The first day of the Cape Epic 2023 race was a prologue of 27 kilometers. The pair of Stošek/Seewald took 4th place, but Martin did not have optimistic feelings after the race.

"My feelings in the second half of the prologue were crazy, de facto Andy was waiting for me after half an hour and was more or less still in front. For the last five kilos I felt like we were parking, I was no longer able to drive over 400 watts, while Andy was able to go up each hill over 500. It wasn't bad for how bad I felt, but if Andy rode alone today, he would win," Martin told journalists after the prologue.

The back-up team finished in 7th position and Vakoč and Stutzmann, on the other hand, were satisfied with it.

In the first stage of 98 kilometers, both teams performed great. The number one pair took fourth place, just 34 seconds behind the winner, while the back-up team was fifth. The second stage was completed by both Canyon Northwave teams together in fifth and sixth position. However, the crisis came at stage 3. Martin and Andreas had to deal with a rear wheel defect. The subsequent loss at the finish was over 11 minutes.

In the fourth stage, Stošek and Seewald took fourth place, yet neither of them felt in one hundred percent shape and the time loss was again great.

On the contrary, the form improved for the Vakoč/Stutzmann duo, who showed a great performance in the sixth stage, fought for the podium until the last kilometers and eventually finished in 5th place.

The final stage to Val de Vie was more successful for Team 1, finishing 4th and securing 5th place in the overall standings. The back-up pair finished eighth and 7th overall.

The Canyon Northwave team leaves Africa with mixed feelings. 5th and 7th place in the overall ranking is not a failure, but also a success, because the riders left for South Africa with medal ambitions.

"The Cape Epic is over. The guys fought, but we didn't get the result we were aiming for and we know it. Martin and Andreas encountered technical problems, but it does not change the fact that the opponents were simply better. It's a great motivation for us for next year, we will come back stronger," said Canyon Northwave Team Manager Kristián Hynek.

Former road racer Petr Vakoč was satisfied with his first participation in the Cape Epic: "I enjoyed it, but it was incredibly difficult. I'm glad that we continued the way we did and that we fought just behind the podium on every stage and for the podium yesterday. I'm glad that we kept it today, even though I suffered the most of all days, I felt bad. But it was a beautiful race, in the final it was technically easier than I expected and I surprised myself how well it went. Apart from the cross country racers, I was able to ride with everyone. I got into it today too and it was euphoria, I really enjoyed it."

After arriving from South Africa, the riders will have a short rest and then return to full training. They will not be able to wait long for other races. On April 29, Andreas and Marco will take part in the Riva Bike Festival in Italy, and on April 30, Martin Stošek will start the Czech Championship.

Photo: Michal Červený