José Hermida and Rudi Van Houts clinched victory in Cape Epic prologue, in South Africa, one of the most difficult stages races of mountain bike season, on Sunday March 23rd. Multivan-Merida’s duo clocked a 59.08 time.
On a 23-kilometre course, the two riders equipped with Northwave Extreme Tech Plus shoes powered to a 12-second victory over Switzerland’s Lukas Fluckiger and Martin while German’s Robert Mennen andKristian Hynek (Topeak-Ergon Racing), equipped with Extreme Tech MTB Plus as well, claimed third, 1:20behind the stage winners.
Two more riders sponsored by the Italian brand, Jochen Kaess (Centurion Vende) and Sally Bigham(Meerendal) finished 4th and 2nd in the men and women’s race respectively.
Meanwhile, Saturday March 22nd, Cannondale Factory’s Manuel Fumic and Marco Aurelio Fontana placed second and third respectively, in round 3 (cross country) of the US Cup (California), behind winner Daniel McConnell (Trek Factory).
In the same race, New Zealand’s Anton Cooper (Cannondale Factory) and his Extreme Tech MTB Plus claimed seventh on the day while his team-mate Max Plaxton is sitting in third place overall behind Geoff Kabush (Scott 3 Rox Racing). Fontana and Fumic currently occupy the fifth position ex aequo.
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
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