Back to the Epic: Wilier-Vittoria returns to South Africa with Avondetto, Braidot and Zanotti

One year after the unforgettable experience of 2025, the Wilier-Vittoria MTB Factory Team is back in South Africa, ready to once again embrace the magic of the Cape Epic. This is mountain biking’s ultimate stage race – often dubbed the Tour de France of MTB – a grueling team event raced in pairs through dust, heat, wild landscapes and technical trails.

Last year, in their very first appearance at the race, Simone Avondetto and Luca Braidot produced a remarkable performance: three stage victories, second place overall, a day in the yellow jersey and podium finishes in seven of the eight stages. Now they return with a year of experience behind them, aware that every edition is different, hierarchies change and nothing can be taken for granted.

In the heart of the Western Cape, riders will tackle nearly 700 kilometres over eight days, with more than 15,000 metres of climbing. The race opens with a 20 km prologue in Meerendal, short but already selective among vineyards and technical singletrack. The first two stages unfold around Montagu (90 and 102 km), in the rugged and spectacular landscape of the Klein Karoo, with long climbs and wind-swept dirt tracks.

Stage three, a 134 km journey from Montagu to Greyton, is a true crossing through remote valleys and dusty backroads. Greyton also hosts the following stage, an 84 km loop packed with punchy climbs and demanding trails. The decisive moment comes with the queen stage, 128 km from Greyton to Stellenbosch, featuring mountain passes and the breathtaking scenery of the Cape Winelands. The final days take place around Stellenbosch, first with a 76 km stage through forests and vineyards, then with a short but explosive 58 km finale that will crown the winners after eight days of relentless racing.

“The experience we gained in 2025 will definitely help us,” said Avondetto. “We already know part of the course, the race conditions and some of the challenges this event throws at riders. We come to the start with excitement and curiosity, because being here again means a lot. The Cape Epic gives you nothing for free and there is no room to hold back.”

“There are places in the world where cycling stops being just a sport and becomes something deeper, more visceral,” added Braidot. “South Africa is one of those places. Here the race is a story written day by day: eight stages, hundreds of kilometres of red dirt, endless climbs and descents that demand everything you have. At the Cape Epic there is no controlled rhythm and no real way to manage your effort – you go, you endure, and the next day you do it all over again. That’s exactly what makes being here so special, and we can’t wait to get started.”

Avondetto and Braidot will not be the only Wilier-Vittoria riders in South Africa. Juri Zanotti will also be on the start line, making his second appearance after racing here in 2021. The Italian Short Track champion will test himself over the long distances of a demanding stage race, paired with Frenchman Mathis Azzaro, one of the world’s leading XCO specialists.

“This is my second Cape Epic, but the first with Wilier,” said Zanotti. “With the World Cup starting a bit later this season, I’m happy to have found a new goal for the early part of the year. The team has huge experience in this race – Marco Trentin has done it ten times – so there will be a lot to learn, from pacing to equipment choices. It will be tough, but I’m confident. We’re definitely aiming for the prologue; wearing the yellow jersey would be something special.”

“This will be my tenth Cape Epic as General Manager,” explained Wilier-Vittoria GM Marco Trentin. “In a race like this every detail has to be perfectly in place. No matter how prepared the staff and riders are, there’s always something unexpected waiting around the corner. We come here after a great Cape Epic in 2025, but we know that at this race you always start from scratch, and we approach it with the mindset of underdogs. Nutrition and fueling will once again play a crucial role, something we address specifically together with NamedSport: every phase matters, before, during and after each stage. From a technical standpoint, thanks to our long experience, we’ve developed solutions to handle any situation. It will still be a new challenge: Simone and Luca are only at their second Cape Epic and will keep growing as a team in such a demanding race. Juri will also be at the start, bringing valuable experience with him. As a team we will do everything possible to give our riders the best support in one of the toughest and most unpredictable races on the calendar.”

The 2026 Absa Cape Epic begins on Sunday, March 15. The race can be followed mainly online: each stage is broadcast live for free on the Epic Series YouTube channel. On the official race website, fans can also find a live blog, updated standings, and GPS tracking of the teams. 

CAPE EPIC 2026 ROUTE

Prologue – Meerendal → Meerendal: 20 km

Stage 1 – Montagu → Montagu: 90 km

Stage 2 – Montagu → Montagu: 102 km

Stage 3 – Montagu → Greyton: 134 km

Stage 4 – Greyton → Greyton: 84 km

Stage 5 – Greyton → Stellenbosch: 128 km

Stage 6 – Stellenbosch → Stellenbosch: 76 km

Stage 7 – Stellenbosch → Stellenbosch: 58 km