Going Through Hell
Imagine a mountain bike race across the rugged steppes of South Africa. Eight days, 700 kilometers, and 16,000 meters of climbing in total. Scorching heat through barren desert landscapes, over dusty trails with technical sections and brutal climbs. Face to face with venomous snakes, scorpions, and spiders. Who would voluntarily sign up for something like that?
Well, about 1,200 mountain bike lunatics from over 40 nations — and they do it every single year at the Absa Cape Epic! Two Ergon teams are back at the start line again.
The Absa Cape Epic, running from March 15 to 22, 2026, is considered the toughest mountain bike stage race in the world and is being held for the 22nd time this year. Eight days of dust — eight days of pain — eight days of total exhaustion — that's what the approximately 1,200 participants can expect on their ride through the untamed wilderness of South Africa. The Cape Epic is like a wild horse, "untamed," as the organizers have called it since its inception. Heat, wind, dust, thorns, and rocks torment the riders and make for extremely hostile environment that can end your race in no time.
Mountain Biking at the Absolute Limit
The course surprises riders each year. This time, the route spans eight stages and roughly 700 kilometers through the diverse Western Cape — from the dusty singletrack of Meerendal Wine Estate to the breathtaking expanses around Montagu, continuing through the rugged passes and gnarly trails of Greyton, all the way to the grand finale in the vibrant heart of Stellenbosch. Along the way, each two-person team must conquer nearly 16,000 meters of climbing under the most grueling conditions. The course has everything that defines mountain biking at the extreme end: temperatures up to 122°F, merciless gravel roads, savage climbs, technical downhills, flowing singletrack, thorns as big as nails, and adventurous river crossings. Nearly every team also has to deal with the inevitable mechanical failures.
We're thrilled that Ergon will once again be represented by several top-tier team riders. In addition to Lukas Baum and Georg Egger from Speed Company Racing, Luca Schwarzbauer from Canyon CLLCTV will also be competing — riding alongside New Zealander Sam Gaze from Team Alpecin-Deceuninck. But even for our seasoned Ergon athletes, the race is always a massive challenge and can only be conquered with the right team spirit. A defining feature of the Cape Epic is its unique competition format: riders compete in two-person teams, which requires not only tactical skill but also perfect coordination and mutual support. Equipment, body, and mind are pushed to their limits — and sometimes the team's harmony is, too.
Completely Wiped Out
The physical and mental suffering, however, is only part of the deal — participants also face a whole different set of challenges and dangers. Robert Mennen from our former Topeak-Ergon Racing Team found this out the hard way back in 2013:
Right on the first stage, the then-27-year-old from Nörvenich collided at full speed with an antelope, flipped hard, and broke his collarbone. That was the end of the race for him and his partner at the time, three-time XC Marathon World Champion Alban Lakata. The two had considered themselves contenders for a top spot in the overall standings of the UCI race. Since the former German XC Marathon Champion was riding with a handlebar camera, the incident was actually caught on video (see below). Those images went viral at the time and caused a sensation in the MTB community. Anyone who watches it will understand that he was actually lucky to walk away, and why the Cape Epic rightfully ranks as one of the toughest stage races under the sun.
LINK to the video here
Key Details for Cape Epic 2026
Stage-by-Stage Overview
The Absa Cape Epic 2026 route covers a total of 692 kilometers with 15,900 meters of climbing. Riders face a prologue and seven demanding main stages:
| Stage | Date | Distance | Elevation | Location |
| Prologue | March 15 | 20 km / 12.4 mi | 650 m / 2,133 ft | Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville |
| Stage 1 | March 16 | 90 km / 56 mi | 2,150 m / 7,054 ft | Montagu |
| Stage 2 | March 17 | 102 km / 63 mi | 2,250 m / 7,382 ft | Montagu |
| Stage 3 | March 18 | 134 km / 83 mi | 1,750 m / 5,741 ft | Montagu to Greyton |
| Stage 4 | March 19 | 84 km / 52 mi | 1,950 m / 6,398 ft | Greyton |
| Stage 5 | March 20 | 128 km / 80 mi | 2,700 m / 8,858 ft | Greyton to Stellenbosch |
| Stage 6 | March 21 | 76 km / 47 mi | 2,450 m / 8,038 ft | Stellenbosch |
| Stage 7 | March 22 | 58 km / 36 mi | 2,000 m / 6,562 ft | Stellenbosch |
The undisputed queen stage this year is once again the fifth leg. On Friday, March 20, approximately 600 two-person teams will face a punishing test: 128 kilometers and a brutal 2,700 meters of climbing through merciless, technically demanding terrain. An ordeal that will push even hardened pros to their physical and mental limits — and one that has more than a few participants quietly but persistently wondering beforehand whether the Cape Epic is really the right event for them.
Where Can I Follow the Cape Epic?
The Cape Epic is known for its extensive and spectacular coverage — especially the stunning helicopter footage that captivates mountain bike fans all over the world.
You can follow the race through the following channels:
- Official Cape Epic Website
- Cape Epic Facebook Page
- Epic Series YouTube Channel
- EPIC Series App (available for iOS and Android)
- SuperSport (South African TV broadcaster)
- Livestreams on MTB-News.de
For more info, visit: www.epic-series.com