Nino claims victory.
The Absa Cape Epic, often referred to as the “Tour de France of mountain biking,” is the most prestigious multi-day mountain bike race in the world. Each year, it attracts numerous professional cyclists and enthusiasts from all over the globe for a challenging and exhilarating journey through the mountains. While Chinese riders have participated in the past, the pandemic and other factors kept them away from recent editions.
In the 2024 season, and the 20th edition of the Absa Cape Epic, we see the return of Chinese cyclists with Feng Kuanjie and Zhu Jun forming the China MTB team. It will be interesting to witness their performance and the unfolding drama among the elite competitors.
Over the eight days of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic, riders face a cumulative distance of 617km with a total elevation gain of 16,500m.
Stage 1 | March 17
Difficulty: 2.5 Stars
Route: Lourensford Wine Estate
Distance: 26km Ascent: 700m
Men’s Elite Category
The World Bicycle Relief team with Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini started their campaign with a win.
The defending champions Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne finished second, 51 seconds behind.
In third place were Hans Becking and Wout Alleman of Buff Megamo, 1 minute and 32 seconds adrift.
For much of the opening stage, defending champion Matthew Beers and his partner Howard Grotts led the race, holding a 19-second advantage over eventual stage winners Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini at the halfway point.
However, Schurter and Fini gradually turned the tables, pacing themselves better and surging in the second half of the stage to secure a come-from-behind victory.
The South African Imbuko A team of Wessel Botha and Marco Joubert surprised everyone by finishing fourth, just 1 minute and 37 seconds off the podium. The Italian Wilier Vittoria Factory duo of Fabian Rabensteiner and Samuele Porro followed in fifth place.
German riders Georg Egger and Lukas Baum of the 2022 Cape Epic champions Speed Company Racing finished sixth, losing 2 minutes and 48 seconds in the stage.