The Absa Cape Epic has congratulated the South African contingent to the UCI mountain bike masters world championships in Norway, which netted five podiums altogether.
These include gold medallist Nedene Cahill, winner of the women’s cross country (XCO) race in the 30-to-34-years-old category.
Three South Africans got to stand on the second step of the podium: Natalie Bergstrom (second in women’s XCO, 40 to 44); Rika Olivier (second in women’s downhill, 40 to 44) and Cape Epic legend Linus van Onselen (second in men’s XCO, 60 to 64). Chris Nixon finished third in the men’s downhill category for ages 45 to 49.
Heavily fancied Nico Pfitzenmaier finished a disappointing 10th in the men’s cross country 40 to 44 category after apparently falling ill.
The championships are being hosted in Hafjell and Lillehammer, Norway. The elite categories race this weekend.
“It is great to see South Africans competing around the world and flying the flag high. Well done Nedene and all the other competitors,” said Absa Cape Epic spokesperson Chris Whitfield
* The Absa Cape Epic also congratulated the MTN Qhubeka team on its bright start to the Vuelta Espana and wished it good luck for the remainder of the race.
The team is the first from the African continent to take part in a Grand Tour.
It includes four South Africans - Louis Meintjies, Jay Thompson, Jaco Venter and Jacques Janse van Rensburg, who featured prominently in breakaways on stages two and three.
“It has been thrilling to see the distinctive black-and-yellow MTN Qhubeka shirts in the Vuelta field,” said Whitfield. “The Absa Cape Epic is passionately supporting the team.”
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