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Early Bird Entries SOLD OUT

EARLY BIRD ENTRIES

Opens 25 March 2024 - 15:00 (GMT+2)

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2025 Early bird entries SOLD OUT

By Cape Epic 03/25/2024, 4:45am HST

The highly anticipated early bird entries for the 2025 Absa Cape Epic sold out as soon as they became available. Since its inception in 2004, the Absa Cape Epic has consistently sold out, and this Monday was no exception. Many eager participants were poised and counting the seconds until registration opened at 3 pm.

A fitting and fine Grand Finale

By Absa Cape Epic 03/24/2024, 5:15am HST

Coetzenberg Stadium in Stellenbosch played host to a fitting final stage of the 20th Absa Cape Epic. The stage over 67km with 2000m of climbing saw dynamic, aggressive racing in all the categories and featured the coldest conditions of the week. The contrast to the heat of the week was fitting and indicative of what it takes to complete this race. Every rider who crossed the line at the Grand Finale after 603km and nearly 16 050m of climbing has a very special place in The Book of Legend.

After a week of tactical racing, the undisputed powerhouses of 2024 however, was the team of Matthew Beers and Howard Grotts (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) winning two stages to lay claim to the Yellow Leader Jerseys and adding to the Specialized legacy and trophy cabinet.

Simon Schneller and Urs Huber (BULLS Mavericks) won Stage 7 - the Grand Finale - of the Absa Cape Epic men’s race, but it was Matt Beers and Howard Grotts of Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne who claimed the overall title at the 2024 event. 

In the Aramex Women’s Category, Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller (GHOST Factory Racing) won an eighth stage in a row on their way to the 2024 Absa Cape Epic title. By winning every stage of the 2024 race (the Prologue and seven stages), the Dutch-Swiss combo matched the performance of Laura Stigger and Sina Frei, who also won eight stages on their way to the 2021 title. 

With some tired bodies and minds amongst the elite riders - leader Matt Beers admitting to lack of sleep and stomach issues on the finish line - the early pace on the 67km, Stellenbosch Stage 7 loop was sedate by the past week’s standards.

Cool Temperatures, Hot Racing

By Absa Cape Epic 03/23/2024, 4:15am HST

A damp, cool morning in Stellenbosch provided a welcome respite from a week of blistering temperatures for riders on the penultimate stage of the Absa Cape Epic. Stage 6 was a testing challenge over 87km with 2400 metres of climbing featuring some of the spectacular singletrack trail network in the Stellenbosch Winelands. The route saw riders pass twice through Muratie Wine Estate in the Knorhoek Valley on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain. From there it took in some of Dirtopia’s best riding, before heading for Stellenbosch along Morgenhof’s new singletracks. The Idas Valley trails provided a last treat before the final test up the steep Botmaskop climb before they came home to the spectacular race village in the natural amphitheatre that is Coetzenberg. 

Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne and GHOST Factory racing once again dominated their categories, winning the stage and extending their leads in the overall general classification at the same time, while there were loads of punctures and mechanicals behind them. The attrition continued further back in the field proving just why this race is not over until you roll over the line at the Grand Finale.

Penultimate Stage Proves Pivotal At 2024 Absa Cape Epic

By Absa Cape Epic 03/23/2024, 3:30am HST

It appears that only major disasters can prevent Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne (Matt Beers and Howard Grotts) and GHOST Factory Racing (Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller) from winning the Men’s and Aramex Women’s Category respectively at the 2024 Absa Cape Epic.

On the 87km Stage 6 in Stellenbosch, the event’s penultimate day of racing, Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne and GHOST Factory racing once again dominated their categories, winning the stage and extending their leads in the overall general classification at the same time.

Beers and Grotts go into Sunday’s Stage 7, known as the Grand Finale, nine minutes clear of second-placed World Bicycle Relief (Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini) in the general classification, while in the Aramex Women’s Category, Terpstra and Koller hold a lead of just under four minutes over Cannondale Factory Racing (Candice Lill and Mona Mitterwallner) with the final day of racing to come.

