An Epic Journey
The development of the Specialized Epic mountain bike, and the Absa Cape Epic have become somewhat intertwined over the years. Here we take a trip down memory lane and look at how the Specialized Epic has evolved over the years, starting with the legendary Christoph Sauser’s first attempt in 2006, and including his record-sharing five […]
Mixed Aspirations for Triple World Champ, Óscar Freire, at the Absa Cape Epic.
As a former three-time World Champion whenever Óscar Freire pins a number to his kit he attracts a great deal of attention. Even if those victories came on far smoother roads than the ones he will need to conquer, alongside Natalia Fischer Egusquiza, in the 2019 Absa Cape Epic. Freire is after-all cycling royalty and […]
Robbie Hunter to ride first Cape Epic
From 2001 until he retired in 2013 there was no better known South African cyclist than Robbie Hunter. The former Rabobank, Phonak and Barloworld sprinter, turned sports agent, took part in sixteen grand tours during his professional career; which started in 1999. He rose to fame however when he made his Tour de France debut […]
Petacchi on Point for 2019 Absa Cape Epic
Alessandro Petacchi, the superstar Italian sprinter who won the points classifications in all three grand tours during his stellar road racing career, is set to make his Absa Cape Epic debut in 2019. He will be partnered by Francesco Chicchi and the pair will be riding for the boutique Italian bike manufacturers: T°RED. Along with […]
African Assault on the Absa Cape Epic
The Absa African Special Jersey was created, along with the Burry Stander Memorial Trophy, to foster the growth of elite mountain biking on the continent and to honour the legacy of South Africa’s greatest mountain biker. Now in its seventh edition, the category has grown to one of the most fiercely contested within the Absa […]
Nino Schurter Set on Absa Cape Epic Revenge
The 2017 Absa Cape Epic champion, plus reigning World and Olympic XCO Champion, Nino Schurter will return to the race in 2019 – with one aim. To regain the title he was forced to concede in 2018. Aiding him in this quest is his new partner Andri Frischknecht, and the supporting team, DSV / SCOTT-SRAM, […]
South African women gear up for Absa Cape Epic battle
Not since Yolande Speedy rode to victory alongside Catherine Williamson in 2013 has a South African stood upon the top step of the Absa Cape Epic podium. In 2019 that could well change as two local riders have come of age as stage racers in recent years, while two further – all-South African – teams […]
Lüthi joins Kross to race alongside Włoszczowska in 2019 Cape Epic
The three-time UCI Women’s category and two-time Virgin Active Mixed category Absa Cape Epic winner, Ariane Lüthi has joined Kross Racing for the 2019 season. At the untamed African mountain bike race she will partner, two-time Olympic Silver Medallist, 2010 XCO and 2003 XCM World Champion, Maja Włoszczowska; as the pair go in search of […]
Fumic and Avancini aim higher in 2019 Absa Cape Epic
After finishing fourth in 2017 and third in 2018 Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini, of Cannondale Factory Racing XC, are aiming for the top step of the Absa Cape Epic podium in 2019. Photo credit: Ewald Sadie. Absa Cape Epic. Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini, have worn the yellow zebra leaders’ jerseys in each of […]
Hynek launches new team Vitalo – Future Cycling
The 2014 Absa Cape Epic winner, Kristian Hynek, will race the 2019 event in the colours of his new team, Vitalo – Future Cycling, alongside exciting young rider Petter Fagerhaug. 2019 is the year of fresh starts for a number of experienced Absa Cape Epic campaigners and this statement rings most true for 2014 race […]
Annika Langvad pairs with road champion Anna van der Breggen for Cape Epic
Arguably the foremost mountain biking and road racing stage racers of their generation Annika Langvad and Anna van der Breggen will be teaming up as a formidable combination, in the colours of Investec-songo-Specialized, for the 2019 Absa Cape Epic. Annika Langvad. The reigning World Marathon Champion and defending Absa Cape Epic titleholder, Annika Langvad, has […]
Alan Hatherly and Sam Gaze team up for Cape Epic
Alan Hatherly goes from Spur Schools League success story to racing the Absa Cape Epic alongside Sam Gaze for The Specialized Foundation – Spur Schools’ League. Alan Hatherly. Photo credit: Etienne Schoeman. Having spent four years in the Spur Schools League as a high school student the South African and 2018 Under 23 XCO World […]