Siphe Ncapayi finished the opening stage of the BUCO Dr Evil Classic 11 minutes and 2 seconds behind the stage winner. On Friday’s Stage 2, which started and finished at Kurland Hotel, he reduced that deficit to just 34 seconds. With two third place finishes now to his name, it is clear that, the Kwano Cycling Academy rider is one of the race’s stand out performers.
The beautifully lush fields of the Kurland Hotel hosted the start and finish of Stage 2 of the BUCO Dr Evil Classic on Friday, 20 September. Photo by Oakpics.com.
“Today I really wanted to race with Matthew [Leppan] and Martin [Schuttertt] for as long as I could” Ncapayi said with a smile, having secured third place on Stage 2 of the BUCO Dr Evil Classic. “Yesterday I was too far behind, but today was better and I was happy to be able to keep up with them and learn from Matthew and Martin.”
“Tomorrow I’m aiming for a second or maybe even a stage win!” he finished. Given that he will be riding the Cairnbrogie and Harkerville singletracks which he knows like the back of his hand that could be very possible. Though he will have to beat fellow local, and the rider currently in second on the general classification, Leppan; to claim victory.
Siphe Ncapayi (left) and Matthew Leppan (centre) shake hands on the podium of the BUCO Dr Evil Classic Stage 2. Photo by Oakpics.com.
“The Kwano Cycling Academy is actually focused on education” Ncapayi went on to explain. “The name comes from Kwanokuthula, the historically disadvantaged community outside Plettenberg Bay. There are about 50 children in the academy and they get help with their school homework and assignments. It is growing and more children are joining every year, which is great.”
Ncapayi was narrowly beaten on the stage by the race’s general classification leader Martin Schuttertt and Plettenberg Bay’s Matthew Leppan. Having lost out to Schuttertt by 7 minutes on Stage 1, Leppan remained with the Dutch rider all the way back to the finish line at Kurland Hotel. The local outsprinted the visitor on the grassy uphill run-in, taking the stage honours by a single second. Leppan’s winning time was 1 hour, 50 minutes and 15 seconds for the 45-kilometre stage.
Stage 2 featured a mix of plantation and indigenous forest riding. Photo by Oakpics.com.
In the solo women’s race Nicky Giliomee continued her dominance. The young woman from Knysna held off the 2018 BUCO Dr Evil Classic champion Nikki Biesheuvel by 7 minutes and 31 seconds. Louise Ferreira was third, nearly 10 minutes slower than Gilliomee’s winning time of 2 hours, 9 minutes and 29 seconds.
The third and final stage of the race sees the riders take on a 51-kilometre-long loop from Cairnbrogie. The last stage features just 800 metres of climbing, making it the lest taxing of the BUCO Dr Evil Classic stages. To keep updated on proceedings from Plettenberg Bay mountain biking fans can follow @DrEvilClassicon Twitter. While to view all the photos and videos from the race follow @drevilclassicon Instagram or like the Dr Evil ClassicFacebook page.
Martin Schuttertt, the general classification leader of the BUCO Dr Evil Classic, sets the pace for Matthew Leppan and Siphe Ncapayi on Stage 2. Photo by Oakpics.com.
BUCO Dr Evil Classic Results | Stage 2
Solo Men
- Matthew Leppan (01:50:15)
- Martin Schuttertt (01:50:16)
- Siphe Ncapayi (01:50:49)
Solo Women
- Nicky Giliomee (02:09:29)
- Nikki Biesheuvel (02:17:02)
- Louise Ferreira (02:18:40)
Men’s Team
- Bike Shop: Kevin & Shannon (01:51:51)
- S&J Hiring: Neil & Johan (01:53:43)
- Bosman Bros: Jaco & Cecil (02:06:50)
Women’s Teams
- Feather Brookies: Judith & Annelie (03:06:42)
- MTB App: Kim & Desiree (03:22:41)
Mixed Teams
- Abercrombied Fitch: Gerard & Elizma (02:27:33)
- Just Lose It: Greg & Jade (02:31:53)
- Orange House: Annamarie & Darryl (02:36:49)
eBike
- Greg Ritz (02:05:25)
For the full results from the BUCO Dr Evil Classic please visit www.drevilclassic.com.
