![\"ccs-62657-0-88461600-1458487054.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-88461600-1458487054.jpg\")
<\/a>Gugu Zulu celebrating at the finish during the final stage (stage 7) of the 2016 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Boschendal in Stellenbosch to Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, South Africa on the 20th March 2016. Photo by Emma Hill\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\nThe pair \u2013 riding for Absa Diepsloot MTB Academy \u2013 had conquered this year\u2019s Epic in a time of 57:50.28 \u2013 more than double the winning Bulls\u2019 time of 28:13.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat really took eight days of courage \u2013 and then some \u2013 in fact, it was a whole year of courage,\u201d said Zulu. \u201cIt\u2019s a trip of note, it\u2019s punishing but so rewarding. Riding with Maurice was an awesome experience – he is such a gentleman. He is kind and gracious \u2013 and even though he was in so much pain he could hardly speak, he would greet every single marshal on the course.\u201d Zulu said every part of his body hurt but he really feels sorry for his bike – \u201cI hurt it a lot\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mdlolo came second last in 2015\u2019s Epic and said that even though he had upped his preparation for the event by 25% he was still found wanting. \u201cTwo days ago I was at my limit. I thought it was all over, and if it wasn\u2019t for Gugu I wouldn\u2019t have this finisher\u2019s medal,\u201d he said. \u201cHe pushed me when I didn\u2019t have anything left \u2013 he motivated me to keep going even when every part of my body wanted to give up. He\u2019s a rock star.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mdlolo said he was going to put his bike away for a long time and spend some time with his family.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, among the finishers on Sunday were four Last Lions \u2013 riders who have completed every edition of the race since it launched in 2004. Hannele Steyn, Craig Beech, Mike Nixon and John Gale lined up at the Prologue at Meerendal on 13 March \u2026 and all finished on Sunday.<\/p>\n
They have finished every one of the 13 editions of the race. Now they are in a battle to be the last one standing \u2013 the Last Lion.<\/p>\n
Steyn, who won the Women\u2019s category in 2005, chose to race with a novice friend this year and ushered teammate Anneke Viljoen to a commendable 11th among the women teams and 368th overall. Team Nolands Spar Ladies completed the eight days of riding in 49:15.29.<\/p>\n