7 Wins. 8 Stages. 0 Doubts. For years, the narrative surrounding Candice Lill at the Absa Cape Epic was one of “almost.” Five second-place finishes had painted a picture of a rider who was remarkably consistent, immensely talented, but perhaps perpetually shadowed by the unpredictable nature of the Untamed. In 2026, however, that narrative wasn’t…
Stage 5: The Queen Stays Queen Every Cape Epic has a “Queen Stage”—the day that defines the race, usually featuring the most vertical gain and the most technical terrain. In 2026, Stage 5 was a brutal odyssey that promised to either cement the lead or invite a late-race coup. Instead of playing it safe and…
By the time the race hits its halfway mark at the Absa Cape Epic, the mood has shifted. What began with nervous excitement and fresh legs has hardened into something far more raw, far more honest. This is where the race stops pretending. The Race Finds Its Truth The first few days are always a…
It was a day of relentless climbing, dusty technical descents, and high-stakes tactical maneuvering. While the rugged terrain of the Klein Karoo broke spirits and bikes alike, the Orange Jersey duo of Candice Lill (RSA) and Alessandra Keller (SUI) of Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi remained unbreakable, securing their third consecutive stage win in a masterclass…
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…
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 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…
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…