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Platt wins Grape Escape stage

Cape Town - In what was another sprint finish, Karl Platt (Bulls) again emerged victorious at the second stage of Saturday’s Columbia Grape Escape. Next over the finish line was Burry Stander (Specialized USN), followed by Kevin Evans (Team 360life) in third place.

Cherise Taylor (USN), Stander’s fiancé, was the first lady across the finish line, followed by Hannele Steyn-Kotze (Attix5 Ladies).

“Today was an open race: nobody punctured, everybody was lucky. I knew it was going to come down to a sprint finish. I rode smart and in the finish I had the stronger legs,” Platt said. “I was hoping to win one stage of the Columbia Grape Escape, now I’ve won two. We’ll have to see about tomorrow. A quick recovery is vital.”

Commenting on the race conditions, Stander said “the course was harder than yesterday and the terrain rougher, but it is the heat rather than the course which makes this race tough. The cyclists riding at the back are going to have a hard time today.”

Just over 70 mountain bikers decided not to start the second stage of the Columbia Grape Escape due to the extreme heat conditions.

“Today was another great day of riding in exceptionally hot weather. Boschendal Wine Estate as the finish venue for the second stage has proved to be a huge success with the stunning grounds offering the riders welcome relief from the hot, dry, dusty and difficult course,” explained David Bellairs, CEO of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust.

The Pretoria-based MD of Columbia Sportswear, Pieter Strobos, enjoyed today’s stage. “Rides like these make me want to move to Cape Town.” 

Stage 2 – Race Results

Men:
1st - Karl Platt (03:04:13)
2 nd – Burry Stander (03:04:13)
3rd – Kevin Evans (03:04:13)

Women:
1st - Cherise Taylor (03:36:40)
2nd - Hannele Steyn-Kotze (03:44:13)
3rd – Hannelie Booyens (03:56:43)
 
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