Cape Epic 2024: Matthew Beers and Howard Grotts dominate the general classification with a stage that is worth half the race

The Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne of Matthew Beers and Howard Grotts takes the victory in the sixth stage and breaks the overall classification with just one day of competition left. Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini suffered and lost vital minutes which almost definitively distances them from the final victory. In the women's category, Terpstra-Koller are on their way to the impossible with a seventh triumph in seven days.

The sixth stage puts Beers-Grotts one step above Schurter-Fini

The Cape Epic 2024 is approaching its end and the riders appeared punctually to face the sixth stage. The organization had prepared a route of 87 km and 2,300 meters of positive elevation gain through the paths of the town of Stellenbosch: continuous ups and downs with climbs like Rustenberg, Knorrhoek, or Morgenhof. The penultimate day of competition was anticipated as another tough challenge in which the wear and tear of the race would already be noticeable in the riders' legs.

The Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne once again started clad in the yellow leader's jersey. Matthew Beers and Howard Grotts had shown a bit more freshness than their rivals and had saved stage 5 - the first day they defended the overall lead - with a partial victory that increased their lead at the top of the standings. The World Bicycle Relief of Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini started as the main threat, although the whims of the race always leave the options of the Cape Epic open to anyone.

The stage remained compact among the favorite pairs without Matthew Beers or Howard Grotts showing any cracks in performance that would give wings to any of their rivals. The yellow jerseys completed the first part of the day with composure and as the kilometers passed, it became clear that it would be difficult to drop them and make a move in the general classification.

Alarms went off when Nino Schurter suffered a fall, although fortunately he was able to recover without major consequences. However, the World Bicycle Relief was a step below what the stage demanded; Sebastian Fini personified that lack of legs to keep up with the leaders and the pair began to lose time from the halfway point of the day.

The Buff Megamo regained good sensations and, despite giving it their all, it was not enough to keep up with Rabensteiner-Porro and Beers-Grotts, who opened a gap also with Seewald-Stutzmann and went for the victory.

The equality between those leading the race remained until they encountered a ramp about 2.5 km from the finish line. The Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne made a move and first Samuele Porro and then Fabian Rabensteiner gave in. Beers-Grotts spurred on the pedals and rode solo to seal the victory and a hard blow in the general classification.

Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini finished ninth and, despite holding onto the second place in the general classification, with just one stage left, the comeback seems very difficult. The Buff Megamo secured another podium and will battle with the World Bicycle Relief for the final silver.

The Orbea Leatt Speed Company had a bitter stage on the bike that put the finishing touch to a Cape Epic edition that is far from what they wanted; Lukas Baum was forced to abandon due to stomach discomfort that he had been suffering from since yesterday and that today prevented him from pedaling beyond the first kilometers.

Cape Epic 2024 Results - Stage 6 - Men's

1. Matthew Beers - Howard Groots (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) 3h 46' 48"
2. Fabian Rabensteiner - Samuele Porro (Wilier Vittoria Factory) +41"
3. Hans Becking - Wout Alleman (Buff Megamo) +1'50"
4. Andreas Seewald - Marc Stutzmann (Canyon SIDI) +2'09"
5. Tim Smeenge - Teus Ruijter (KMC) +3'17"
6. Daniel Geismayr - Jakob Dorigoni (Wilier Torpado) +3'52"
7. Sergio Mantecón - Pawel Bernas (Scott Calabandida-Mazowsze) +4'35"
8. Roberto Bou - Miguel Muñoz (Klimatiza Toteemi Cabberty) +5'10"
9. Nino Schurter - Sebastian Fini (World Bicycle Relief) +6'25"
10. Simon Stiebjahn - Jakob Hartmann (Singer Racing) +8'48"

Cape Epic 2024 General Classification

1. Matthew Beers - Howard Groots (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) 22h 27' 01"
2. Nino Schurter - Sebastian Fini (World Bicycle Relief) +9'22"
3. Hans Becking - Wout Alleman (Buff Megamo) +10'33"
4. Andreas Seewald - Marc Stutzmann (Canyon SIDI) +13'57"
5. Fabian Rabensteiner - Samuele Porro (Wilier Vittoria Factory) +28'05"