It’s rough. It’s tough. It’s the Untamed African MTB Race. And this week, the Absa Cape Epic has lived up to its billing as one of the world’s toughest endurance events. Riders have endured extreme African heat, wind and rough riding terrain and now, as the race draws to a close, the rain has arrived. Everything that can be thrown at the 2025 participants is being thrown at them. Yet incredibly, everyone is still having fun. With two stages to go, some of the top riders share their 2025 race highlights so far.
Marco Joubert - Imbuko ChemChamp A
“Just the crowds and showcasing the Absa African Special Jersey out on the route. Being on the podium at the world’s hardest mountain bike stage race is also pretty special and we are racing hard to stay.”
Joubert said this before winning Stage 6. After Stage 6, he added. “I didn’t cry when I broke my collarbone but I am crying now. That’s how much this means to me and Tristan. I can’t describe the feeling right now.”
Marc Pritzen - Honeycomb 226ers
“I like suffering on the bike so that Paarl day in the heat was quite special. The heat, the dust, battling against everything made it a proper challenge so it was special to finish that stage. Getting third on the Prologue was also a great moment for me this week. Being on the podium at this event has been something I have dreamt about, so achieving it on the very first stage was a highlight.”
Tristan Nortje - Imbuko ChemChamp A
“All the support on route has been amazing this year. You hear it, you appreciate the fans shouting your name - that definitely gives you some extra encouragement. You are always digging deep but when you hear someone calling your name you just find that extra bit of energy.”
After Stage 6, Nortje added. “Winning this stage means everything. We tried all week to win and now we have done it. Today was a race of who could suffer the longest.”
Simone Avondetto - Wilier-Vittoria
“I think probably Stage 3 has been my favourite moment so far. A sprint finish is always nice and exciting - you never know who is going to win until the last minute, so that’s something that is also quite fun and special at a race like this. Especially if you are the team that wins the sprint!”
Vera Looser - Efficient Infiniti SCB SRAM
“There’s been so many, I can’t choose one. “It’s been such a good week. But I think what has been a highlight is waking up on Stage 6 and still feeling quite fresh! Normally by this stage, I have been tired or there have been stomach issues, but at the moment I feel great!”
Alexis Skarda - Efficient Infiniti SCB SRAM
“The highlight for me has been working with Vera this whole week. We have a really good partnership. It’s been smooth and we are having a lot of fun out there. We haven’t ridden together much but we work well through patience and awareness of each other.”
Bianca Haw - TitanRacing SE Honeycomb
“My highlight has been seeing the finish line each day! Jokes. The whole week has been cool.”
Hayley Preen - TitanRacing SE Honeycomb
“All the support on route and all the messages of support we’ve received this week have been incredible. It’s been amazing to hear our names being shouted out and then in the moment you get that extra kick of energy.”
Annika Langvad - Toyota | Specialized
“My highlight this week has been kicking ass! Haha. Stage 5 was a good day. It was brutal but it was a real highlight just to get through that stage and then to win it right at the end.”
Catch the LIVE action on YouTube from 08h00 and SuperSport 6 at 08h30 so that you don’t miss any of the Grand Finale action!