The Overberg has become a mountain biking mecca in recent years, so the return of the world-famous ultra endurance event is bound to attract fans aplenty
The Absa Cape Epic comes to the Overberg for a fifth time in 2023, and after a four-year break the Overberg and its people are ready to welcome riders, crews and spectators with open arms.
The Cape Epic last rolled into Hermanus in 2019 – a year before the arrival of Covid-19 in South Africa which resulted in the 2020 event being cancelled. While it was staged in 2021, the fans who make mountain bike racing’s “Tour de France” such an incredible spectacle were unable to attend due to pandemic restrictions.
Thankfully that all changed last year, with people coming out in their thousands to cheer on the riders and enjoy the festivities once more.
This year Hermanus hosts Stages 1 and 2 of the race.
Located in the nook of the Kleinrivier Mountains, the Hermanus High School sports grounds offer the Absa Cape Epic easy access to the region’s growing network of trails.
To the northwest lies the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, an area synonymous with award winning Pinot Noir and world-class mountain biking, while to the east Stanford, wine estates and wheat fields beckon.
In 2023, the “Untamed African Mountain Bike Race” makes its first visit to these trails since the high-speed fly-through on the stage between Bredasdorp and Hermanus in 2008.
Overstrand Mayor Dr Annelie Rabie said the Cape Epic stay in Hermanus was a “wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful area to the world and it is a huge feather in the cap for Overstrand.
“We look forward to welcoming the riders, supporters and crew visiting from 19 to 26 March.”
