We watched in awe as Matt Beers and Chris Blevins, riding as team Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne, came back from an unfortunate Stage 1 to methodically annihilate an eight minute deficit, win five stages, and claim the 2023 Absa Cape Epic title. All in some of the toughest conditions in the history of the race.
Here’s a closer look at Christopher Blevins’s winning S-Works Epic EVO.
It was a race defined by the elements: featuring everything from gale force winds, to torrential rain and knee deep mud. Equipment was pushed to the limits, and the Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne team had a notably smooth, mechanical-free race.
Bike Specifications
- Frame: Specialized S-Works EVO FACT 12m Carbon, Progressive XC Geometry, Rider-First Engineered™, threaded BB, 12x148mm rear spacing, internal cable routing, 110mm of travel. Size Large.
- Stem: Roval SL, 90mm, 6 degree
- Seatpost: Roval SL 30.9mm
- Saddle: Body Geometry S-Works Power, carbon fibre rails, carbon fibre base
- Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate w/ TwistLoc remote lockout
- BB: Ceramic Speed
- Fork: RockShox SID, 120mm
- Handlebar: Roval Control w/ extra wrap
- Grips: Supa Caz
- Front Tyre: Fast Trak Control T7 2.35
- Rear Tyre: Renegade GRID T5 2.35
- Rims: Roval Control SL, Carbon offset design, 29mm internal width, 4mm hook width, Tubeless ready, 24h
- Hubs: DT SWISS Roval Control SL, DT Swiss Internals, Ceramic Bearings, 6-bolt, 15mm thru-axle
- Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite T-head
- Shifters: SRAM AXS
- Rear Derailleur: XX Eagle Transmission Derailleur
- Cassette: XX Eagle SL Transmission Cassette
- Crankset: XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission Power Meter Crankset, 38T
- Brakeset: Level Ultimate Stealth 4-Piston
- Chain: XX Eagle SL Transmission Flattop Chain
- Bottle Cages: Specialized S-Works Carbon
- Computer: Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt
- Pedals: HT Components M2T Pedals
Tags: cape epic, specialized
