Pfitzenmaier, Groustra streets ahead in Knysna

NICO Pfitzenmaier and Renay Groustra powered to a third consecutive stage win to claim an emphatic victory in the RECM Knysna 200 yesterday.

The duo showed their technical superiority when they took the lead in extremely muddy conditions on day one and did not relinquish it again.

They set a blistering pace on the final 58km stage through the Harkerville Forest to put the seal on a dominant performance in the three-day, 200km race.

The RSA Web-Dorma teammates cruised into the finish at Thesen Harbour Town in 2:09:20 to take the overall win in 8:13:07. Cannondale-Blend veterans Martin Epstein and Andrew Davies limped home seventh in 2:29:10 after damaging a rim in the closing kilometres.They had, however, done enough to retain the overall runner-up spot in 9:04:41.

Freewheel Cycology's Lucas McDowall and Lionel Murray finished second on the final day in 2:24:58 to remain third overall in 9:24:48.

Hammer Nutrition's Dominic Calitz chased hard to claim the stage (2:09:48) and overall (8:13:36) laurels in the men's solo category.

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