First Car Rental Drives SCOTT-SRAM to 2017 ABSA Cape Epic Victory
First Car Rental were proud to be the Official Transport Sponsor to the successful Swiss SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Teams at the 2017 ABSA Cape Epic
April 2017 - The ABSA Cape Epic is the toughest mountain bike stage race in the world. The race is wild, untamed and often hostile, and yet, at times, it is staggeringly beautiful.
The Western Cape race, which covers some 600km with over 15 000m of climbing, pushes the riders' spirit and equipment to the limit. Riders are challenged both physically and mentally.
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing opened its 2017 season at the ABSA Cape Epic, entering three teams into the eight-day stage race.
- SCOTT-SRAM MTB RACING - Olympic and World Champion, Nino Schurter, raced with new team member, Matthias Stirnemann
- SCOTT-SRAM Young Guns - Michiel van der Heijden teamed up with Andri Frischknecht
- SCOTT-SRAM Nextlevel (Mixed) - Olympic Champion, Jenny Rissveds, raced with team manager, Thomas Frischknecht
After 8 days of hard, strategic racing, SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team, Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann, stood on the 2017 ABSA Cape Epic podium winning the Overall General Classification Title.
SCOTT-SRAM Nextlevel, Jenny Rissveds, and Thomas Frischknecht won the Mixed Team Title.
SCOTT-SRAM Young Guns, Michiel van der Heijden and Andri Frischknecht, won the final Stage 7, and came 6th in General Classification.
The SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing riders pose for a quick snap with the First Car Rental sponsored vehicle at the 2017 ABSA Cape Epic.
A Big Thank You
Joggie Prinsloo - SCOTT Brand Manager, SCOTT Sports Africa
"From a very thankful and tired, but super successful SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team, we would like to thank you, First Car Rental, for contributing to our amazing success at the ABSA Cape Epic this year! Your support means a lot to us and we hope that this can become a long-lasting partnership."
Scott2LuvIt on Instagram
"Thank you, First Car Rental, for being our official transport partner and helping us make this ABSA Cape Epic win possible!"
Thomas Frischknecht - SCOTT-SRAM Nextlevel
"A big, huge, thank you for all you do for us! This collaboration makes our lives so much easier. I hope you enjoyed the success of the team - which you are a part of too."
SCOTT-Odlo on Twitter
"We get some great support here in South Africa - First Car Rental as our official transport partner was a great help at the ABSA Cape Epic."
Left: Nino Schurter and Matthias Stirnemann (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing) celebrate their ABSA Cape Epic title.
Right:Thomas Frischknecht and Jenny Rissveds (SCOTT-SRAM Nextlevel) dominated the Virgin Active Mixed Category at the 2017 ABSA Cape Epic.
Nino Schurter + Matthias Stirnemann (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing)
| Stage | Time | Cat. Position | GC Position |
| Prologue | 01:03:28,8 | 2 | 2 |
| Stage 1 | 04:29:22,7 | 4 | 4 |
| Stage 2 | 02:33:17,3 | 2 | 2 |
| Stage 3 | 03:03:46,4 | 2 | 2 |
| Stage 4 | 04:10:00,7 | 2 | 2 |
| Stage 5 | 03:50:38,5 | 1 | 1 |
| Stage 6 | 04:26:38,9 | 1 | 1 |
| Stage 7 | 2:57:53,2 | 3 | 3 |
| Overall | 26:35:06,5 | 1 | 1 |
Michiel van der Heijden + Andri Frischknecht (SCOTT-SRAM Young Guns)
| Stage | Time | Cat. Position | GC Position |
| Prologue | 01:06:44,2 | 12 | 12 |
| Stage 1 | 04:36:05,9 | 9 | 9 |
| Stage 2 | 02:36:18,5 | 6 | 6 |
| Stage 3 | 03:11:17,5 | 9 | 9 |
| Stage 4 | 04:10:00,3 | 1 | 1 |
| Stage 5 | 03:50:39,4 | 2 | 2 |
| Stage 6 | 04:40:38,2 | 6 | 6 |
| Stage 7 | 02:57:14,9 | 1 | 1 |
| Overall | 27:08:58,9 | 6 | 6 |
Jenny Rissveds + Thomas Frischknecht (SCOTT-SRAM Nextlevel)
| Stage | Time | Cat. Position | GC Position |
| Prologue | 1:17:47,7 | 1 | 51 |
| Stage 1 | 05:19:27,0 | 1 | 40 |
| Stage 2 | 03:05:19,2 | 1 | 44 |
| Stage 3 | 03:38:34,1 | 1 | 37 |
| Stage 4 | 04:54:59,2 | 1 | 35 |
| Stage 5 | 04:26:09,9 | 1 | 29 |
| Stage 6 | 05:23:29,7 | 1 | 42 |
| Stage 7 | 03:21:42,6 | 1 | 29 |
| Overall | 31:27:29,4 | 1 | 36 |
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