To celebrate Stellenbosch winning the prestigious riders’ choice, best Host Town, a number of key role players from the municipality, Absa Cape Epic management, and local mountain biking stake holders gathered at Niel Ellis Wines on a warm winter’s afternoon. Overlooking the Simonsberg, where Matt Beers and Howard Grotts cemented their title with a powerful ride on the penultimate day of the 2024 race, the dignitaries were reminded why Stellenbosch is so often described as a mountain biking Mecca. 

“It’s an honour for us to bring the Absa Cape Epic route to Stellenbosch,” Race Director Karen Clements praised. “The trails are world class and the town is famous as a cycling destination, not just for mountain bikers but for triathletes and road riders too. The world’s best cyclists come here to train because the town is so geared towards cycling, and that really makes it easy to host an event of the size of the Absa Cape Epic here too. Stellenbosch Municipality, Stellenbosch University, the land owners and the business owners pull together to make the town a bicycle friendly destination, and it shows year-round not just when the race visits. That hard work is recognised by the locals and visitors alike. The 2024 Absa Cape Epic riders certainly noticed and appreciated the bicycle friendly nature of Stellenbosch and this award is a mark of their collective appreciation.” 

The floating trophy, which has been awarded every year since the race’s inaugural edition in 2004, will now reside with the Stellenbosch Municipal Manager, Geraldine Mettler, for the next 12 months. Ms Mettler could not attend the presentation, but Gary Boshoff, head of Stellenbosch Municipality’s Community and Protection Services was there to receive the trophy on behalf of the town. “It’s an honour to receive this trophy,” he noted. “It would not be possible to stage a world class event like the Absa Cape Epic in Stellenbosch without the cooperation of virtually every department within the municipality. I know both the political and municipal leaders of Stellenbosch will be honoured by the recognition bestowed upon the town by the mountain bikers, and will continue to work to make the town a safer and friendly destination for cyclists.”