When it comes to stage races and MTB, there's no event more iconic and coveted than the Cape Epic. 8 grueling days of racing, up and down through the untouched wilderness and mountains of South Africa, with the world's best athletes ready to battle it out with no holds barred. The Wilier-Vittoria MTB Factory Team has, of course, never missed the world's most important off-road stage race and will be there again in 2025, from March 16th to 23rd.
Despite opting for a team entirely focused on cross-country this year, participation in the Cape Epic has never been in question, and so Simone Avondetto and Luca Braidot will embark on the South African challenge in an absolute first for them.
"When I was asked to race the Cape Epic with Luca, I was almost paralyzed," said Simone Avondetto. "I immediately wondered if I would be able to handle such a difficult challenge. Starting with the preparation, which I structured with Walter Costa, my athletic trainer, focusing more on the endurance aspect, given the type of race. I tried to balance this event with the first World Cup race. The fear of the first hours quickly turned into excitement. I don't know exactly what to expect and how my body will react to a race like this. How many competitions in the world put a rider to such a tough test? The Cape Epic is truly unique, in every way."
"The Cape Epic is, without a doubt, one of the most extreme challenges a mountain biker can face," added Luca Braidot. "When I signed with Wilier Vittoria, the proposal to race the South African stage race was an extra motivation for choosing my new team. Moreover, racing with a highly valued teammate like Simone gives me further motivation to push even harder. In some ways, it's a leap into the unknown, but the excitement is sky-high. The Cape Epic is a legend, a unique experience. It would have been a real shame not to have raced it at least once in my mountain biking career."
The Cape Epic will feature 605 km with 16,500 meters of elevation gain. It will start with a 26 km prologue and 750 meters of elevation gain at Meerendal Wine Estate, where athletes will first taste what awaits them in the following week. The next day, also starting and finishing at Meerendal Wine Estate, will be the first linear stage of 96 km and 2,750 meters of elevation gain. The second stage, however, represents a novelty, as team tactics will be put to the test with a 63 km time trial and 950 meters of elevation gain that will take them to Fairview, Paarl. The same location will host the third stage, 90 km long with 2,600 meters of elevation gain around Paarl Mountain, characterized by granite blocks that absorb heat and will force athletes into an early summer.
At the halfway point, the race will still be in Fairview, with another loop stage of 80 km and 1,950 meters of elevation gain. The fifth stage is what the organizers have defined as the Queen Stage, as it will go from Fairview to Lourensford Wine Estate after 98 km and 2,850 meters of elevation gain, where anyone with any ambitions for the overall standings will have to be ready. Lourensford Wine Estate will also be the headquarters for the last two stages. In the sixth stage, athletes will discover Helderberg Mountain, with an 88 km loop and 2,550 meters of elevation gain destined to further punish the riders' legs. Shorter, but still very intense, will be the last stage, which in 64 km includes 2,100 meters of elevation gain.
"This is my eighth Cape Epic as General Manager," explained Wilier Vittoria's General Manager, Marco Trentin. "In a race like this, every element needs to be in its place for everything to work. As much as the staff is up to the task and the riders are prepared for every eventuality, there's always something ready to surprise you. Nutrition will then play a fundamental role, a topic that for the Cape Epic we address specifically with NamedSport. Every phase is crucial, before, during and after the stage. Also from a technical point of view, we have developed, thanks to our long experience, some technical adjustments to cope with any eventuality. It will still be a new challenge: we are at the start with two riders who are making their debut as a pair and in such a complex race. Luca's experience will be fundamental for Simone and we will try to give them all the support they need."
ABSA CAPE EPIC 2025 - THE ROUTE
Prologue: Meerendal Wine Estate - Meerendal Wine Estate, 26 km and 750m of elevation gain Stage 1: Meerendal Wine Estate - Meerendal Wine Estate, 96 km and 2750m of elevation gain Stage 2: Meerendal Wine Estate - Fairview, Paarl, TT (Time Trial), 63 km and 950m of elevation gain Stage 3: Fairview, Paarl - Fairview, Paarl, 90 km and 2600m of elevation gain Stage 4: Fairview, Paarl - Fairview, Paarl, 80 km and 1950m of elevation gain Stage 5: Fairview, Paarl - Lourensford Wine Estate, 98 km and 2850m of elevation gain Stage 6: Lourensford Wine Estate - Lourensford Wine Estate, 88 km and 2550m of elevation gain Stage 7: Lourensford Wine Estate - Lourensford Wine Estate, 64 km and 2100m of elevation gain
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