Celebrating its 20th anniversary edition, the 2024 Absa Cape Epic multi-stage mountain bike race promises to be one of the toughest and most dramatic in the race’s history. As the unofficial “Tour de France for mountain bike racing”, the 2024 Cape Epic takes place in South Africa from March 17th to the 24th.
Though not the longest in terms of distance, many are touting this year’s edition as among the hardest ever thanks to the huge amount of climbing. The average altitude gain will be the largest in its history, with the equivalent of 27 meters climbed for every kilometer raced over the 8 days.
As the largest fully supported multi-stage mountain bike race in the world, the Cape Epic draws the elite of off-road racing with everyone from Olympic mountain bike champions to Tour de France champions trying their legs in the beautiful wilds of South Africa. Even if the race is supported, the riders must still tackle huge obstacles and overcome their own demons if they want to finish, let alone win.
How long is the Cape Epic? The Distance
For 2024, the 8-day race will cover approximately 700 km (435 miles) and 17,000 m climbing (55,774 feet). The route changes every year and is a closely guarded secret until announced, but regardless of the exact route, it is always an extremely challenging event with terrain varying from sublimely beautiful to desolate and rugged. The climbs are strenuous and the descents technical. The host towns range among the most picturesque and historically significant of all towns on the Western Cape.
Who races Cap Epic?
Raced in teams of two in a variety of age categories including a UCI Elite category with the option of a mixed doubles category as well, the Cape Epic uses its unique setting and challenging course to attract riders from all over the world.
The list of past winners is impressive, headed by 2023’s champions Christopher Blevins and Matthew Beers. Other 2023 participants included familiar gravel superstars, Keegan Swenson and Lachlan Morton (in 10th place) as well as 2014 Tour de France champion, Vincenzo Nibali racing with his Italian teammate, Samulele Porro.
On the women’s side, familiar faces on the US racing scene, Haley Batten and Sofia Gomez Villafane took the victory in 2022. Olympic mountain bike medalist from Switzerland, Sina Frei was a member of the winning women’s team in 2021, and former Road World Champion Anna van der Breggen took the victory with Cape Epic expert Annika Langvad as a teammate in 2019.
Though the start list for 2024 has not been made available at the time of writing this, Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini Carstensen have announced that they will join forces to race together under the World Bicycle Relief banner.
Cape Epic Stages & Dates 2024
Prologue
Sunday, March 17, 2024
The race kicks-off with a 26 km prologue, which may sound like an easy start, but it is packed with 1050 m (3444 ft) climbing through the Lourensford Wine Estate. Designed to encourage the riders to push their limits, the course climbs some of the steepest vineyard paths and descends flowy singletracks that can prove treacherous at high speeds. It should establish the hierarchy and set the starting seeds for stage 1.
Stage 1
Monday, March 18, 2024
The first stage takes place over 90 km around Saronsberg, Tulbagh, and is punctuated by four major climbs. Some established trails are mixed in with brand new, never raced paths, which will make for an exciting and stunning experience. With the second highest elevation gain of the race, stage 1 will quickly help show whose legs are up for the challenge over the long haul.
Stage 2
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Sticking around Saronsberg, Tulbagh, stage 2 will be a touch longer at 93 km with a touch less climbing at 2200 m. But this stage which takes place in the high altitude Witzenberg Valley will be packed full of technical challenges and lung-busting climbing. The technical descent back into Saronsberg will challenge even the best bike handlers.
Stage 3
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Though the longest stage of the 2024 Cape Epic, stage 3 from Saronsberg to Wellington contains a good amount of paved riding to classify itself as more of a transition stage. But with 2100 m of climbing, this will still be a difficult stage that will shoot nails into the legs of anyone who is already starting to suffer as we approach the halfway point of the race.
Stage 4
Thursday, March 21, 2024
With the most climbing of any stage this year, stage 4 around Wellington can truly be considered the Queen Stage. At 88 km long, the 3000 m of climbing will bite hard and force the riders to dig deep. The technical descents will become even more challenging as fatigue sets in. This is a stage where the riders will really feel like they are spending the day at the top of the world.
Stage 5
Friday, March 22, 2024
Rather than having another transition stage, the race stays around Wellington for a seriously rowdy loop of super fun descents and technical climbs. Just 77 km long with 1750 m of climbing, it won’t feel exactly like a rest day, but after the fearsome challenges from the day before, the riders will be able to unlax and enjoy ripping the trails ahead of the bus transfer to Stellenbosch for the final two stages.
Stage 6
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Following the bus transfer, the riders will have to make sure their legs are properly revved up for Saturday’s demanding stage around Stellenbosch. At 87 km and 2300 m climbing, this stage would come close to being the Queen Stage of past years. With a stage profile that resembles the inside of a wolf’s mouth, the course scales some of the most renowned climbs of the region, with a descent to end the day that could also end the race of any rider too fatigued to handle its technical nature.
Stage 7
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Unlike road racing, this final stage is far from a ceremonial event. Instead, 2000 m of climbing are packed into 65 km of racing around Stellenbosch, primarily in the Jonkershoek Valley with its renowned trails. Mixing double track with some new singletrack trails, the stage will certainly be tough enough to confirm the worthy winners of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic.
Conclusion - Cape Epic mountain bike race
Though media coverage inevitably focuses on the UCI elite professionals who race Cape Epic, it is a race that is open to anyone who qualifies through the Epic Series Qualifier Races. You can also register your interest to be included in the draw allocation for a place at the Absa Cape Epic. Thanks to the popularity of the event, it is getting increasingly difficult to be at the start line. However, the organizers offer guaranteed slots to age category winners of their Epic Series races, while there is also a lottery for riders who've successfully completed one of their Epic Series events.
Registration for the 2024 event is closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning to earn a spot for 2025. Racing the Absa Cape Epic would be an experience never to forget.
