Cape Epic 2026

[Stephan]

Wow, well done to the organisers. For the first time in many years the Epic goes back to its roots. Montagu as the start. Amazing. Love the long transition stage. This is going to be a hard Epic but best route in years me thinks. 

[Shebeen]

49 minutes ago, Stephan said:

Wow, well done to the organisers. For the first time in many years the Epic goes back to its roots. Montagu as the start. Amazing. Love the long transition stage. This is going to be a hard Epic but best route in years me thinks. 

Agreed. Montagu is an awesome place to kick this off. Well done ACE.

[Shebeen]

On 8/25/2025 at 1:05 PM, DieselnDust said:

actually, Drakenstein Municipality wanted the route to tranverse Paarl for 3 years. So I suspect we may have a Prologue in Meerendal. followed by something like this

Stage 1 in Greyton to Greyton

Stage 2 Journey to Oakvalley

Stage 3  Oakvalley to Oakvalley

Stage5 : Oakvalley to Paarl

Stage 6 : Paarl to Lourensford

Stage 7 : Lourensford 

I think you get 0/7 for once! 

[Kylie]

Another announcement from last night, which was not mentioned in the press release,  is that the Elite women are going to race a shortened course to finish in a similar time as the Elite men. Much like how the women's XCO courses are shortened to give a similar race time.

This should make it more exciting for spectators, and make the media coverage easier, and hopefully result in some sharp racing. I believe the exact mechanics are still TBC.

I have no doubt there will be some very polarised views on this, but I think it's a great proactive step towards deepening the field and raising the level of the women's race. 

[ChrisF]

26 minutes ago, Kylie said:

Another announcement from last night, which was not mentioned in the press release,  is that the Elite women are going to race a shortened course to finish in a similar time as the Elite men. Much like how the women's XCO courses are shortened to give a similar race time.

This should make it more exciting for spectators, and make the media coverage easier, and hopefully result in some sharp racing. I believe the exact mechanics are still TBC.

I have no doubt there will be some very polarised views on this, but I think it's a great proactive step towards deepening the field and raising the level of the women's race. 

 

Please tell more .... how would this apply to the "non-elite" lady teams ?

[DieselnDust]

10 hours ago, Shebeen said:

I think you get 0/7 for once! 

Not quite 0/7

the moving of the finish location back to Stellenbosch is news to me.

general direction though was close. I like that they’re linking some of 2005 to 2017 and 2018

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, Kylie said:

Another announcement from last night, which was not mentioned in the press release,  is that the Elite women are going to race a shortened course to finish in a similar time as the Elite men. Much like how the women's XCO courses are shortened to give a similar race time.

This should make it more exciting for spectators, and make the media coverage easier, and hopefully result in some sharp racing. I believe the exact mechanics are still TBC.

I have no doubt there will be some very polarised views on this, but I think it's a great proactive step towards deepening the field and raising the level of the women's race. 

🤔......

Does this mean the women's race will now be  Epic...ish?

And what of the mixed team's race, Age grouper ladies? Will they still be measuring all...?

[Eugene Oppelt]

That’ll warm me up

[Kylie]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

Please tell more .... how would this apply to the "non-elite" lady teams ?

 

38 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

🤔......

Does this mean the women's race will now be  Epic...ish?

And what of the mixed team's race, Age grouper ladies? Will they still be measuring all...?

Age groupers and mixed will race the full route, as far as I understand this only applies to the Elite field

[Michael S]

8 minutes ago, Kylie said:

 

Age groupers and mixed will race the full route, as far as I understand this only applies to the Elite field

Would make sense. 

Similar to the August setup.

[Squier]

Those long transition stages are going to bite, especially when the elements also play their part - like they always do in the Western Cape.

Great route. Loved the amount of trails of 2025. This is completely different again but definitely Epic. 

[Headshot]

Going to be a good watch! 

[saturdayknight]

58 minutes ago, Kylie said:

 

Age groupers and mixed will race the full route, as far as I understand this only applies to the Elite field

that was my understanding - was at launch last night and seems only elite ladies race shorter route to bring them to finish around same time as men

[saturdayknight]

47 minutes ago, Squier said:

Those long transition stages are going to bite, especially when the elements also play their part - like they always do in the Western Cape.

Great route. Loved the amount of trails of 2025. This is completely different again but definitely Epic. 

if there is a headwind ... eish

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, Kylie said:

 

Age groupers and mixed will race the full route, as far as I understand this only applies to the Elite field

How do you feel about this development @Kylie

[DieselnDust]

26 minutes ago, saturdayknight said:

that was my understanding - was at launch last night and seems only elite ladies race shorter route to bring them to finish around same time as men

Well that’s going to be interesting if they do arrive at the same time for a sprint finish…..

I see the opportunity for multiple fups