Cape Epic 2026

[babse]

50 minutes ago, The Bull Shark said:

And not a peep from our local media and news outlets. But we understand who controls the media.

https://search.app/Zym4k

[DieselnDust]

First win for an all South African Team !!🤩

[cadenceblur]

3 hours ago, mrcg said:

"You can't believe only once you have achieved it, you need to believe to be able to do it".

Giant hats off and deep bow to the Specialized team of Matt and Tristan. Incredible effort from the youngster, and it finally hit him in that interview with Max. The tears flowing freely, realising he beat such a large bunch of world class riders in the most prestigious multi day stage race.

Of course, without Matt, this would not have been possible. We still nostalgically and rightly often mention Burry, but now after all that Matt has achieved, he is definitely on the same step and richly deserves the biggest plaudits and acknowledgement. 4 wins with 4 different partners is an epic achievement, topped by cajoling a real talent to the top step this time around. It cannot be understated what both have achieved and they have made South Africa so very proud.

My heart also beams with Candices' success. Finally her resilience and awesome nature have paid off. Huge congratulations to her and Darren, and of course Allesandra (amazing rider!). Clearly remember doing Joberg2c with them 2016 and just knowing that Candice has what it takes. Some things take time, but man it must taste so sweet right now.

And what a humble / nice guy Matt is as well, not at all aloof and strikes me as  quite accessible as well. 

 

[SwissVan]

4 hours ago, The Bull Shark said:

And not a peep from our local media and news outlets. But we understand who controls the media.

Who, If I may ask?

[Danger Dassie]

15 hours ago, The Bull Shark said:

And not a peep from our local media and news outlets. But we understand who controls the media.

It’s been/being covered through many local news. Leave the conspiratorial nonsense to the refugees.

[Danger Dassie]

13 hours ago, cadenceblur said:

And what a humble / nice guy Matt is as well, not at all aloof and strikes me as  quite accessible as well. 

 

Think it often gets misinterpreted as such, because he’s generally deadpan and has a pretty sharp dry sense of humour.

[FootballingCyclist]

*Insert Chad Le Clos fathers voice*

Unbelievable

[babse]

23 minutes ago, FootballingCyclist said:

*Insert Chad Le Clos fathers voice*

Unbelievable

not Hugh Bladen?

[FootballingCyclist]

1 minute ago, babse said:

not Hugh Bladen?

Even Peter Drury

[Danger Dassie]

Caught this the day on Tristan Nortje’s arm when Nortje/Beers slipped into red. 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

What a beautiful week of mountain bike racing, made even more special by having Saffers on the top step of the podium 👏 

Say what you want about the Cape Epic but you cannot deny that this race is something special and we're privileged to have it happen in our back yard 🙌 

Well done to all involved and especially to those riders who endured 8 days of grueling racing, you deserve that medal. Hang it up somewhere special and may it provide you with years of fond memories every time you look at it 🫡

[Eugene Oppelt]

Cool background content

 

[Shebeen]

On 3/19/2026 at 5:41 PM, The Bull Shark said:

I cannot see Beers and Tristan catching up on lost time unless the other teams have their share of mechanicals and crashes. And it will be unfair of us to expect so much from Tristan so early in his career. It might have been different if he was Beer's partner from the outset so that they could train together for a year.

 

21 hours ago, The Bull Shark said:

I have to eat my words.

Well done Tristan, you proved me wrong. You must have eaten your fair share of cement and still came up tops.

Me, my wife and son was at the bottom of G-Spot and saw them coming through, counted the gap and knew they had it in the bag.

I hope they stay as a team for next year's race.

Good man, for A) sticking your neck out, and B)admitting you got it wrong. Awesome that the result hung in the balance for so long. On for 2027 - I doubt Spez international would have him as first choice, unless he has a huge 2026 - but there's plenty of water to flow under this bridge still.

 

I really feel for ACE who are doing everything they can to try and get the Ladies elite race to have some action. They just can't seem to make it happen, potentially there were plenty of eyes watching the different format and we could see a more competitive elite ladies field next year if they stick to this.

 

 

[Shebeen]

Cape Epic seem to have thrown out their past results function from their page, but having AI scrap Tristan's instagram I get this:

That's a decent internship:

 

edit: well there's AI for you. in 2023 he rode it with.....Boytjies! they came 24th, no doubt riding in support of winners Beers/Blevins.

Edited March 23 by Shebeen

[DieselnDust]

8 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

 

Good man, for A) sticking your neck out, and B)admitting you got it wrong. Awesome that the result hung in the balance for so long. On for 2027 - I doubt Spez international would have him as first choice, unless he has a huge 2026 - but there's plenty of water to flow under this bridge still.

 

I really feel for ACE who are doing everything they can to try and get the Ladies elite race to have some action. They just can't seem to make it happen, potentially there were plenty of eyes watching the different format and we could see a more competitive elite ladies field next year if they stick to this.

 

 

I’d love to see a stronger ladies field to but there are already rumours of the first UCI XCO round in South Korea being cancelled due to poor attendance thanks to sharp Increases in airfare and other reasons 

watch this space I guess

[Michael S]

25 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

 

Good man, for A) sticking your neck out, and B)admitting you got it wrong. Awesome that the result hung in the balance for so long. On for 2027 - I doubt Spez international would have him as first choice, unless he has a huge 2026 - but there's plenty of water to flow under this bridge still.

 

I really feel for ACE who are doing everything they can to try and get the Ladies elite race to have some action. They just can't seem to make it happen, potentially there were plenty of eyes watching the different format and we could see a more competitive elite ladies field next year if they stick to this.

 

 

Have to agree, especially with Keegan who seems to really want an Epic win badly. Without changes in the actual Specialized off-road team, which is unlikely as they are already the "biggest" in terms of gravel, and KS who has just joined. Without injuries or team change, reckon we'll see a MB +KS team next year. And they will be helluva strong. 

 

There will be a hunger lurking for Gaze and Schwartzbauer who were super strong barring day 1 trouble. If that team stays together and come back, they will fighting.