{"id":62009,"date":"2023-03-19T20:29:36","date_gmt":"2023-03-19T18:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=62009"},"modified":"2023-03-23T11:36:00","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T09:36:00","slug":"2023-absa-cape-epic-bursts-into-life-with-thrilling-prologue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2023-absa-cape-epic-bursts-into-life-with-thrilling-prologue\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Absa Cape Epic bursts into life with thrilling Prologue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The 2023 Absa Cape Epic roared into life on 19 March with some explosive mountain bike racing in and around the hills of Durbanville, Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Full Highlights | Prologue | 2023 Absa Cape Epic\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CXjklrnwL8o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Mountain bikers from around the world gathered at Meerendal Wine Estate on Sunday morning to test themselves on the opening demands of the 19th edition of the Absa Cape Epic and against the best the sport has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb32ac&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb32ac\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_6062-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62011\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_6062-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_6062-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_6062-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_6062.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matthew Beers and Christopher Blevins during the Prologue of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville, Cape Epic, South Africa on the 19th March 2023. Photo: Sam Clark \/ Absa Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb364d&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb364d\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_4827-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62010\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_4827-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_4827-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_4827-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_4827.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Katerina Nash and Sofia Gomez Villafane, Team NinetyOne-Songo-Specialized during the Prologue of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa on the 19th March 2023<br>Photo by Wayne Reiche\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As has become tradition, the Absa Cape Epic started with a Prologue &#8211; a chance for amateurs to test their legs and an opportunity for the elite teams to gauge their opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Men\u2019s race over the 27km course was won by 2021 Absa Cape Epic Champion Matt Beers and partner Christopher Blevins (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) in a time of 01:03:01.9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Multiple cross-country World Champion Nino Schurter, riding with Swiss partner Andri Frischknecht (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing) had to settle for second on the day, while 2022 Champions Georg Egger and Lukas Baum (Orbea x Leatt X Speed Company) came in third, 45 seconds off the pace of the stage winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the CM.com Women\u2019s category, defending champ Sofia Gomez Villafane and her new race partner Katerina Nash (NinetyOne-Songo-Specialized) flew home in first ahead of the all-African all-star pairing of Namibia\u2019s Vera Looser and Mauritius\u2019s Kim le Court (Efficient Infiniti Insure). Amy Wakefield and Candice Lill (e-FORT.net | SeattleCoffeeCo) claimed third on the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb3a2b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb3a2b\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_DomBarnardt-5101-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_DomBarnardt-5101-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_DomBarnardt-5101-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_DomBarnardt-5101-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_DomBarnardt-5101.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vera Looser and Kim Le Court during the Prologue of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate, South Africa on the 19th March 2023 Photo by Dom Barnardt \/ Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Men\u2019s race, Schurter and Frischknecht started with determination and desire, setting a blistering pace over the first 15km. But they were no match for hometown hero Beers and American race partner Blevins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beers and Blevins, who started well in 2022 but trailed off when Beers got ill, crushed the second half of the 27km route, descending to the finish faster than any other team on the day. They claimed the 2023 Prologue by a whisker and will start Stage 1 in the famed Epic Series leader jerseys, seven seconds ahead of SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s a horse,\u201d said Blevins of his partner Beers. \u201cHe should be in a barn with those other animals we saw out there today. He was ripping the flats apart with his power today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beers credited Blevins with getting the team over the line in one piece. \u201cWe kept it on the limit today and tried not to go over that. Chris knows how to manage me, probably better than I know how to manage myself. We didn\u2019t go overboard today and as a team, I think we did a great job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beers was bombarded with enthusiastic crowd support, in the Meerendal Wine Estate race village and out on the trails. \u201cIt\u2019s very special being here at this event and racing on South African soil. I am just a guy who likes riding his bike so the support from the fans is very humbling. It\u2019s very special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Blevins added that while it\u2019s nice to start in yellow, the team wouldn\u2019t be getting too excited. \u201cIt\u2019s a long race, so we are not taking anything for granted. We have a lot of racing to do in the next week, so we are going to stay focused and stay resilient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb3e36&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb3e36\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_2244-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62016\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_2244-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_2244-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_2244-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_2244-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Georg Egger and Lukas Baum during the Prologue of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa on the 19th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb4120&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb4120\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_8877-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62015\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_8877-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_8877-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_8877-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_SamClark_8877.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nino Schurter and Andri Frischknecht during the Prologue of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville, Cape Epic, South Africa on the 19th March 2023. Photo by Sam Clark\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb43ef&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb43ef\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1855-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62012\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1855-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1855-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1855-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1855.