SAM BENEDICT: It's stage one.
We're at Arabella Wines in Robertson.
We're out in the middle of the mountains.
It's pretty amazing.
Just, literally, mountains in every which direction.
I think we're going to climb all of them today.
After yesterday's bike ride, I feel pretty good.
But we actually ended up pretty good.
I think we're in 43rd position, overall.
After yesterday's sleeping and things like that, not so good.
So I'm really happy that I'm not in my tent anymore.
BENNO WILLEN: Cape Epic the best experience
you definitely get if you stay in the tent.
You have people snoring next to you, people that gets up
to the toilet through the night.
I mean, this is the pure ABSA Cape Epic experience.
And then, of course, the pro guys,
they got their camper van, but it's not like a hotel room
where you have your bathroom and a set up that you're normally
used to.
So it's definitely also different for those guys.
Christoph in front, it's like three minutes and 14 seconds
behind.
So we tried to get some of the time back today.
FRANTISEK RABON: I feel good.
I had a good sleep so I'm sure we put yesterday behind us
and today's a new day.
Today's stage got everything.
Flat, steep climbs.
Maybe 5:00, 6 o'clock in the morning,
we don't look like we're super excited,
but I really want to make a better
day than I made yesterday.
SUBJECT 1: The GC is not defined, yet.
As it will be then in three, four days.
So everybody's really fighting for it, that's for sure.
I'm very, very positive that we can make some positions today.
It's all very tight.
And we have to move forward now.
[CROWD CHEERING]
[HELICOPTER OVERHEAD]
[WINNERS BEING ANNOUNCED]
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
SUBJECT 2: [INAUDIBLE].
We had a flat tire after 5 to 10 kilometers,
so we're chasing back.
We got to the first group, so that was great.
And then 20 kilometers before the finish
when we attack and we got away with topic,
we got another flat tire.
Then I was really tired after that.
Bike was recovered just in time for the finish
and I think we saved the day with second place.
And I think we move up in the GC so end of the day
was quite good.
Benno, you have to speak with Suzie.
He is too hard for me.
BENNO WILLEN: [INAUDIBLE].
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
SUBJECT 3: He knows how to deal with three weeks of stage
racing.
He's riding really, really well.
The next stages are faster, less climbing.
Really so it's [INAUDIBLE] and that's very, very good for us.
BENNO WILLEN: Our team had a puncture very early
in the race, but Ben and Paulo, they
were able to help out Chris up there with just three
minutes down on the overstanding,
and the race is on.
The yellow jersey we can see it.
Yeah.
Sam and Eric are not in yet.
It will take at least another hour, an hour and a half
before we see them.
SAM BENEDICT: I think that was a proper Cape Epic stage.
It rained from about two minutes in.
We got five and a half flat tires
and spent six hours and 20 minutes out on the trail.
That might have been the most painful bike
ride I've ever been on.
If we have to do this every day, Eric
going to have to push me to finish,
but it was an experience.
I think we'll make it.