Absa Cape Epic

The Absa Cape Epic is the most televised mountain bike race in the world and the only eight-day mountain bike stage race classed as hors catégorie by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI); this official UCI status makes it a highlight on the professional racer’s calendar.

The Absa Cape Epic also attracts aspiring amateur riders wanting to test themselves against the best.

Every edition follows a different route, leading aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through roughly 700 untamed kilometres of unspoiled scenery and up 16 000m of climbing.

It is a full-service race, meaning that everything is taken care of from the start – all riders need to think about is riding.

The race must be completed by both members of a two-person team with only 680 teams allowed to ride the race each year.