A recent acquisition by Ironman means the 2018 Swiss Epic will become the second global qualifier for the Cape Epic mountain bike stage race.
This followed the announcement that the Wanda Sports Holding company reached an agreement to acquire the Swiss event, which was won by Centurion Vaude pair Daniel Geismayr and Jocken Käss this year.
The Swiss Epic will offer athletes the chance to qualify for the Cape Epic. Photo: Supplied
One of Europe’s premier mountain bike races, the Swiss Epic draws more than 500 riders from 30 nations as they compete for six days, covering 350km and 12 000m of climbing.
“Together with my co-founders Daniel Gehrig and Thomas Frischknecht, I am extremely proud about what the Swiss Epic has become since 2014,” said founder Joko Vogel.
“What started as a small idea has been turned into a major mountain bike event that will now become part of a world series. We feel humbled and honored.”
The Pioneer, which has been postponed until late 2018 or early 2019, is also a qualifier for the Cape Epic.
The eight-day stage race in the Western Cape will take place from March 18 to 25.
