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26 September 2024
Legend awaits in the next chapter of the Absa Cape Epic saga. From the Prologue on Meerendal Wine Estate to the Grand Finale’s finish line at Lourensford Wine Estate, the 2025 route provides the terrain for each participant to add to the lore of the world’s premier mountain bike stage race. For over 1200 amateur riders, it’s a life-affirming, bucket-list goal. For the professionals, it defines seasons and careers. Each edition of the Absa Cape Epic is meticulously designed months in advance, offering a route that challenges, rewards, and creates unforgettable moments, while setting the stage for drama and captivating viewing from around the globe.
Daniel Munslow, Absa Managing Executive: Group Communications says, “We remain committed to our sponsorship of this premier event, which resonates deeply with our brand ethos that your story matters. Over the years, we have witnessed the incredible evolution, growth, and success of the Absa Cape Epic, and we are proud to be associated with such an iconic event. The enduring partnership between Absa and the Cape Epic is a testament to our shared commitment to elevating world-class sports while leveraging our potential to be a force for good. This collaboration delivers real impact, from the riders to corporate citizenship initiatives, including community development, education, and women empowerment.”
The 2025 race spans 608 kilometres with 16,500 meters of climbing—a tale waiting to be written across Durbanville, Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Somerset West. It begins with a familiar Prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate, setting the scene with sharp climbs and flowing singletracks before delving into the core chapters of this epic race.
Stage 1 deviates from tradition by starting and finishing at Meerendal, after a Prologue at the famous mountain biking venue. The 96-kilometer marathon through Durbanville's wine farms features the best of the Tygerberg trail network and offers fans ample opportunity to see their heroes in the flesh. It is the first big test and one which should reveal who the week’s main protagonists will be.
The narrative then takes a twist with an early time trial, a point-to-point test from Meerendal to Fairview in Paarl, setting the scene for significant gains but also potential losses.
Two new stages in Paarl around the famous granite outcrops, showcasing fresh territory and previously untapped trails. “The Drakenstein Municipality has always been welcoming, and for next year we devised a course that will not simply touch on the riding there, but truly showcase it,” Route Director, Hendrico Burger revealed.
The Queen Stage on Friday takes the teams from Fairview to Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West. It not only challenges riders with just over 103 kilometres of racing, but also features 3,050 metres of climbing and numerous opportunities for trail-side views to watch the teams fly by.
The stage is set to be a thrilling crescendo over the final weekend at Lourensford Wine Estate, where the celebrated trails and exquisite scenery of the neighbouring farms provide a fitting backdrop for the climax of the event.
Stage 6 mixes some of the legendary Lourensford sections with vast natural beauty, offering no relief after the previous day’s efforts. Singletracks through eucalyptus forests, dual tracks alongside orchards and vineyards, and mountainous ascents are all woven together in this penultimate stage.
Stage 7, the Grand Finale, will bring the 2025 chapter to its emotional close. As riders circle the Helderberg Dome, the terrain is poised for a final act of triumph for those who wish to write their name in the book of legends.2
