Schurter/Colombo have to give in to the final sprint of stage 3 of the Absa Cape Epic

Due to temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees, today's stage started 15 minutes earlier and was slightly shortened. Nevertheless, the mountain bikers had to cover 78km and 2,450 meters of altitude in the South African heat. Stage 3, which marks the halfway point in terms of days but not kilometers, led through the mountains of Paarl and is dotted with numerous single trails, as well as loose and dusty ascents and descents. After over 3 hours of racing, the stage was decided in the final sprint. It was the Italian duo from WILLIER-VITTORIA, Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto, who secured today's stage victory after the prologue. They managed to beat the Swiss Nino Schurter and Filippo Colombo from the SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team in the last meters. Schurter & Colombo continue to hold the yellow jersey.