The German team of Hannes Genze and Jochen Käss (Multivan Merida Biking) beat the South African/Swiss team of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (36ONE Songo Specialized) in a sprint finish by 2,8 seconds, securing their first stage win in this year’s Absa Cape Epic. Stander and Sauser still lead overall by 6 minutes and 15 seconds, with three times winners Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm (Bulls team) in fourth place overall and 8 minutes and 32 seconds behind the leaders.

For amateur riders participating in the Absa Cape Epic, who have lost their partner during the event (often due to fatigue or equipment failure), the event organisers allow for the remaining partner to be a potential finisher of the Magical and Untamed African Mountain Bike race. The event organisers provide a list of other amateur riders who have also lost their partners, with an opportunity for new teams to be formed who can participate together from the following day.

The prologue of this year’s Absa Cape Epic took place in Tokai forest, part of Table Mountain National Park, which features the only piece of critically endangered Cape Flats Fynbos and is the largest nature reserve for Cape Flats Fynbos in the city of Cape Town. 

Roberto Heras (from Spain) of team Giant-PACTO-DS, who was participating in this year’s Absa Cape Epic up to Stage 2, had to withdraw from the race after falling ill early on during this year’s event. Heras was participating with Luis Alberto Da Costa from Portugal, with Heras heading back to his home country this morning.

The Absa Capital Lounge is available exclusively to all the riders participating in this year’s Absa Cape Epic. Here riders can relax in comfort and escape the adrenaline of the day’s ride in a stylish setting. Participants have the opportunity to read daily newspapers, meet and interact with other riders over refreshments, stay connected on the internet stations (in partnership with Telkom Business) or just simply catch up on some much needed rest and sleep.

The dramatic new route of the eighth edition of the Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas seems to be more challenging this year than any of the previous events, if rider comments are anything to go by.

Blind adventurer and motivational speaker Hein Wagner completed Stage 2 in this year’s Absa Cape Epic with experienced cyclist Gerrie Olivier (Team Pragma Beyond Vision). It is the first time in its history that a blind rider participates in this extreme endurance event.

The South African/Swiss team of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (36ONE Songo Specialized) again proved their world-class stature by winning Stage 2 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic. This is their third consecutive win, having also taken top honours in both the Prologue and Stage 1.

Medi-Clinic is once again the official medical partner of the Absa Cape Epic. The Corporate Events Division has positioned itself as the leader in medical support at major sporting events like the Magical and Untamed African MTB Race.

One of the two official charities of the Absa Cape Epic, the Big Tree Foundation, once again teamed up with adidas this year to invite the five best football players of each school in disadvantaged rural areas, ages 12 and 13, to represent their school colours at the adidas Big Tree School Football Tournament at the finish line on the day the event arrives in town.

History was made when the prologue of the Absa Cape Epic was broadcast live on SuperSport this year. SuperSport will also be broadcasting the final stage of the event on Sunday (3 April). Tonight, at 19h00, live interviews and coverage from the Absa Cape Epic village will also be broadcast on SuperCycling.

PathCare’s contribution in assisting the medical team of MediClinic at the Absa Cape Epic year after year, rendering a world class service to world class riders, is indisputable. Beyond this service PathCare is actively involved in giving athletes and health conscious individuals a sporting chance. 

The Absa Cape Epic introduced a public lottery system as an unbiased way of managing massive demand for entries every year, which also allows new riders from around the world to participate.

Many Absa Cape Epic riders see the race as a perfect opportunity to raise money for various charities. The JAG and Big Tree Foundations are the two official charities of the Absa Cape Epic and many riders, including a few celebrities, are riding this year’s event to help support these charities. Many riders also raise funds for causes dear to them, not only for the official charities. Check out our charity barometer to see how much has been raised to date in aid the charities. You can also donate towards these charities by clicking on the “donate” icon next to each rider’s name.

The Stellenbosch University Sport Performance Institute (SUSPI) offers a wide range of first rate services to the sport, fitness and wellness industries. Situated in South Africa’s second oldest town, namely Stellenbosch, SUSPI possesses the necessary scientific expertise and sporting infrastructure to ensure that members of the sporting community are presented with a range of quality, centrally located services that will enable them to fulfil their sporting potential. SUSPI’s client base includes national and international federations, professional teams, high performance academies, individual athletes, as well as health conscious individuals and members of the general public.