We’re suckers for hype, and the Epic route launch is something that inevitably has us speculating around the (virtual) water cooler. Without further ado, here’s the press release detailing the full route for the ‘Tour de France of mountain biking’, the 2024 Absa Cape Epic:
This year riders are set for an epic action-packed 8 days consisting of 16 850 metres of climbing, packed into 613 kilometres of racing
The twentieth edition and it’s test of tenacity has once again attracted the world’s best, forging a reputation as a rite of passage for all mountain bikers. The unforgiving yet breathtakingly beautiful route revealed 613 kilometres of racing and over 16 000 metres of climbing from the Prologue in Lourensford to Tulbagh, followed by Wellington and on to the Grand Finale in Stellenbosch.
2024 Absa Cape Epic Route Details
The 2024 Absa Cape Epic. The twentieth edition. And a route filled with untamed challenges. One that features 16 850 metres of climbing. Packed into 613 kilometres of racing. From the Prologue in Lourensford to Tulbagh, followed by Wellington, and on to the Grand Finale in Stellenbosch, every stage is designed to test teams to the limit.
Prologue: Sunday, 17 March 2024
Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West
Distance: 26km
Climbing: 1050
Difficulty: 2.5 Stars
Opportunities await as the journey into the untamed begins on the manicured trails of Lourensford Wine Estate. In the shadow of the Helderberg Mountains it is renowned as one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated wine farms. Teams transfer north to Tulbagh for the first marathon stages. Stage 1 and 2 both start and finish at the spectacular Saronsberg Wine Estate, famed for its wines, blueberries and art.
Stage 1: Saronsberg, Tulbagh Monday, 18 March 2024
Distance: 90km
Climbing: 2450m
Difficulty: 4.5 Stars
Bravery will be required on Stage 1. Tulbagh, once a frontier town, is still an untamed mountain biking destination.
Four major climbs punctuate the day, including the infamous Fanti’s Pass. It’s not just all challenges and climbing though. Handbuilt singletracks, never before ridden in a race will offer a welcome reward for the uphill toils. Exceedingly tough on the way up. Scintillating on the way down. Stage 1 will be beautiful throughout.
Stage 2: Saronsberg, Tulbagh Tuesday, 19 March 2024
Distance: 93km
Climbing 2200m
Difficulty: 4 Stars
Withstanding the untamed and unrelenting challenges presented by the Witzenberg Valley requires endurance and skill. Stage 2 begins with an ascent from Absa Cape Epics of yore, climbing into the Witzenberg Valley. Famed for its relentlessly technical trails the valley itself might not feature an imposing amount of climbing, but do not be fooled by the profile. The rocky trails deny momentum and reintroduce the concept of inertia to all but the most skilful. The drop back to the Tulbagh Valley is no free ride. Rocky in places, line choice will be vital. Stage 2 will require mental as well as physical fortitude.
Stage 3: Tulbagh to Wellington Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Distance: 94km
Climbing: 2100m
Difficulty: 3.5 Stars
On Wednesday morning the race departs the Tulbagh Valley for Cape Peninsula of Technology’s Wellington Campus, in the only transition stage of the 20th edition. Blending buttery smooth tarmac with the rugged remoteness Stage 3 is a mix of natural and manmade. A flat run starts the day before the course gets complex with a dual track climb into the wild. The summer sun will have slowed the waterfall to a trickle and turned Zuurvlakte to a valley of rock and sand. Teams will experience some classic Cape singletrack cut through pristine fynbos before Bainskloof pass and an unexpected sting in the tail, do not expect a direct race home from the summit.
Stage 4: Cape Peninsula of Technology, Wellington Thursday, 21 March 2024
Distance: 88km
Climbing: 3000m
Difficulty: 5 Stars
The Queen Stage of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic, it will demand every team rises to the challenge – the gauntlet laid down by the untamed. Featuring more meters of climbing than any stage in recent years, Stage 4 is defined by ascents. They begin relatively steadily, then become longer and steeper as the day progresses until it reaches into the clouds with South Africa’s most awe-inspiring Cliff Hanger trail. The Toyota Tough section of the day. Built on Canetsfontein and part of the Imbuko Big Five Challenge, clinging to the very highest slopes of the Hawequas Mountains it takes a head of heights and technical skills to conquer.
Stage 5: Cape Peninsula of Technology, Wellington Friday, 22 March 2024
Distance: 70km
Climbing: 1750m
Difficulty: 3 Stars
A thrilling loop through the Wild Boar Trails. Home to technical climbs, traverses and descents it is a rare day of flat out fun, but still with a challenge or two. 70 kilometres and 1750 meters of climbing. A mix of district road and dual tracks starts the day; but once on the trails, they flow back-to-back along the slopes of the Limietberg and into the Doolhof Valley. As fatigue begins to set in, teamwork will be vital. If one is feeling good while the other suffers the gap between teammates will amplify. Wild and rocky at times, always untamed, it should be a faster day, ahead of the bus journey to Stellenbosch for the final two stages of the race.
Stage 6: University of Stellenbosch Saturday, 23 March 2024
Distance: 87km
Climbing: 2300m
Difficulty: 4.5 Stars
Teams should be warned, they will need to be steadfast in their resolve if they are to conquer the untamed in Stellenbosch. 87 kilometres, 2 300 meters of climbing. The route presents climbs aplenty across some of South Africa’s most famous wine farms. It does however also boast singletracks, both uphill and down. The trails twist and turn with berms and rollers interspersed among small drops and rises. When raising your eyes from the terrain ahead you’ll see across the winelands to Table Mountain in the distance, but do not raise your gaze for too long.
Stage 7: University of Stellenbosch Sunday, 24 March 2024
Distance: 65km
Climbing: 2000m
Difficulty: 4 Stars
The conquest of the untamed is within reach but the final stage is no free ride. Of the kilometres which remain the majority are in the world-renowned Jonkershoek Valley. The course zig-zags uphill and down, climbing one side of the valley three times and descending it in turn too. Sweeping and fast, tight and technical. Smooth in places. Rocky in others. A high traverse above familiar terrain leads to the final hurdle of the 2024 race and then you cross that finish line, you know you gave it all, claiming your spot in the book of legend.
Absa signs up for another 3 years
Having backed the eight day event since 2006, headline sponsor, Absa have renewed there headline sponsorship for a further 3 years.
“Over the years this partnership has grown from strength to strength igniting innovation and instrumental change in the sport of mountain biking, as well as having a substantial economic impact within the Western Cape region”
Absa Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer, Sydney Nhlanhla Mbhele.
I can probably ride 80% of this route on my R1000 Winelands Regional Permit