The 2026 Absa Cape Epic
March 15 - March 17
692km | 15900m Climbing
The 2026 Absa Cape Epic, pinnacle of the Epic Series, tears across 692 kilometers of raw South African wilderness, with 15 900 meters of climbing that will humble the unprepared and honor the relentless. From the dusty singletracks of Meerendal Wine Estate to the wild vastness of Montagu, through the rugged passes and trails of Greyton into the heart of Stellenbosch for the Grand Finale, the world’s premier mountain bike stage race charts a brutal, beautiful route across the Western Cape.
Every climb is a test, every descent a reward. This is a race where legends are made, and limits are shattered. Unpredictable. Unscripted. Untamed. This is the 2026 Absa Cape Epic route.
This is the 2026 Absa Cape Epic route, presented by Toyota. Are you tough enough?
Stage 1
Monday, March 16, 2026
Distance: Distance 90km | Climbing 2150m
Start Location: Montagu
Finish Location: Montagu
Stage 2
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Distance: 102km | Climbing 2250m
Start Location: Montagu
Finish Location: Montagu
Stage 3
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Distance: 134km | Climbing 1750m
Start Location: Montagu
Finish Location: Greyton
