1 500 riders registered to take part in the 2025 Absa Cape Epic, in Meerendal, on Saturday, 15 March. Nervous energy was palpable in the race village as months of preparation were finally about to be put to the test.

The UCI Men and Women will be rewarded with a 27% increase in their total prize purse for the 2025 Absa Cape Epic. This amounts to a R900 000 boost, with a 100% in the daily stage prizes and hot spot awards for the King and Queen of the Mountain on 4 of the 8 stages. 

Hans Becking, who wore the yellow jersey for 3 days in the 2024 race, has announced his withdrawal from the 2025 Absa Cape Epic. The multiple time marathon champion of the Netherlands is a 5-time stage winner and was among the favourites for the 21st edition alongside his Belgian, Buff Megamo, teammate Wout Alleman. Becking announced his withdrawal via Instagram (@hansbecking) on Wednesday, 19 February. 

Watch his announcement video here.

Having struggled with illness during the vital months of pre-season training – after a successful trip to South Africa to complete his Epic Series medal haul, at Wines2Whales, in November – very little has gone right for Becking in 2025. “The fear that I had lately has become a really hard reality at the moment,” a visibly emotional Becking confessed to his 40 thousand Instagram followers. “After last week, trying really hard, pushing really hard the pedals, going to South Africa, racing a bit and opening the engine I had to make a really difficult decision and step back. Cycling isn’t only about pushing the really hard numbers, about the watts, and going and going and going. It’s sometimes about when to shift, when you have to go to the front, and when to lead. But also, you always have to keep an eye on the bigger picture. And not only go for short term goals, and let the ego ruin things for you. It’s important to know when to step back.”

In 2024 Biance Bekker was one of just four people to complete every Epic Series race. The South African was joined on stage by her stage race partner, Daniel Tenner, and the Buff Megamo Epic Legends Hans Becking and Wout Alleman at FNB Wines2Whales to be honoured for that remarkable achievement. Having ridden the Absa Cape Epic, 4Islands Epic Croatia, Andorra Epic Pyrenees, SPAR Swiss Epic, and all three FNB Wines2Whales races Bekker is in a unique position to speak to the challenges and highlights of each event.