Stage 3 - Robertson to Greyton

The longest stage of the Epic, Stage 3 was 134 km with 1800 m of climbing, taking riders from Robertson the the farmlands surrounding the town of Greyton.  Although it was the longest, the route was fast, with farm roads making up the majority of the course.  Riders also experienced several more river crossings, one of which was guided by a rope, which riders held on to as the lifted their bikes on their shoulders to cross.

Mike and Thomas were in a good rhythm for the beginning of the race, but ran into trouble when they both crashed.  Although there was no severe physical damage, it made a long day all the more exhausting.  They were the 7th Grand Masters across the line today once again.

Nino Schurter and Philip Buys of SCOTT-Odlo MTB Racing led the race before the second water station, but they did not hold it, and were not even part of the sprint finish for the win.  Christoph Sauser and Frantisek Rabon of Meerendal Songo Specialized pulled it off by a matter of milliseconds against teams Centurion-Vaude and Topeak-Ergon Racing.  

Schurter and Buys