Leaders double up at Cape to Cape

Stage two of the 2017 Cape to Cape headed to the beautiful Leeuwin Estate. Driving in, riders were greeted by towering trees, a bubbling brook and rolling green pasture. This would be a stark difference to the hot racing that was about to ensue.

The course was slated to have almost 30km of singletrack and connecting trails through Boranup Forest.

The first 20km rolled pretty easily by all accounts, and of course the problem when the lite don't go ful gas is riders well from behind, and sometimes riders not used to go so fast when the pace lifts can find themselves beyond their ability.

With the race becoming more animated, it was clear riders like Brendan Johnston, 2016 winner Tasman Nankervis and both Ward brothers, Cam Ivory, Reece Tucknott, Andrew Blair and more were all in contention.

There was some drama as Kyle Ward crashed badly, and has a suspected broken collarbone. Mark Tupalski and Ryan Standish stopped to help him out (and hide him from view when Samara Sheppard, his partner, came past as the leading woman).

With Ward junior (Jayden) taking a flyer into a hill, by his own admission because he wanted a head start, he was then away, and it was just Johnston who came across at first, then pushed on. 

At the finish it was Brendan Johnston who came into sight in the leaders' jersey, winding down out of the tall trees and into the vineyards, arms aloft as he crossed the finish line.

Jayden Ward powers into 2nd place.

A small group followed, with Jayden Ward taking out the sprint for 2nd, Cam Ivory was 3rd with TasmanNankervis 4th, Rohin Adams is 5th on the score sheet although t looked like Reece Tucknott had crossed first. The finished on the same time.

Reece Tucknott does a dirty mug shot after a race like few other people can manage.

 

Samara Sheppard ruled the women's race again, finishing three and a half minutes ahead of Peta Mullens, with Briony Mattocks in 3rd. This gives Sheppard a good, but not rock solid lead for the next two stages. But with the dirt crit this afternoon seemingly custom-made for a rider like Peta Mullens, she might lose a minute of that advantage.

 

 

Full results from today are online.

Team Specialized debrief. These guys have the experience, the strength and nous to shake things up a lot on the next two stages. but will they have the luck?

 

Race, wash, lube, repeat.

McConnell and Carlson share an embrace after the race. No one is having an easy day!

 

 

Bredan might be leading the race but the camera knows who to focus on.