The racing has been amazing this year – perhaps the most exciting ever – and it was fascinating to see how the so called “cross-country riders” took hold of the event. Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann are typical of this type of rider and their tactics may have changed the way the pros approach the race forever. Congratulations to them on a thrilling victory.
And it was good to see Jennie Stenerhag coming home as a winner almost a year to the day after she had heart surgery for an ailment that forced her out of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic. Now that’s a fairytale comeback.
There were quality wins in the other categories too and seeing Tour de France winner Cadel Evans and George Hincapie taking the Masters Category after a dominant day was very exciting.