The 2023 Absa Cape Epic will cowl a gruelling 658km – with 15 775 metres of limit-testing climbing – by way of its eight days of racing which are not like any version earlier than it.
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Next yr’s Cape Epic – to be held from 19-26 March – guarantees to stretch each group virtually to their breaking level, to trial partnerships each previous and new, and to reward these resolute sufficient to beat its calls for with spots in The Book of Legend.
8 days. 658 kilometres. 15 775 metres of climbing. These are the stats of the 2023 Cape Epic alone.
But as historical past has confirmed over the previous 18 editions of The Untamed African Mountain Bike Race, statistics and what occurs on the paths of Africa are by no means one and the identical.
The 2023 version of the Cape Epic sees attraction and problem exist on a knife’s edge because the route weaves by way of pristine fynbos and nature reserves the place antelope roam free; skirts a lion sanctuary, strikes between vineyards, orchards and wheatfields; scales the Western Cape’s highest and most demanding peaks, and seeks out trails that pull no punches in its eight days.
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In 2023, luxurious resides inside touching distance of the rugged trails. Famous wineries overlook the singletracks, providing mountain biking followers the chance to look at the race in consolation, witnessing the travails taking part in out within the Pinnacle of Epic Series. For the world’s greatest riders, the route offers alternatives to assault, check their rivals’ mettle, crack themselves and battle again for the honour of being topped Cape Epic champions. For the amateurs, the age-groupers from nations far and extensive, expanded classes present much more causes to race. Or merely to battle for survival. To claw tenaciously by way of each metre of the race and The Trail to Val de Vie.
The nineteenth version’s route is outlined by ventures into hitherto untouched grounds mixed with the return of previous favourites, together with Groenlandberg, a peak revered by those that have tackled it and shrouded in hearsay by those that are but to through the Queen Stage.
Cape Epic 2023: Stages 1 and a couple of will begin in Hermanus
The racing kicks off with a threshold testing Prologue the place seconds and begin batches are battled for on the paths of Meerendal Wine Estate and the larger Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club community. These trails are cherished by mountain bikers from far and extensive due in no small half to their quick, flowing nature and their breathtaking views of the long-lasting Table Mountain and Robben Island, the place Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years.
Stages 1 and a couple of begin and end within the seaside whale-watching city of Hermanus and showcase the area’s spectacular driving, from the Hemel en Aarde Valley to past Stanford and into the Akkadisberg and Paardenberg mountains the place limestone trails, steep pitches and gale pressure winds are rife.
The first transition stage of the 2023 Cape Epic, Stage 3, takes groups inland from Hermanus to Oak Valley Estate in Elgin. The stage begins on trails acquainted to returning groups however swiftly enters areas fully international to the occasion. The remaining kilometres of the stage trace on the singletrack-filled racing to return throughout Stage 4.
Once in Oak Valley Estate, there’s a reprieve by way of distance because of the inclusion of a mid-week time trial. Though quick on kilometres, it’s massive on metres climbed per kilometre and the punchy nature of Elgin’s terrain is bound to trial health, psychological fortitude, and partnerships all through. Stage 4 might show to be pivotal within the race for basic classification standings.
Stage 5, the Queen Stage, departs Oak Valley Estate within the path of Lourensford Wine Estate and pits groups towards a climb of Tierkop adopted by Groenlandberg, a infamous peak towering 1 181 metres above sea stage. Stage 5 is bound to be remembered for years to return thanks, in no small half, to the outstanding climbs and the perilous downhill portage of Gantouw Pass, the place the scars of ox wagon wheels now remind us of the transportation modes of previous.
The penultimate stage of the 2023 race marks a historic day for the Cape Epic. The whole 82km route takes place throughout the grounds of 1 single property – Lourensford Wine Estate, one of many largest and most singletrack-laden properties in South Africa.
Finish as soon as once more at Val de Vie
Lourensford Wine Estate performs host to the race for 2 nights and is bound to supply a show of mountain biking bliss for groups and followers alike earlier than Stage 7, The Trail to Val de Vie, begins.
The remaining stage, from Lourensford to Val de Vie Estate, is fittingly powerful. Featuring two ferocious climbs and a few of South Africa’s most iconic singletracks, The Trail to Val de Vie is each difficult and exhilarating. For any group sporting a pacesetter jersey going into Stage 7 their final day will probably be a tense one. Speed Company Racing proved the Grand Finale is not any procession in 2022 and 2023’s conclusion offers much more alternatives to make up time. Or lose it.
What the paths of 2023 Cape Epic will ship stays to be seen, however what’s assured is a race for the ages.
Learn extra about subsequent yr’s Cape Epic route here.