Race Preview | Absa Cape Epic – “The Toughest Competition Ever”

You might be surprised to find out that there are other mountain bike stage races other than Enduro, who knew! All jokes aside, the Cape Epic is one to watch. It attracts the most elite racers in the world to the mountain passes of South Africa. The long-distance stages will almost always cause mechanical failures and surprise standings, making for an interesting race to follow!

The Absa Cape Epic is the world’s premier mountain bike stage race. The route changes every year, leading aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through roughly 800km of unspoilt scenery and 15 000m of accumulated climbing, over some of the most magnificent mountain passes in Western Cape in South Africa.

The Absa Cape Epic is the most televised mountain bike stage race in the world and the only eight-day mountain bike stage race classed as hors catégorie by the Union Cycliste Interacionale (UCI). This official UCI status makes it a highlight on the professional racer’s calendar. The Absa Cape Epic also attracts aspiring amateur riders wanting to test themselves against the best. It is a full-service race, meaning that everything is taken care of from the start – all riders need to think about is riding.

This year the Untamed African stage race takes place from 15 to 22 March 2015, and will once again take 1200 riders through some of the Western Cape’s most unspoilt territory. The race commences with a prologue on Table Mountain, starting from the University of Cape Town, and finishing eight days later at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville.

Meerendal Wine Estate will be hosting the finish of the race and the Grand Finale celebrations for the very first time on 22 March 2015. The Grand Finale will kick off with live entertainment, a Farmer’s Market, delectable food and wine as well as glorious scenery. Vantage points will be accessible to the general public, so that all may have a piece of the mountain biking action. Experience the Grand Finale in style, Hospitality tickets are available on the website.

Jaroslav Kulhavy is the reigning champion and along with his Swiss team partner, Christoph Sauser is looking to defend that title. Their legendary experience in both XC and marathon riding will make them extremely tough to beat. Their main competition comes from Kristian Hynek and Alban Lakata of the Topeak/Ergon team. Karl Platt is a stage racing expert and his experience could be what it takes to make it to the top this year, he is currently tied at 4 with Christoph Sauser for Cape Epic wins. The full video of the men’s contenders can be found here.

Here is more about the race from the perspective of a racer:

Ariane Kleinhans is under no illusions about the challenge that will confront her and partner Annika Langvad when they defend their Absa Cape Epic title next month: “We will definitely face the toughest competition ever at this year’s Cape Epic,” she said. The Swiss/Danish duo won in compelling fashion from Esther Süss of Switzerland and Briton Sally Bigham in 2014. This year Bigham will ride with Slovenian Blaza Klemencic and Süss with Belgian Alice Pirard.

“That’s two very strong contenders for the overall win already,” said Kleinhans. “Obviously Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå, who’s the most-decorated female mountain biker in the world, and eliminator world champ Kathrin Stirnemann, will also be a team to watch out for. Then there are also the Swedish and South African champs – Jennie Stenerhag and Robyn de Groot respectively – who have challenged me many times before at the races and seem to get stronger every year. But this is only a shortlist from the ladies field – I’m sure there will be even more teams who will make it very difficult to defend our title.”

See Ariane and Annike in the 2015 Sasol Women’s Category Who to Watch video:

Both were lavish in their praise for the Absa Cape Epic: “It has become the most prestigious mountain bike event in the world,” said Kleinhans. “Because of the great media coverage, it is a fantastic platform for us athletes and has contributed a lot towards professionalising our sport. The whole mountain bike industry got catapulted forward by this event. Even though it is organised very well already, the people behind the scenes step it up every year to set a new top standard for sport events.” Langavd added: “The Absa Cape Epic is legendary, and will continue to be.”

Words: Cape Epic PR Photos: 1: Ewald Sadie, 3: Emma Harrop, 4-6: Nick Muzik, 7-8: Karin Schermbrucker

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