Both KMC-Fruit to Go duo’s finished with a fourth place just behind the podium on first day of Cape Pioneer Trek in South Africa. The fast stage over 96 kilometers led the bikers through nature reserve Gondwana where you can spot the big five. This time it was only a meet and greet with the buffalo where Mos last year was chased by a giraffe.
‘Gerben was stronger so he made me really suffer today. Now I know how that feels again as last year the role was the other way around. But this was just the first stage so enough chances to make Gerben suffer later in week.’, stated Rood with a smile. The stage was won by South African duo Alan Hatherley and Matthew Beers followed by last years winners Nico Bell and Gawie Combrinck. In the mixed category Karen Brouwer and Ramses Bekkenk arrived shortly behind the numbers three but with respectable backlog on winning duo Carmen Buchacher and Charles MC Fall in Mosselbay.