The heat is on for the final stage of the Cape Odyssey presented by Salomon. The fourth stage of the race saw the Salomon Pro team Ryno Griesel and Arrie de Swardt (of Gauteng) close the overall gap between themselves and the leading Mr Price team to 6 minutes and 16 seconds, creating tension and excitement for the final stage.
Close on their heels is the Montrail/Capestorm Men team William Robinson and Dion Middelkoop, who closed the gap for the first time between them and the two leading teams today by finishing first during Stage 4 in a time of 4 hours, 10 minutes and 27 seconds. They are now only 10 minutes and 58 seconds behind the leading Mr Price team, setting the stage for an exciting final stage of this event.
The Salomon Pro Ladies team Linda Doke and Karoline Hanks are still in fantastic form. They finished in first place in a time of 5 hours, 12 minutes and 21 seconds in the Women’s division for the third day in a row. They were followed by The Whippets, Elle Courts and Tanya Templeton (05:15:02), with Amawale team Vivienne Fenton and Nicola Lockhart again finishing in third place (05:45:40).
In the Mixed category The Perfect Storm team Dirk Cloete and Heleen Joubert are still in the lead (04:54:46). They also finished in fifth place overall, making the Mixed category one of the most competitive in this year’s event. The Landrover team Andre du Toit and Lizette Muller finished in second place (04:56:55) with the Mojo team John Morison and Moyra Sheard in third (04:58:00).
In the Masters division Ian Little and Vivienne Williams of Montrail/Capestorm 1 have won their stage for the third time in a row in a time of 5 hours, 29 minutes and 46 seconds. The West Coast Cruisers Dave Johnston and Willie Coetzee finished second (05:43:52) with Italian team Giovanni Montini and Paolo Bertini of Icarus Skysport Italy finished in third place (05:52:43).
The accumulated times after the fourth stage placed the Mr Price team first overall as well as in the Men’s category (14:43:26), the Salomon Pro team in second position overall and in the Men’s category (14:49:42), with the Montrail/Capestorm Men in third overall and in the Men’s category (15:08:32). The Perfect Storm is in the lead in the Mixed division (16:26:47), with Salomon Pro Ladies in the lead in the Women’s category (18:10:23). In the Masters, Montreal/Cape Storm 1 remains in first place (17:56:40).
According to today’s winners, Dion Middelkoop and William Robinson of Montrail/Capestorm Men, this stage was by far the most technical. “The two leading teams pushed each other yesterday, but we held back a bit. Today’s route was also perfectly suited to our strengths. On the single track The Salomon Pro team took off, but coming down the technical trail of Nuweberg William asked me whether I felt good to go. He then politely asked the Salomon Pro team whether we could take the lead for a while and that was the last we saw of them,” says Middelkoop.
Robinson adds: “We took it easy during yesterday’s second half to save energy for the last two stages. Today we kept a good tempo and the last 7.5km climb was not as steep as we expected. We made up some time today and are now only about 10 minutes behind the leaders. Also, there were many streams along the way which kept us cool in the 30 degree heat. Tomorrow’s route is different to that of last year, so we’re not sure what to expect, but we should be feeling strong.”
According to the race leaders, brothers Jacques and Mauritz Jansen van Rensburg, today was tough. Says Jacques: “We’re rhythm athletes and knew that today was going to be tough. The other teams are excellent technical runners, which meant that the terrain was playing to their strengths. But we’re having a great time out there, and think we do have an advantage in that we’re brothers running together. It’s really a wonderful experience.” Mauritz adds: “The other teams are fantastic on this terrain. After about 20km we decided to just enjoy today’s every moment as well as the beautiful surroundings. This is an incredible event.”
According to the Salomon Pro team Stage 4 went well. “The technical part of today’s race was fantastic. I didn’t enjoy the 7,5km climb, but the downhill after that was great,” says Arrie de Swardt.
In the Mixed category The Perfect Storm team Dirk Cloete and Heleen Joubert won their third stage today. Says Heleen Joubert: “The Mixed division is very competitive this year. Almost 40% of the field is participating in this category and the teams are challenging each other. I’m not a great technical runner, but once I find my rhythm I’m fine. Cloete adds: “Heleen is a very a strong runner and great partner in an event like this. Your running partner is extremely important and we know each other well. We’re also experienced runners which definitely helped us a lot today – knowing when to hold back and so forth.” They are both looking forward to the last stage but as Heleen says: “It’s not over till it’s over.”
