The Absa Cape Epic 2025 presents its new route

From March 13 to 23, 2025, the next edition of the most important stage race in mountain biking, the Absa Cape Epic, will be held with a new route that has just been announced.

Absa Cape Epic 2025 presents its new route

New stages, a new host location, and over 300 kilometers of trails never before used in a race. This is how the Absa Cape Epic 2025 has just presented a new route that will include an innovative time trial among other features.

• March 16-23, 2025
• 608 kilometers
• 16,500 meters of elevation gain
• A large part of the route will be new

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From the Prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate to the finish line of the Grand Final at Lourensford Wine Estate, the route of the Absa Cape Epic 2025 has been designed to remain the best mountain bike stage race in the world. A route elaborated for months to challenge, reward, and create unforgettable moments.

The total route will add up to 608 kilometers with 16,500 meters of positive elevation gain and will pass through Durbanville, Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Somerset West. It starts with a prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate full of steep climbs and flowing trails leading to the central episodes of the race.

Stage 1 will start and finish at Meerendal after a 96-kilometer route through the vineyards of Durbanville and the best trails of Tygerberg. It will be the first major test and a stage where the favorites will be revealed.

The next day will bring an early time trial from Meerendal to Fairview in Paarl, which could lead to losses and gains of all kinds for the top riders in the general classification.

Paarl will host two new stages full of trails never before seen in this race. "The Drakenstein municipality has always been welcoming, and for next year we have designed a route that not only passes through there, but really showcases it," explained route director Hendrico Burger.

The Queen Stage on Friday will go from Fairview to Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West. Its 103 km with 3,050 meters of elevation are ready to make a difference.

Stage 6 will combine some legendary sections of Lourensford with its immense natural beauty, and it will certainly not be a rest day.

The Grand Final will take place around the Helderberg Dome, and the stage is set to be an exceptional setting where the winners can write their names in the history of this event.