Wout Alleman and Hans Becking win again and conquer the yellow jersey in stage 2 of the Cape Epic

The Buff-Megamo team of Wout Alleman and Hans Becking repeat stage victory and snatch the overall lead from Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini. The World Bicycle Relief pair suffered a puncture that caused them to lose time with the leaders, although they managed to salvage the situation with a final comeback.

The Buff Megamo takes the stage win and the lead on the third day of competition

The Cape Epic 2024 continues relentlessly and this third day of competition -including the prologue- promised to be another tough day on the bike: 97 kilometers with 2,200 meters of elevation gain starting and finishing in Saronsberg with a brutal climb in the first kilometers. The yellow jerseys of Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini appeared with the intention of holding off a possible attack from Georg Egger and Lukas Baum who needed to start gaining time against the clock.

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The race started relatively calmly and the main pairs positioned themselves in the crowded lead group. Moments to store energy and prepare for the upcoming challenges. And before the tough Wagon Trail climb, the race dealt a blow to the leaders: Fini suffered a puncture that forced them to stop and, although it is unknown how much time they lost due to this incident, it was enough to lose contact with the lead group.

Only a few kilometers had been covered, so Schurter-Fini lost many positions. The technical and narrow ascent made overtaking difficult and hindered the progress of the yellow jerseys. This, combined with Wout Alleman's extraordinary form and the rest of the front group, allowed the leading group to open a gap.

The race then entered a brief lull with few changes until Beers suffered a puncture. The Specialized team fixed the South African's damaged bike, but by the time they were back on the pedals, the others had already left. Earlier, Rabensteiner-Porro had also lost sight of the leaders.

Thus, the lead was now formed by Becking-Alleman and Egger-Baum, who seemed to have come out with the legs to complete a great stage that would allow them to rejoin the general classification.

And the moment arrived. Alleman-Becking increased the pace and broke away in a ride that left them alone. The Buff Megamo riders executed the plan perfectly and carefully read a race that was offering them an interesting time advantage. Under Alleman's command, Becking managed to withstand the demanding pace set by his partner and the two rode with authority.

Alleman-Becking held on and crossed the finish line alone with a lead that places them as the new leaders of the race. The pair delivered a superb performance and now become the ones to beat. Meanwhile, Schurter-Fini completed a brilliant final part of the stage: they climbed positions and minimized the damage, although tomorrow they will have to relinquish the yellow jersey.

The Orbea Leatt Speed Company regained their form and spent a good part of the day at the front in their particular resurrection, until the Buff Megamo pulled away.

Cape Epic 2024 Results - Stage 2 - Men's

1. Hans Becking - Wout Alleman (Buff Megamo) 4h 05' 22"
2. Nino Schurter - Sebastian Fini (World Bicycle Relief) +2'02"
3. Georg Egger - Lukas Baum (Orbea Leatt Speed Company) +2'07"
4. Matthew Beers - Howard Groots (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) +2'12"
5. Andreas Seewald - Marc Stutzmann (Canyon SIDI) +5'42"
6. Martin Stosek - Petr Vakoc (Canyon SIDI 2) +7'32"
7. Simon Stiebjahn - Jakob Hartmann (Singer Racing) +7'32"
8. Tim Smeenge - Teus Ruijter (KMC) +7'33"
9. Fabien Rabensteiner - Samuele Porro (Wilier Vittoria Factory) +7'35"
10. Sergio Mantecón - Pawel Bernas (Scott Calabandida-Mazowsze) +7'47"