David Valero confirms his participation in the Cape Epic 2026, teaming up with Marc Stutzmann

The Klimatiza Orbea Team has confirmed its lineup for the Absa Cape Epic 2026, clearing up one of the major uncertainties in the international XCM calendar: David Valero will be at the starting line forming a pair with Marc Stutzmann, the same duo that just a few days ago conquered the overall title of the Andalucía Bike Race.

Valero will face the Cape Epic in top form after a brilliant start to the season

The South African event, which will take place from March 15 to 22 and is considered the Tour de France of MTB, will once again bring together the best pairs in the world for eight days of competition that combine long distances, heat, technical terrain, and accumulated demands that are often decided by minimal details.

Valero arrives at the Cape Epic after a particularly solid start to the season. The Granadian has secured victory in the Mediterranean Epic, won the overall title of the Andalucía Bike Race alongside Stutzmann, and achieved a third place in the first round of the XCM World Cup, confirming his excellent form.

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The combination with Stutzmann has clicked from the very beginning. The Swiss rider brings experience in stage races, tactical reading ability, and competence in technical terrains, qualities that were already decisive in Andalucía. Valero, for his part, adds consistency, international experience, and the ability to make a difference on physically demanding days, an ideal profile for a race like the Epic, where managing effort is as important as making timely attacks.

On paper, the duo stands out as one of the strongest in the peloton with real options to fight for the podium in the overall standings, especially if they maintain the level shown at the start of 2026.

The Klimatiza Orbea Team will not only rely on Valero and Stutzmann. The second pair will consist of Samuele Porro and Luis Martínez.

Porro achieved a notable fourth place in the Cape Epic last year, demonstrating that he is a specialist in this format, while Martínez will face his second participation after achieving a Top 10 in 2025. The combination of experience and youth strengthens the team's structure, which aims to have a constant presence at the top of the standings.

The Cape Epic is considered the most demanding stage race on the international MTB calendar. Eight days of competition, extreme accumulated elevation, and terrain that punishes both mechanics and endurance turn each edition into a true test of survival.

With Valero and Stutzmann as the spearhead, the Klimatiza Orbea Team presents a clear candidacy for the top positions in the overall standings and aims to be a protagonist in every stage. Following their recent success in Andalucía, the pair arrives with confidence, joint experience, and the ambition to transfer that performance to the most prestigious stage of MTB.