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Mountain bikers from around the world gathered at Meerendal Wine Estate on Sunday morning to test themselves on the opening demands of the 19th edition of the Absa Cape Epic and against the best the sport has to offer.

The Absa Cape Epic is the world’s premier mountain bike stage race. The route changes every year, leading aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through roughly 700km of unspoilt scenery and 15 000m of accumulated climbing, over some of the most magnificent mountain passes in Western Cape.

The race attracts professional and serious amateur riders from across the planet who participate in two-person teams. It’s a test of skill, fitness, partnership, equipment and mettle and provides a rider experience that is a benchmark for world mountain biking.

As has become tradition, the Absa Cape Epic started with a team time trial Prologue – a chance for amateurs to test their legs and an opportunity for the elite teams to gauge their opponents.

Stage 2 results:

UCI Men:

  1. Matthew Beers and Christopher Blevins: 04:20:31.3
  2. Nino Schurter and Andri Frischknecht: 04:20:46.9
  3. Georg Egger and Lukas Baum: 04:23:05.0

WATCH:

UCI Women:

  1. Kim Le Court and Vera Looser: 05:28:42.6
  2. Sofia Gomez Villafane and Katerina Nash: 05:28:47.1
  3. Amy Wakefield and Candice Lill: 05:28:47.8

WATCH:

Stage 1 results:

UCI Men:

  1. Fabian Rabensteiner and Wout Alleman: 04:01:44.1
  2. Nino Schurter and Andri Frischknecht: 04:01:46.2
  3. Georg Egger and Lukas Baum: 04:02:05.8

WATCH:

UCI Women:

  1. Amy Wakefield & Candice Lill: 04:57:46.3
  2. Sofia Gomez Villafane and Katerina Nash: 05:03:41.2
  3. Kim Le Court and Vera Looser: 05:08:55.1

WATCH:

Where to watch next:

Stage 2: 21 March

Spectator Point A: Stanford Market Square 

Stanford Market Square is another opportunity to catch a glimpse of teams as they refuel at the USN Hydro station.

Spectator Point B: Beloftebos 

The farm hosts a full water point and spectator point 3. Spectators can access MTB trails and book self-catering cottages.

Spectator Point C: Stanford Valley Country Lodge 

The lodge boasts sweeping mountain views and fans will love the restaurant.

Spectator Point D: Sir Robert Stanford 

Sir Robert Stanford Winery is where teams will refuel to tackle the last of the day’s demands. The restaurant is available for lunch and coffee.

Stage 3: 22 March 

Spectator Point A: Wildekrans

Fans will have a good opportunity to catch a glimpse of the teams as they ride from Hermanus to the new race village in Oak Valley Estate. Enjoy wine tasting at Wilde Krans Wine Estate or book a picnic ahead of time at the Tasting Room.

Spectator Point B: Houw Hoek 

Voted as one of the best Farm Stalls in the Cape for 2022, Houw Hoek will have a relaxed feeling where young and old can enjoy delicious goodies and have a good view of some riders.

Spectator Point C: Paul Clüver Amphitheatre 

This is the final spot to see the riders finish their first moving day. This is also the first spectator point for the next stage, which is a time trial.

Stage 4: 23 March 

Spectator Point: Paul Clüver Amphitheatre 

Cheer on the leaders and watch friends and family as they enter the second half of race week.

Stage 5: 24 March

Spectator Point A: Elgin Grabow Country Club 

Elgin’s most popular country club is the location for the first spectator point of Stage 5. Pick up a Peregrine pie on your way.

Spectator Point B: Idiom Wines 

The perfect place to watch teams race into the final demands of Stage 5, the Queen Stage. Wine tasting and a restaurant with amazing views are available.

Stage 6: 25 March 

Spectator Point: Lourensford Wine Estate

There are several spectator points from which fans can enjoy the racing, but no private vehicles will be allowed to enter the farm roads. There will be guided MTB tours to water and spectator points.

Stage 7: 26 March

Spectator Point A: Waterford Wine Estate 

The first opportunity for fans to see the teams race towards their finisher medals during Stage 7. Wine drive safaris, wine tasting and a restaurant are available.

Spectator Point B: Dornier Wines 

Dornier Wines offers the last chance to watch the teams refuel at the final water point. There will be a Dornier Wines activation on site.

Grand Finale: Val de Vie Estate 

Join in the celebrations at the final finish line from 10:30am.

Also read:

Cape Epic: Siblings aim to make their mark in world famous MTB race

Picture: @capeepic / Twitter 

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