Prologue - Meerendal

The Prologue was set once again at the Meerendal Wine Estate of Durbanville.  Today, riders started of the ramp and went through the front doors of Meerendal Manor, then out back and down the steps to then red over giant bags of grapes which are being crushed by riders wheels throughout the day to make wine later.  Riders then took on the first 23 km of the Absa Cape Epic, including the infamous Stairway to Heaven Climb.

Mike and Thomas took fourth in the Grand Masters Category with a time of 1:15:10.  Both kept the rubber side down today, quite the feat for these two.  Less than a minute separated Mike and Thomas from the third place team, The Absa Grand Masters, so it may be a tight race for the podium this week.

Jose Hermieda and Rudi van Houts of the Multivan Merida Biking Team took the stage win today for the Pro Men.  They were the first of only two teams that broke the one hour barrier, with a time of 59:08.  Full results from the Prologue can be found here.