Absa Cape Epic 2026
The Absa Cape Epic kicked off the 22nd edition of the untamed African mountain bike race. The eight-day race is often referred to as the “Tour de France of mountain biking” and it‘s the most prestigious mountain bike stage race on the planet. This year it attracted 725 teams of two from 58 nations including World, European, and National Champions next to aspiring amateurs testing themselves against the best.
Long an unrelenting, Stage 2 asked questions that built on those from Stage 1. The riders went out on a 102km loop with 2.250 meters of climbing around the beautiful landscapes of Montagu once more. The climbing began immediately all the way to the summit of Ouberg Pass. At the top, a long ridgeline stretched out as far as the eye can see, before the riders headed to the tough descent of Slagkloof and made their way back to Montagu.
In the men’s race, the leader’s group of between five and 8 teams stayed together big chunks of the race course. In the crucial moment, Same Gaze from New Zealand and Luca Schwarzbauer put the hammer down and sprinted across the finish line, just 1,8 seconds ahead of last year’s runners-up Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto from Italy. 4 seconds behind in the yellow leader’s jersey, Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje (both RSA) came in third and they again will keep the leading position until tomorrow, now with only 2,2 seconds ahead of Braidot/Avondetto in 2nd overall. In the women’s race, current leaders Candice Hill (RSA) and Alessandra Keller from Switzerland raced their 80km and 1.750metres of climbing together with runners-up Marathon World Champion Kate Courtney (USA) and Greita Seiwald (ITA). On the final kilometres Lill/Keller distance themselves from their opponents and cruise to their 3rd win in as many stages. Courtney/Seiwald came in 2nd and the pair of Katazina Sosna-Pinele (LTU) and Giorga Marchet from Italy complete the women’s podium.
Below you can find all information on how to download the Clip footage.
| STAGE 2 – MEN // 102km – 2.250m of climbing | STAGE 2 – WOMEN // 80km – 1.750m of climbing |
| 1. CANYON – 8-1 Luca Schwarzbauer (GER) & 8-2 Sam Gaze (NZL) 3:54:55.0 | 1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI – 53-1 Candice Lill (RSA) & 53-2 Alessandra Keller (SUI) 3:30:00.6 |
| 2. Wilier-Vittoria – 2-1 Luca Braidot (ITA) & 2-2 Simone Avondetto (ITA) 3:54:56.8 // +1.8s | 2. She Sends Foundation Team – 51-1 Kate Courtney (USA) & 51-2 Greta Seiwald (ITA) 3:30:38.4 // +37.8s |
| 3. Toyota Specialized Imbuko – 1-1 Matthew Beers (RSA) & Tristan Nortje (RSA) 3:54:59.0 // +4.0s | 3. Torpado FSA Kenda – 57-1 Katazina Sosna-Pinele (LTU) & 57-2 Giorga Marchet (ITA) 3:40:43.2 // 10.42min |
The post Absa Cape Epic 2026 first appeared on MoreSport.tv.
The post Absa Cape Epic 2026 appeared first on MoreSport.tv.
