Qualification

Absa Cape Epic | 15-22 March 2026

Held over 8 days in March every year, attracting the world’s top mountain bikers, the Absa Cape Epic covers 700km and climbs 16000m in South Africa’s Western Cape. It’s known as “The Tour de France of mountain biking” and every year, the early bird entries sell out faster than you can say ‘Indwa’ (the Zulu name for South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane).

As an entrant into the Epic Series Qualifier events, you have the unique possibility of guaranteeing a team entry for yourself and your partner.

14 team entries for the 2025 Absa Cape Epic have been set aside exclusively for amateur teams who race the 4Islands Epic. One for each category for the male and female winners (9), and 5 from a draw allocation.

How to Qualify

Qualification slots to the Absa Cape Epic are offered via performance and a draw allocation at all Epic Series Qualifier events. Riders eager to qualify for the Absa Cape Epic can register their interest during the online registration process for an Epic Series Qualifier event.

A nominal fee applies and the proceeds are donated to one of the official Absa Cape Epic Charity Partners.

PERFORMANCE

Earn your place by finishing amongst the top teams in your category.

Performance Entries are allocated per team.
It is sufficient if one rider in a team registered his/her interest. However, we recommend that both riders register their interest to increase their chances in the draw should the team not qualify by performance.
At least one team member must be present at the final awards ceremony (refer to event program).
Should a team decide not to take up their entry or not be present at the final awards ceremony, the entry will pass on to the next highest ranked team who registered their interest.
The team entry fee for the Absa Cape Epic is announced in February each year for the following year.
A non-refundable deposit of USD 100 per guaranteed entry must be made to secure the entry. This deposit will be deducted from the entry fee.
Teams are required to complete the online registration process and pay the full entry fee within 4 weeks of receiving their entry invitation to the Absa Cape Epic they are participating in.

Draw Allocation

All riders who register their interest stand a chance to be selected.

Draw Entries are allocated per individual.
Riders must have registered their interest.
Only official finishers of the race are eligible for the draw. The individual drawn is free to choose any partner, i.e. it is not necessary that his/her partner participated in the event.
Draw winners must be present at the final awards ceremony unless otherwise communicated by the event (refer to event program).
Should a rider decide not to take up their entry or not be present at the final awards ceremony, the entry will be redrawn.
The team entry fee for the Absa Cape Epic is announced in February each year for the following year.
A non-refundable deposit of USD 100 per guaranteed entry must be made to secure the entry. This deposit will be deducted from the entry fee.
Teams are required to complete the online registration process and pay the full entry fee within 4 weeks of receiving their entry invitation to the Absa Cape Epic they are participating in.

Terms and Conditions

All entries, regardless of allocation criteria, are for the Absa Cape Epic year as stipulated. Transfers to another year can be requested but are strictly subject to availability. Once the entry fee payment has been received, the standard Absa Cape Epic cancellation and withdrawal policy applies.

	Total Guaranteed Entries	Performance Allocation	Draw Allocation	Absa Cape Epic Year
4Islands Epic	14	9	5	The following year
Andorra Epic	14	9	5	The following year
SPAR Swiss Epic	14	9	5	The following year