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sofia Gomez Villafane and Katerina Nash during the Prologue of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa on the 19th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the CM.Com Women\u2019s category, it was also tight amongst the top three teams until Wakefield took a small tumble towards the end, losing vital seconds for herself and teammate Lill. Looser and Le Court looked in fine fettle for their race against the clock, with Le Court in particular smashing her way through the trails of Durbanville.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, though, it was Villafane and Nash, riding in her first-ever Absa Cape Epic, who took the top step with a controlled ride of power and elegance. Incredibly, they also lead their category by seven seconds going into Stage 1 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat was very exciting,\u201d said Nash of her debut Absa Cape Epic experience. \u201cI really enjoy riding with Sofia and today was a great ride for both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Villafane, back to defend her 2022 title, seemingly forgot how wild the Prologue could be. \u201cThe start was pretty savage but once we got going, I was really into it &#8211; too into it. I got way too excited when we started passing other teams; Kate had to tell me to take it easy and not burn too many matches! It was a super fun day. We pushed hard to the finish and it\u2019s a great honour starting Stage 1 in orange.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The battle for overall orange in the CM.com Women\u2019s category will be intriguing, with Looser and Le Court both showing excellent form today, while Lill and Wakefield, only 30 seconds back on the overall standings, will come into their own as the days get longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think the women\u2019s race is very equal,\u201d said Looser. \u201cIt was tough out there, but we went really well today, and we\u2019ve put ourselves in a good position for the overall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Le Court added knowingly, \u201cIt was a great start for us. But there are longer days to come. Everyone still has a lot of racing ahead of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb48c1&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb48c1\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1980-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62014\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1980-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1980-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1980-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1980-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Candice Lill and Amy Wakefield during the Prologue of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa on the 19th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb4ba7&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb4ba7\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1994-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62013\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1994-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1994-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1994-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Prologue_NickMuzik_1994-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Riders during the Prologue of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held at Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa on the 19th March 2023. Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-xl-font-size\"><strong>Stage 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/cape-epic-leader-jerseys-change-hands-after-stage-1\/\">Stage 1 of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic<\/a>, on Monday 20 March, is a 98km rip-roaring ride around Hermanus. The elite men start their race at 7am, with the women starting three minutes later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tune in to the Live Broadcast of Stage 1 from 08:30 on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@EpicSeries_Race_The_World\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Epic Series YouTube channel<\/a> or the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/capeepic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Absa Cape Epic Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-xl-font-size\"><strong>2023 Absa Cape Epic Prologue Results<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Men\u2019s category<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne: 01:03:01.9<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SCOTT-SRAM MTB-Racing: 01:03:09.3 (+00:00:07.4)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orbea X Leatt X Speed Company Racing: 01:03:47.1 (+00:00:45.2)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CM.com Women\u2019s category<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NinetyOne-songo-Specialized: 01:18:57.5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Efficient Infiniti Insure: 01:19:04.5 (+00:00:07)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>E-FORT. net | SeattleCoffeeCo.: 01:19:27.7 (+00:00:30.2)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>View the full Prologue results <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epic-series.com\/capeepic-riders-liveresults\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb51a0&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb51a0\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"62021\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_5058-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62021\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_5058-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_5058-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_5058-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_5058-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f460aeb549f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f460aeb549f\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"62020\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_6002-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62020\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_6002-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_6002-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_6002-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ACE23_Pro_Wayne-Reiche_6002-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">The Womens and Mens Podium at the Prologue of the 2023 Absa Cape Epic<br>Photos by Wayne Reiche\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2023 Absa Cape Epic roared into life on 19 March with some explosive mountain bike racing in and around the hills of Durbanville, Cape Town. Mountain bikers from around the world gathered at Meerendal Wine Estate on Sunday morning to test themselves on the opening demands of the 19th edition of the Absa Cape [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":62011,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[76,24],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-62009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-absa-cape-epic","tag-cape-epic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62009"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62009\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62200,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62009\/revisions\/62200"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62009"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=62009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}