Sofia Gomez Villafane, the winner of the 2022 Absa Cape Epic, is back in 2025 racing hard at the front of the Aramex UCI Women’s Category with five-time champion Annika Langvad.
So far the Toyota | Specialized team has won every stage of this year’s event, surviving the heat, the dust and a few tumbles for Langvad. They currently lead the general classification by 22 minutes over second-placed Vera Looser and Alexis Skarda (Efficient Infiniti SCB SRAM).
But perhaps more impressive than their dominance on the bike at this year’s event has been Gomez Villafane’s commitment to style on each stage.
Every day, the current race leader selects a new pair of earrings based on her mood in the morning or on how she hopes to tackle the day's riding. So far, bananas, daggers, cookies and cream, and a pair in the shape of some choice language have made an appearance at the Absa Cape Epic.
“I have a few options,” admits Gomez Villafane. “Some are cookies and cream, bananas and knives, while others are words that people haven’t seen yet!!”
For Gomez Villafane, the earrings are a way to keep things light and fun during the racing, but also to remind fans that behind the dust and dirt, female mountain bikers are actually quite glamorous.
“We are always sweating, getting dirty and not really looking the prettiest, so it’s a nice way to add some femininity and to inject some fun to the racing. I make my selection based on how I am feeling and what I have envisaged for the stage - so any time anyone sees me wearing the knives, they should definitely buckle up!”
The race-themed earrings were sparked by a gift from Gomez Villafane’s fiancé Keegan Swenson, who is also at this year’s Absa Cape Epic, racing with Matt Beers (Outride | Toyota | Songo).
“I have always been into fun earrings; I have some mountains and little dog earrings but then Keegan got me a cool pair that I really liked - which I haven’t worn yet - so I went onto the website and ordered a whole bunch more. I think they are super creative and it’s a cool way for me to have some fun. In fact, I am debating getting a second hole in each ear so I can wear more earrings!
If results at this year’s race keep going Gomez Villafane’s way, then her next pair might very well be two little champagne bottles to celebrate an emphatic performance.