brutal” Queen Stage on Thursday duly delivered a battle royal for supremacy in the Men’s category race and a gift to women’s leader Annika Langvad on her birthday.
But the drama began even before the starting gun when Team Spurs’ gutsy Githa Michiels, lying second in the Women’s category with Ariane Luthi, had to pull out with a fever shortly before the race was due to begin.
That left Langvad and partner Kate Courtney (Investec Songo Specialized) with a comfortable lead in the women’s race and they duly extended it. After a solitary night in Worcester, the race transitioned to Wellington via the testing 113km/1800m Stage 4.
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In the Men’s category, Cannondale Factory Racing’s Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini were on a mission to rectify their tactical mistakes on Stage 3, when they relinquished their lead and yellow jersey to Investec Songo Specialized.
Alban Lakata and Kristian Hynek (Canyon Topeak) pushed the pace of the leading pack early in the stage in a ploy to hurt Howard Grotts of Investec Songo Specialized. It worked – and Grotts, the first American to wear the yellow zebra jersey, had no choice but to call on his powerful partner, Jaroslav Kulhavy, for assistance.
“I only had one speed out there today, so it was very tough for me but Jaroslav (Kulhavy) was helpful, riding at my pace,” said Grotts.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Race Results http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/cape-epic-2018/stage-4/results
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