A Historic Women’s Race Format The UCI Women’s race saw an important structural change in 2026. For many years, the elite women raced the exact same distance as the men. This year the organisers introduced a new format designed to balance overall race time and improve broadcast coverage. The elite women started 24 kilometres into…
Stage 1 Race Report – 2026 Absa Cape Epic Montagu, Western Cape – 90km | 2,150m climbing The opening marathon stage of the Absa Cape Epic delivered exactly what the race is famous for: drama, tactical racing and early general classification tension. Stage 1 started and finished in the historic town of Montagu and immediately…
A diverse network of trails in the Klein Karoo featuring scenic mountain passes, technical singletrack, and relaxed town loops.
How a Karoo Town Built One of South Africa’s Most Exciting Trail Networks Tucked into the dramatic folds of the Langeberg Mountains along Route 62, the small Western Cape town of Montagu has long been known for its hot springs, dried fruit farms and spectacular Karoo landscapes. In recent years, however, the town has quietly…
Both the racing and the weather were hot as SA riders Beers and Nortje narrowly won the opening Prologue at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic while compatriot Candice Lill and Swiss partner Alessandra Keller dominated the women’s race. Both the winning teams led the stage from the earliest checkpoints with Beers and Nortje winning by…
The 2026 Absa Cape Epic kicked off with explosive intensity today at the Meerendal Wine Estate. In a discipline often decided by mere seconds, the Men’s Elite field proved that the “Untamed” race is as competitive as ever. Local favorites and international stars battled through the 20km course, which featured 650m of punchy climbing and…
The 2026 Absa Cape Epic roared into life today at Meerendal Wine Estate. In the Elite Women’s category, the spotlight belonged to Alessandra Keller and Candice Lill (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi), who proved exactly why they were the pre-race favorites for a high-intensity opener. The Prologue: A Masterclass in XCO Power The 20km course, packed…
Women’s Racing Already Gets 87% Parity — And 2026 Could Change the Game Forever For years, debates about equality in sport have often focused on prize money, participation, and media coverage. In professional cycling, however, one race has quietly been rewriting the rules long before equality became a fashionable talking point. The Absa Cape Epic,…
The 2026 Absa Cape Epic starts in Meerendal near Cape Town with both the men’s and women’stitles wide open. Three-time champion Matt Beers teams up with Tristan Nortje after KeeganSwenson’s withdrawal, while several international pairings will challenge for the podium. In thewomen’s race, the absence of the defending champions has created a competitive field, withKate…
Every year, thousands of riders dream about lining up at the start of the Absa Cape Epic. It’s the race that sits at the very top of the mountain biking bucket list — eight days of racing through the rugged beauty of the Western Cape, battling heat, dust, and the relentless ticking of the clock….