Annual Mountain Bike Race in Cape Town, South Africa: Absa Cape Epic 2023
Rewritten Article:
The Thrilling Adventure: The ABSA Cape Epic
The motto of the ABSA Cape Epic rings truer than ever. Recent editions have ratcheted up the intensity, pushing participants to their breaking points. With more challenging stages focused on technical single tracks, the Cape Epic has morphed from its early years.
Aspiring winners must possess both a powerful engine and the technical abilities to match. It's evident that the greatest cross-country rider of all time, Nino Schurter, has won this race on two occasions. He's back this year, looking to claim the trifecta.
The 2022 surprise package, Speed Company, are back to prove that their success wasn't a one-time fluke. Georg Egger and Lukas Baum want to make it two in a row. Over eight grueling days in the saddle, we'll find out who takes home the Absa Cape Epic 2023 crown.
Recent Results
Speed Company claimed the overall victory in 2022, taking the lead on the final stage of the event. Matt Beers, the 2021 winner and a local legend, is back for another shot at a South African victory. The 2020 edition was canceled due to the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, while 2019 champion Nino Schurter is back once more. Since the legendary Christoph Sauser retired, there haven't been many multiple-time champions. This year's Absa Cape Epic is more competitive than ever, with several teams gunning for both individual stages and the overall win.
Cape Epic 2023 Route
The route follows a similar format to recent years. Kicking off with a short prologue on Sunday the 19th of March, the race then heads to the picturesque coastal town of Hermanus. Following two stages there, the field moves to the mountain bike playground of Grabouw. After a fun day in the area, the race returns over the mountain to Somerset West. The transition stage is tough, with riders facing the infamous Groenlandberg climb before descending into the finish at Lourensford Wine Estate. The second-last stage keeps the teams in the area. The final day's stage isn't a walk in the park - it's still 80km with 2400m of climbing. Last year's runners-up learned firsthand just how crucial this stage can be.
Contenders
Nino Schurter is bent on finishing his business at the Epic. Since his back-to-back victories, the Swiss legend and his Scott team have struggled in Africa's toughest mountain bike race. This year, Schurter teams up with the formidable Andri Frischknecht. Together, they form a strong partnership. Last year's runners-up, Andreas Seewald and Martin Stosek, hope to make amends for their heartbreaking second place finish. Having held the race leader's yellow jersey for most of the race, they know what it takes to succeed.
Matt Beers and Chris Blevins, representing the Specialized trade team, are also in contention this year. Although it would be foolish to count out the recently crowned South African marathon champion, Beers, the Speed Company racing team of Georg Egger and Lukas Baum are likely the bookies' favorites for the 2023 event. Their aggressive racing style and ability to seize opportunities make them tough to beat if they enter the race with the same form that won them the race in 2022.
Ladies Field
In the women's race, the Songo-Specialized team has taken overall honours in the last 4 editions. Half of last year's winning duo, Sofia Gomez Villafane, returns this year with the experienced Katerina Nash as her partner. Other possible contenders include the Cannondale team of Greete Steinburg and Monica Yuliana, the South African duo of Candice Lill and Amy Wakefield, and roadie extraordinaire Kim Le Court and her partner Vera Looser. This year's race is wide open, with only three competitors in the ladies' field having won a stage previously. It could be the perfect opportunity for a first overall victory for a fully South African team.
Absa Cape Epic 2023 - Conclusion
As always, the race starts with a prologue on Sunday the 19th of March. The first day usually sets the tone for the week ahead. Riders off form on that opening day could be in for a long, grueling week. Just like last year, the final stage isn't a procession - it's a battle to the finish at Val De Vie estate in Paarl. Teams striving for overall victory must stay focused from day one to the end of day eight. Once again, the race will showcase top-notch mountain biking talent, and the battle for the overall will be as intense as ever!
Before you place your bets, take a look at some of the best betting sites in South Africa for all your betting needs. With major cycling events like the Tour de France, Giro D'Italia, and Vuelta later in the year, it's worth shopping around to see who offers the best odds. Check out our Tour de France 2022 and Vuelta 2022 articles for some history before you place your bets. Some of the bookies to watch with the best offers and odds are Betway, Fafabet, Hollywoodbets, Supabets, Gbets, and bet.co.za.
- Arguably, sports enthusiasts might find the 2023 Absa Cape Epic an exciting sports-betting opportunity, as the field of participants includes notable names like Nino Schurter and the Speed Company racing team.
- Cape epics are not only found in stories, but also in the thrilling race route that passes through Hermanus, Grabouw, and Somerset West, with the final stage being a challenging 80km ride with 2400m of climbing.
- In the sports of mountain biking, the Absa Cape Epic 2023 is arguably one of the most competitive events, with contenders like Matt Beers, Chris Blevins, and the reigning champions, Georg Egger and Lukas Baum, all vying for the top spot.
- The ladies' field in the Absa Cape Epic 2023 is arguably open to a broader range of competitors, with only three competitors having won a stage previously, creating a perfect opportunity for a first overall victory for a fully South African team.
