The mountain biking champions of the future will be taking part in this year’s Absa Cape Epic which takes place from March 23 to 30.
Siphosenkosi Madolo leads fellow Exxaro riders during stage two of the 2013 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Citrusdal to Saronsberg Wine Estate in Tulbagh, South Africa, on March 19. Photo: Greg Beadle / Cape Epic / SPORTZPICS
The race will again see 1 200 riders take on the challenging route of 718km with 14 850m of climbing, starting with the Prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate and finishing eight days later at Lourensford Wine Estate.
The Absa Cape Epic is the world’s most prestigious mountain bike race in which every amateur wants to participate and every elite professional aspires to win.
The champions of tomorrow include names such as Azukile Simayile, Benjamin Bachelet, Craig Boyes, Dominic Calitz, Simon Stiebjahn, Sipho Madolo and William Mokgopo.
These young riders have all proven that they have what it takes in multi-stage races.
Azukile Simayile (21) will be riding with Sipho Madolo (23) as team Meerendal-Songo-Specialized 16. Together they have completed one of the two Absa Cape Epics that they entered as a team; in total Simayile has completed two and Madolo three Absa Cape Epics.
Benjamin Bachelet (23) of France, will be riding with fellow Frenchman Nicolas Ferre (48). He says: “To participate in the Absa Cape Epic is a dream come true as it’s very prestigious and well-organised – it will be my first.”
Craig Boyes (23) and Dominic Calitz (23) will be riding together as team Paarl Media 2. Boyes comments: “The Absa Cape Epic is one of the hardest races. I’ve done two so far and really enjoy them.”
Germany’s Simon Stiebjahn (23) will be riding with Tim Böhme (31) as team Bulls 2. Stiebjahn reckons the Absa Cape Epic is the biggest and most important mountain bike race in the world.
William Mokgopo (22) will be riding with Owen Hannie as part of Team Absa. This will be Mokgopo’s third Absa Cape Epic. He says: “The Absa Cape Epic will be hard as ever. It’s all about partnership, starting slow and finishing harder.”
To view more information on the Absa Cape Epic event, click here.
