The untamed Cape Epic - Eight days packed with drama, pain and glory
Cape Town, South Africa. 8 days, over 600 kilometers, and 15,000 meters of climbing. The Cape Epic is considered the Tour de France of mountain bike racing. The race that measures all is marked red in the racing calendar of SCOTT-SRAM. It's no secret that we are aiming high and trying to go for the win again.
But pay attention! We have learned from the excitement of recent years, that this race can quickly go from drama to glory and from glory to drama. The rough conditions are demanding for everyone involved. That's what makes this unpredictable event a one-of-a-kind adventure.
Over the years this race has established itself as a highlight in the SCOTT-SRAM calendar as a race that demands everything from riders and equipment and writes stories that are only worthy of a Cape Epic. Last season was one such year where SCOTT-SRAM were put to the test and came out all the stronger for the 2022 season. The rest is history!
Discover the teams, the bikes and click the stories below to learn what it takes to compete at the world’s toughest MTB race.
News
SCOTT Spark RC - Bike Check
The untamed Cape Epic is a true challenge not only for the riders, but also for their equipment. Bikes are challenged with the harshest conditions you can imagine throughout the 8-day race.
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SCOTT SRAM's Spark RC 900 World Cup
At Cape Epic, the team will be riding SCOTT's Spark RC World Cup. Cape Epic comes with its own unique challenges, which is why the team bikes will be set up a bit differently than for a World Cup race. The boys have to be able to sort their own problems our on course, no Yanick the Mechanic nearby, which is why they'll have to carry spares, plugs, pumps etc.
Fully kitted out with SRAM AXS Groupsets, RockShox Suspension and Dropper posts, and Syncros Silverton 1.0S wheels - it's time for the tires to hit the dirt.
Teams
The untamed Cape Epic is known as the toughest mountain bike stage race in the world. Wild and remote sometimes inhospitable and other times staggeringly beautiful, the Western Cape region of South Africa both tests and surprises all who tackle its ungroomed trails. When the sounds of the cicadas are harsher than the heat they proclaim, when icy mornings lead to driving rain, you can be certain that both equipment and spirit will be pushed to the limit. In this place, where roads hardened year-round by the sun can turn to quicksand overnight, teams will be challenged mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Nino Schurter, 2019 Cape Epic Champion, will try everything to repeat his 2019 success in this year's race together with his team partner Andri Frischknecht, starting March 19th. With the luck they need on their side, they will try to control the race and attack when time allows. The SCOTT-SRAM team has proven in the past that great team spirit is a huge force in the battle.
In the Grand Masters category, SCOTT-SRAM Team Director Thomas Frischknecht will participate in his 10th Cape Epic. As in previous editions, Frischknecht will be joined by his best buddy Urs Gerig, to take on the race as the "old dudes" of SCOTT-SRAM.
The race - 600km | 15000m Climbing
The route kicks off with a short and sharp Prologue on the trails of Meerendal Wine Estate, before heading southeast to Hermanus, where the oceanside town hosts the race for two stages. From Hermanus, the first transition stage of 2023 pits teams against a traverse inland to Oak Valley Estate where a mid-week time trial awaits on the trails of Oak Valley and Paul Cluver.
Once the race against the clock has been completed, Stage 5, the Queen Stage, requires concentration and dedication to navigate as it guards passage to Lourensford Wine Estate where Stage 6 stands ready, spear in hand.
With six stages completed, and the efforts of 600 kilometres compounded, all that stands between teams and their spot in The Book of Legend is The Trail to Val de Vie. Though short on paper, it is far from short on demands.
When the final finish line is crossed, in front of roaring crowds on the fields of Val de Vie, the achievement of eight days of limit-testing racing will be on display from those first across the line to the very last.