When the field rolled off the start line at the Prologue in Lourensford on Sunday 17 March, there were 11 Epic Legends ‘in waiting’ who took to the trails in a bid to add yet another Epic Series finish to their palmarès and add their names to the Legends Hall of Fame. One of those almost legends was Swiss masters rider Sergey Yakubanets.

Between Yakubanets and his unique Epic Legend medal, lay some 603 Untamed kilometres and some 16050 metres of climbing. Epic Legend status is reserved for riders who have completed three Epic Series Legend events, including an Absa Cape Epic. Yakubanets had completed five Spar Swiss Epics and the Andorra Epic before coming to the Southern tip of Africa to ride the pinnacle of the Epic Series, the Absa Cape Epic.

 

ABSA Cape Epic is waiting

Follow the Absa Cape Epic

Live Broadcast, Rider tracking, Race updates, Spectator information, Results and Key Event information 

Stay up to date! With the official Epic Series App, you won’t miss any news. Get helpful race information, have a look at the event schedule whenever you need and enjoy the live rider tracking and the best spectator hotspots for friends & family.

App

Follow the race

App

Follow the Absa Cape Epic

Live Broadcast, Rider tracking, Race updates, Spectator information, Results and Key Event information 

Stay up to date! With the official Epic Series App, you won’t miss any news. Get helpful race information, have a look at the event schedule whenever you need and enjoy the live rider tracking and the best spectator hotspots for friends & family.

2024 Event Guide | Chapter 2

2024 Event Guide | Chapter 1

Follow the UNTAMED

The Absa Cape Epic is held in a place where anything can happen: Africa.

Wild and open, sometimes inhospitable and other times staggeringly beautiful, this land both tests and surprises all who tackle its ungroomed trails. When the sounds of the cicadas are harsher than the heat they proclaim, when icy mornings lead to driving rain, you can be certain that both equipment and spirit will be pushed to the limit. In this place, where roads hardened year-round by the sun can turn to quicksand overnight, you and your partner will be challenged mentally, physically and emotionally. 

Yet still, Africa’s Untamed majesty beckons. 

Event Overview

What to expect

Spectator information

Visit the Race

Past Winners

Legends of the sport

Jerseys Winners

UCI Men

Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne
Matthew BEERS
Howard GROTTS

Aramex UCI Women

GHOST Factory Racing
Anne TERPSTRA
Nicole KOLLER

Amateur

Amateur

MEN: Latvian wannabe pro cycling 
Lauris PURNINS 
Oskars MUIZNIEKS

WOMEN: Ar&Co
Paula LOPEZ
Alejandra Cristina TATTENBACH ARIAS

Toyota Mixed

Toyota Gazoo Racing
Riaan WEIDEMAN
Samantha SANDERS

NTT DATA Masters

MEN: Bulls Masters
Karl PLATT
Tomás MISSER VILASECA

WOMEN: Asterix&Cleopatra
Nina BRENN
Barbara SCHWARZ

Grand Masters

Grand Masters

Pedal Project
Oliver IMFELD
Thomas JAUNER

Great Grand Masters

Great Grand Masters

Meerendal
Barti BUCHER
Peter FURRER

Special Jerseys

ABSA Africa Men

Absa Africa Men

PYGA Euro Steel
Philip BUYS
Pieter DU TOIT

ABSA Africa Women

Absa Africa Women

#SheUntamed
Sarah HILL
Hayley SMITH

Exxaro

Exxaro

The Coopetto
Halalisani Njabulo NDEBELE
Siyanda GUMEDE

Keep up to speed on the latest Epic Series event updates.

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Title and Headline Sponsors

Epic Series Technical Partners

Keep up to speed on the latest Epic Series event updates.

If the idea of racing your mountain bike all around the world appeals to you, sign up for our newsletter for the latest on Epic Series events, captivating trails and rider updates.

By clicking subscribe, you are agreeing to the Epic Series privacy policy and agree to receive emails from Epic Series.

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