Riders almost ready to say goodbye to Ceres

For Stage 3 of the Absa Cape Epic riders experienced fast open roads taking the field to a short section of smooth, flowing singletrack. Riders were relieved to reach water point 1 after a leg-trashing 3km climb out of the Ceres bowl and up onto a plateau. A rough dual track then headed through some rare fynbos. Riders needed to stay alert on the challenging downhill section. Almost half of the day’s climbing was done within the first 40km. After traversing the farmlands past a very inviting dam, riders hugged the foothills of Matroosberg. More descending took them back down into the Ceres bowl, the first section was on tar, but the next was technical. The last climb of the stage was short but very steep and loose, forcing riders to walk. The profile appeared fairly flat from there on. The sandy patches and devil thorns on the last 15km almost broke the participants’ spirits.

It will be the last night that Absa Cape Epic participants will be staying in Ceres before heading off to Worcester during Stage 4 (for two stages). Worcester is tucked away in the magnificent Brandwacht and Langeberg mountains with the Breede and Hex Rivers flowing either side of it, complimented by vineyards and luscious green valleys. Worcester is the most central point of the Cape Winelands District as well as the focal and economic hub of the Breede Valley. Situated on the main route between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, Worcester forms part of the Cape Route 62, the longest wine route in the world and offers visitors beautiful sceneries, award winning wines and great adventure. Its location is just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Hermanus, Ceres, Tulbagh, Robertson and Stellenbosch and serves as a well deserved stopover for the traveller to experience true hospitality, friendliness and excellent cuisine.