Stage 2 - Robertson

The trails of Stage 2 absorbed rain all through the night and morning and made for an extremely messy day for riders.  The mud not only slowed the race off pace for the leaders by about a half hour, but also gave many riders mechanical issues.  Although the race started in a downpour, riders enjoyed sunshine for the last few kilometers of the race to finish under blue skies.

 

Stage 2 was 110 km long and featured 1550 m of climbing, as well as a water crossing almost a meter deep courtesy of the previous night's weather.  The route took riders through the small town of McGregor, which was a cause for celebration.  Locals were decked out in the Absa colors of red and black and vendors lined the streets near the water station.  Riders received a much needed warm welcome through the community on this cold and rainy day.

 Mike and Thomas finished 7th once again in the Grand Masters category.  Unfortunately they did not escape the terrors of the mud and were held back by about a half hour due to mechanical issues.  However, they were luckier than some, as yesterdays leaders finished hours after the first men came in today.  It's a tough race to hold onto the yellow jersey for more than one stage.  Carl Platt and Urs Huber will be wearing hit tomorrow, but this race is known for being unpredictable, and there are many other teams that are in contention to win the 2014 Cape Epic.