The 2026 Absa Cape Epic, unveiled on 9 October 2025 at the Southern Sun Cape Sun in Cape Town, promises riders a route that blends charm, challenge, and the raw essence of endurance mountain biking. Over 692 kilometres with a staggering 15,900 metres of climbing, the eight-day event will test the mettle of a 1,300-strong field representing more than 50 countries.
Route Director Hendrico Burger describes the route as “classic Absa Cape Epic”: “Just a few kilometres from a gorgeous small town, you can find trails that throw everything at you. That’s the essence of this year – a race that’s beautiful and brutal in equal measure.”
Durbanville: The Prologue at Meerendal
The 2026 adventure begins at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, a familiar and much-loved host for the Prologue. Riders will face a sharp opener: 20 kilometres with 650 metres of climbing, weaving through vineyards and purpose-built singletrack. It’s short but unforgiving – a test that sets the tone for the week ahead, rewarding smooth technical skills and punishing early nerves.
Durbanville’s Tygerberg Trail Network has made it a cornerstone of Cape mountain biking. With iconic views of Table Mountain and world-class facilities, it offers the perfect mix of spectacle for fans and a stern wake-up call for riders.
Montagu: A Return After 19 Years
From Durbanville, the race moves east to Montagu, returning to the Klein Karoo town for the first time in 19 years. Famous for sandstone cliffs, orchards, and hot springs, Montagu will host Stages 1 and 2. Here, the route introduces long jeep tracks, rocky climbs, and rugged descents that echo the spirit of the early Epics.
Montagu’s terrain is raw and untamed – a reminder that the Cape Epic is not about comfort but about resilience. Stage 3 will then carry riders out of Montagu and towards Greyton, bridging two contrasting landscapes with a day that blends distance and elevation into a stern mid-race test.
Greyton: Familiar Yet Fierce
Greyton returns as host for the middle of the race, staging Stage 4 and serving as the launchpad for Stage 5, which carries riders toward Stellenbosch. Nestled in the Riviersonderend Mountains, Greyton charms with its oak-lined streets and warm hospitality, but the trails beyond are unforgiving. Riders can expect rocky ridgelines, steep climbs, and fast, technical descents that can unravel a race in a heartbeat.
Greyton has long been a Cape Epic favourite because it combines bucolic beauty with brutal riding – the perfect balance of the event’s dual identity.
Stellenbosch: A World-Class Finale
The race concludes with a spectacular showdown in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s cycling capital. Stages 6 and 7 will showcase the region’s legendary singletrack, set against a backdrop of vineyards and dramatic mountains. Riders will encounter lung-busting climbs in Jonkershoek and flowing trails that epitomise Stellenbosch’s world-renowned trail-building culture.
As the Grand Finale plays out, fans lining the finish will celebrate not just winners but survivors – riders who have endured one of the toughest mountain bike stage races on earth.
Pain, Glory, and Global Prestige
The 2026 Absa Cape Epic delivers more than just a race. It’s a pilgrimage across diverse Western Cape landscapes – from Durbanville’s wine estates to Montagu’s rugged cliffs, Greyton’s deceptive valleys, and Stellenbosch’s manicured trails. Riders will leave with dust on their faces, lactic acid in their legs, and stories to last a lifetime.
The 2026 Absa Cape Epic takes place from 15 to 22 March 2026.
