Race Update

Racers are fighting through downpours and muddy roads. For the men, Jos Kaal is intent to reclaim two 12-hour penalties and took two stages by well over a half an hour. A chronic tire problem yesterday kept Kaal from taking stage 50. Chris Willie is cruising along on a brand new road bike and is probably wishing he had his mountain bike back for the Arusha to Aringa stretch. Bernd Prorok is enjoying the hills and mud as it suits his mountain biking background. For the ladies, Jo Foster, a recently joined sectional racer, is giving Deb Corbeil some stiff competition. During the first stage of the Snows of Kilimanjaro section, Foster came in 11 minutes before Corbeil; however, once the tarmac ended the following stage, Corbeil answered back with a two hours gain. Things are beginning to heat up in the race to Cape Town.