ABSA CAPE EPIC – The Magical + Untamed African MTB Race:
About the Race
The Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas takes place every year around the last week of March and the first week of April. The race is held over 8 days and includes a time-trial prologue. The route changes every year, and leads aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through approximately 800 kilometres of the unspoilt nature of the Western Cape and up approximately 16 000m of climbing over some of the most magnificent passes in South Africa.
Ride in Teams of Two
All riders must enter as a two-rider team. Teams register in one of four different categories that include Men, Ladies, Mixed and Masters. The minimum age of participation is 18 on race day. The riders in a team must remain together at all times during the race and are expected to reach the finish line by 17h00 daily. At each stage, the winners of the day receive prizes and the leaders in the overall classification are awarded their leader jerseys.
Focus on Rider Satisfaction
The Absa Cape Epic is organised and presented with all participating athletes at the focal point. The athletes’ satisfaction, well-being and enjoyment of the race are the organisers’ primary goals. We aim to deliver an unsurpassed and unforgettable mountain bike and African travel-experience. Therefore, we offer 24-hour full service facilities during the race, including tented accommodation in race villages, carbo-loaded breakfasts and dinners, race nutrition, bike servicing, masseurs, and stage location specific entertainment every evening.
New Route Every Year
The route of the Absa Cape Epic changes every year and riders will see wide open African plains, majestic mountains, deep ravines, indigenous forests, spectacular coastlines and flourishing vineyards.
The route is characterised by dusty and demanding gravel paths, strenuous rocky uphills, thrilling technical downhills, magnificent river crossings and stunning forested single tracks.
Full Service Race
The Absa Cape Epic is the largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world. Race nutrition, water, and isotonic carbohydrate drinks are available at the feed zones to revive tired riders during the race. At night, all riders and race crew sleep in the tented race villages that are set up prior to arrival and taken down immediately after the start each morning by the race crew.
In 2009: BEST ROUTE EVER SAYS LADIES WINNERS
First to cross the finish line in the Ladies was the Absa Ladies team of Hanlie Booyens and Sharon Laws. They won all of the stages as well as the prologue and completed the race in 37:18:20. They were followed by Robyn Adendorff and Sarah van Heerden (WSP – Jeep Girls) in an overall time of 42:19:45. In third place in an overall time of 43:41:39 were Nolene Saunders and Sarah Wielopolska of the Tread Magazine Ladies team.
Says winner, Hanlie Booyens (Absa Ladies): “We tried to ride as hard as possible in order to compete with the whole field, not only the other ladies. I felt a bit tired the last two days, but Sharon was going strong. I must admit I also enjoyed this year’s route much more than previous years. It was real mountain biking.”
Promo video for the 2011 race, coming up March 27th – April 3rd:
For more information, and to register, go to: www.cape-epic.com
