Despite having to make do with a second-place finish in the final stage, South Africa’s Matthew Beers and his teammate, Christopher Blevins from the United States, claimed the Absa Cape Epic earlier today.
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The pair wrapped up their race in a time of 26:17:04, having spent a gruelling week in the saddle.
They were followed by the German team of George Egger and Lukas Baum, who were in fine form on the final day to claim the stage in an impressive 03:07:26, ten seconds ahead of the overall winners.
The 2023 Absa Cape Epic champions, Matt Beers and Christopher Blevins (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne). They made up an 8-minute deficit after Stage 1 to win the event. pic.twitter.com/iSbaSJHzRT
— capeepic (@CapeEpic) March 26, 2023
The women’s race was won by Vera Looser and Kim le Court, who also finished second in the final stage after they were pipped to the finish line by Greete Steinburg and Monica Yuliana Calderon Martinez.
The Grand Finale was no easy ride to Val de Vie but rather a rite of passage that was hard-earned over eight days of limit-testing racing on the Western Cape’s Untamed trails.
Champers for the champs.#capeepic pic.twitter.com/Nolan1UO1m
— capeepic (@CapeEpic) March 26, 2023
The 78-kilometre long stage included 2 400 metres of climbing, making it one of the toughest of the race.
Beginning with a grind to the Lourensford Nek, there was climbing from the gun, before thrilling singletracks led teams through Mont Marie, Eden, G-Spot and the Stellenbosch World Cup Course.
Then Botmaskop provided the second major test of the day and the final significant climb of the 2023 race.
Banhoek and Boschendal’s famed trails then ensured that the Untamed African Mountain Bike Race ended on a singletrack high, before the trails of Val de Vie provided a moment for reflection on the previous seven days.
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Picture: @capeEpic / Twitter