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All riders must enter as a two-rider team. Teams register in one of five different categories that include Men, Women, Mixed, Masters (both riders must be 40 years or older on 31 December of the year in which the race takes place) and Grand Masters (both riders must be 50 years or older on the 31 December of the year in which the race takes place). The minimum age of participation is 19 years on 31 December of the year in which the race takes place. The riders in a team must remain together at all times during the race and are expected to reach the finish line a specified time daily. At each stage, the winners of the day receive prizes and the leaders in the overall classification are awarded their leader jerseys.
The Absa Cape Epic is organised and presented with all participating athletes at the focal point. The athletes’ satisfaction, well-being and enjoyment of the race are the organisers’ primary goals. We aim to deliver an unsurpassed and unforgettable mountain bike and African travel-experience. Therefore, we offer 24-hour full service facilities during the race, including tented accommodation in race villages, breakfasts and dinners, race nutrition, bike servicing, masseurs, and stage location specific entertainment every evening.
The route of the Absa Cape Epic changes every year and riders will see wide open African plains, majestic mountains, deep ravines, indigenous forests, spectacular coastlines and flourishing vineyards.
The route is characterised by dusty and demanding gravel paths, strenuous rocky uphills, thrilling technical downhills, magnificent river crossings and stunning forested single tracks.
The Absa Cape Epic is the largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world. Race nutrition, water, and isotonic carbohydrate drinks are available at the feed zones to revive tired riders during the race. At night, all riders and race crew sleep in the tented race villages that are set up prior to arrival and taken down immediately after the start each morning by the race crew.
