How hard can the Absa Cape Epic be? Let’s just chuck that out there so you can all roll around on the floor laughing with that ‘oh he is so dead’ hilarity that comes from knowing the answer. No, I’m not trying to be provocative, that is a genuine question. It’s a question that I’ve […]
Who can win the 2016 Absa Cape Epic?
The 2016 Absa Cape Epic is just moments away. Social media feeds have been full of photos and updates from professionals and amateurs the world over, preparing for the challenge of 8 days racing across the Western Cape. As it’s an Olympic year, the race takes on a slightly different shape. Some Olympic hopefuls will […]
The best value mountain bike stage races
Mountain bike racing and riding can take you around the globe. I have used mountain biking as an excuse to travel for about 10 years, thanks to a highly infectious travel bug bite after a long around the world adventure when I was 6. And sure, while I’m away from home I long for my […]
Sauser returns to Cape Epic with Sipho Madolo
Related Event: ABSA Cape Epic
Christoph Sauser is an absolute legend in mountain biking, with performances that have dominated Olympic cross country, marathon racing, stage racing – and being an all-round mountain man on his infamous freeride tours. Although he officially retired after the XCM World Championships this year – no one seems to have told Sauser what that […]
2016 Absa Cape Epic Route Announced
Related Event: ABSA Cape Epic
The 2016 Absa Cape Epic route has been revealed and will contain more singletrack than ever before in the race’s 12-year-history. A total of 110km of the 647km route will be made up of singletrack trails as the eight-days of riding takes riders from Table Mountain to Tulbagh, Wellington, Stellenbosch and Durbanville. Although the 647km […]
Kevin Vermaak set to tackle the Absa Cape Epic
Related Event: ABSA Cape Epic
After 12 years of being the man behind the Absa Cape Epic founder Kevin Vermaak is going to experience his race from a new perspective – on a bike. Since its launch in 2004 Vermaak has grown the eight-day stage race from what was effectively a one-man operation into one of the world’s leading mountain […]
Tips for finding the right stage race partner
Undertaking a big paired stage race might be the highlight of your mountain biking year – but if you pair up with the wrong person, it might be a real low point. Just because you’re great friends with a rider, it doesn’t mean you will end up as a good team. Stage races exist around […]
ABSA Cape Epic change women’s rules
Related Event: ABSA Cape Epic
Much has been said about equality in sport, especially cycling. Mountain biking is quite often more favourable than other disciplines – but that’s not a hard and fast rule. Beyond prize money, there is also the question about equality in the race itself. If men and women start together, is it really a women’s race […]
Ariane Kleinhans: the Swiss mountain goat
Ariane Kleinhans has stood on the top step of the Cape Epic podium, and many South African and Swiss marathon races since beginning her international racing career in 2010. You would think that someone with this racing calibre would have people running around after her at the World Marathon Championships. However, the understated marathon specialist […]
Our favourite moments from the 2015 Absa Cape Epic
Related Event: ABSA Cape Epic
The Cape Epic is the stand out event on the mountain bike calendar. Depending who you ask, it’s bigger than the World Championships. The event showcases the beautiful Western Cape of South Africa to the world. with 1200 riders racing across such a varied landscape, starting at dawn, the photographers and videographers do an amazing […]