Cape Epic - Sport

Both local and international mountain biking enthusiasts will be taking on the demanding eight day mountain bike adventure of 707km with 14 550m of climbing from Tokai to Lourensford.

The route, which changes significantly each year, will lead 1 200 cyclists through vast distances of virgin territory, previously untouched by the race. With its challenging and exhilarating landscapes, the stage locations of Tulbagh, Worcester and Oak Valley await the most prestigious mountain bike stage race in the world, before riders again finish at the Lourensford Wine Estate as has been tradition since 2007.

One of the most visited tourist attractions in the southern hemisphere, the V&A Waterfront, will again play host to the opening celebrations and registration for this pioneering, tough and breathtaking mountain bike race on 25 and 26 March 2011.

For the second time in the Absa Cape Epic’s history, riders will compete in a prologue. A common feature in grand road cycling tours, the prologue in the Tokai Forest, part of Table Mountain National Park, will allow spectators to see teams race against the clock. Regarded as the Eden of mountain biking in Cape Town, this revered network of trails represents all of what makes this sport so great, with tough climbs, fast descents and flowing single-track forming the 27km route. This showcase event will decide which teams will wear the coveted zebra-striped leaders’ jerseys at the start of stage 1 on Monday, 28 March 2011, in Tulbagh.

Says Kevin Vermaak, Director and founder of the Absa Cape Epic: “The Absa Cape Epic has again selected some of the best terrain that the Western Cape has to offer. Our route designer, Leon Evans or as he is best known amongst riders, Dr Evil, has again found the perfect balance between exciting trails, challenging terrain and wider vistas in the pursuit of the ultimate mountain biking experience.”