Description
March 19, 2025
MTB Cape Epic 2025 🇿🇦 – Stage 3 – Fairview, Paarl – Fairview, Paarl : Distance 90km | Climbing 2600m
The Absa Cape Epic, founded by Kevin Vermaak and also known as the Cape Epic,
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March 19, 2025
MTB Cape Epic 2025 🇿🇦 – Stage 3 – Fairview, Paarl – Fairview, Paarl : Distance 90km | Climbing 2600m
The Absa Cape Epic, founded by Kevin Vermaak and also known as the Cape Epic, is an annual mountain bike stage race held in the Western Cape, South Africa. First staged in 2004, it has been accredited as hors catégorie (beyond categorization) by the Union Cycliste Internationale. The eight day race consists of a prologue and seven stages, and typically covers more than 680 km (420 mi) with some 16,900 m (55,400 ft) of climbing. Professional mountain bikers from around the world encompassing up to 650 teams compete teams of two. To qualify for a finish, teams have to stay together for the duration of the race. The race is also open to amateurs, who enter a lottery in order to gain a slot. The times taken to finish each stage are aggregated to determine the overall winning team in each category at the end of the race. The course changes every year, but the race has always taken place in the Western Cape.
The Pinnacle event of the Epic Series is also the first race of the calendar year. It is the event which pioneered mountain bike stage racing as a team sport and helped create an ethos of ultra-endurance riding in South Africa. Famed for its tough routes, which change for every edition, it is a bucket list challenge which transcends off-road racing and reaches into the consciousness of cyclists around the world. In 2025 the 608 kilometre long route features 16 500 metres of climbing.
Another big day of trails and tribulations awaits, packed with rewarding singletracks, but equally testing with precipitous ascents – Stage 3 could mark the turning point in 2025 fortunes. A good showing on the Paarl Mountain will set teams up for a storming race through the second half of the week, while a loss of momentum could result in a floundering for fitness and form. Gritting one’s teeth and holding on to the dream – from dawn to dusk – is the only way to endure, overcome, and excel.
Results :
 by the Union Cycliste Internationale. The eight day race consists of a prologue and seven stages, and typically covers more than 680 km (420 mi) with some 16,900 m (55,400 ft) of climbing. Professional mountain bikers from around the world encompassing up to 650 teams compete teams of two. To qualify for a finish, teams have to stay together for the duration of the race. The race is also open to amateurs, who enter a lottery in order to gain a slot. The times taken to finish each stage are aggregated to determine the overall winning team in each category at the end of the race. The course changes every year, but the race has always taken place in the Western Cape.
The Pinnacle event of the Epic Series is also the first race of the calendar year. It is the event which pioneered mountain bike stage racing as a team sport and helped create an ethos of ultra-endurance riding in South Africa. Famed for its tough routes, which change for every edition, it is a bucket list challenge which transcends off-road racing and reaches into the consciousness of cyclists around the world. In 2025 the 608 kilometre long route features 16 500 metres of climbing.
Another big day of trails and tribulations awaits, packed with rewarding singletracks, but equally testing with precipitous ascents - Stage 3 could mark the turning point in 2025 fortunes. A good showing on the Paarl Mountain will set teams up for a storming race through the second half of the week, while a loss of momentum could result in a floundering for fitness and form. Gritting one’s teeth and holding on to the dream – from dawn to dusk – is the only way to endure, overcome, and excel.
<strong>Results : </strong>)
