The 2025 Absa Cape Epic Men’s race is shaping up to be an all-out battle of endurance, skill, and strategy when racing kicks off on Sunday, 16 March at Meerendal Wine Estate.
With 50 UCI Men’s teams, including four former champions, multiple national champions, and rising stars, the race will deliver high drama over eight gruelling days, ending at Lourensford Wine Estate on 23 March 2025. Teams will face not only the rugged trails of Durbanville and Paarl but also relentless heat and potential hazards like punctures and crashes that have defined the race in recent years.
Favourites: The Big Names Gunning for Glory
Leading the charge is Outride | Toyota | Songo, with Matt Beers (RSA) and Keegan Swenson (USA). As the defending champion, Beers will wear number 1 and brings a wealth of experience, including three Cape Epic titles. Swenson, a gravel star from the US, has yet to reach his full Cape Epic potential, but alongside Beers, he is now in a position to fight for yellow all week long.
Scott SRAM fields the formidable Swiss duo of Nino Schurter—a two-time Cape Epic winner and 10-time World Champion—and Filipo Colombo, who comes into 2025 in sharp form. After coming close in recent years, Schurter is hungry for a third crown, and Colombo’s climbing power could give them an edge.
Crowd favorites ORBEA Leatt Speed Company, featuring Georg Egger and Lukas Baum, return to chase a second title after their unforgettable 2022 win. Known for their attacking style, they remain a danger on every stage, with Baum set to race in his European Champion’s jersey.
Also in the mix are Singer KTM’s Andreas Seewald (GER) and Jakob Hartmann (GER). Seewald, a former World and current German XCM Champion, and Hartmann, who impressed on debut in 2024, form a powerhouse pairing ready to challenge for the podium.
South African Hope and Underdogs to Watch
Flying the South African flag high are Imbuko ChemChamp’s Marco Joubert and Tristan Nortje, the top local team in years, fresh off early-season wins. Their focus will be on claiming the Absa African Jersey, but they are serious outside bets for a podium, too.
Another local threat is PYGA Euro Steel, led by Philip Buys—a veteran with six African jerseys to his name—alongside Jaedon Terlouw. Expect them to fight tooth and nail for national pride.
Among the dark horses, Buff Megamo’s Wout Alleman (BEL) and Martin Stošek (CZE) bring serious marathon credentials, while Singer KTM 2 (Simon Stiebjahn & Martin Frey) is aiming to crack the top 5. And in a surprise crossover, Olympic champ Greg van Avermaet makes his Cape Epic debut with Julian Siemons (GVA Gold), adding road racing firepower to the mix.
The Cape Epic never follows a script, and with top teams, local heroes, and hungry underdogs, the 2025 edition promises edge-of-the-seat racing. Who will wear yellow in Lourensford?
