Link to Watch Live the Cape Epic 2023 Grand Final

From March 19th to 26th, South Africa will be the center of attention of the mountain bike world with the celebration of the Absa Cape Epic 2023. Considered as the Tour de France of MTB, the Cape Epic will be one more year the best XCM stage race of the season and its list of favorites leaves no doubt. Here is a quick guide with dates, times and links to watch it live online for free.

Absa Cape Epic 2023: dates, times and direct link to watch live online

• Pre-race show - March 18, 2023 - From 10:00 to 12:00
• Prologue - March 19, 2023 - From 09:00 to 13:30 - WATCH HERE
• Stage 1 - March 20, 2023 - From 07:30 to 11:30 - WATCH HERE
• Stage 2 - March 21, 2023 - From 07:30 to 12:00 - WATCH HERE
• Stage 3 - March 22, 2023 - From 07:30 to 12:00 - WATCH HERE
• Stage 4 - March 23, 2023 - From 06:30 to 10:00 - WATCH HERE
• Stage 5 - March 24, 2023 - From 07:30 to 11:30 - WATCH HERE
• Stage 6 - March 25, 2023 -  From 07:30 to 10:30 - WATCH HERE
• Grand Finale - March 26, 2023 - From 07:30 to 10:30 a.m. - WATCH HERE

How to watch the Absa Cape Epic 2023

As every year, all the stages can be followed live and free of charge on the YouTube channel or the Epic Series Facebook page.

In any case, every day here we will be updating the links to follow the stage of each day. The Absa Cape Epic is one of the best in mountain bike racing and every year we get spectacular images of the best mountain bikers on the endless South African trails.

Favorites to win the Cape Epic 2023

There are still more than 10 days left for the race and we will surely discover new names that could be fighting for the top positions, but for the moment the organization has selected the first 6 male couples as those we should follow to discover the podium riders.

Orbea X Leatt X S.C - Geor Egger (GER)/Lukas Baum (GER)

In 2022 this German pair debuted at the Cape Epic with an epic victory on the last stage. There is no doubt that in 2023 they will start as favorites and with the number 1 bib on their new Orbea Oiz.

Canyon Northwave - Andreas Seewald (GER)/Martin Stosek (CZ)

The German and the Czech are one of the strongest pairs in stage races and nearly took the victory in 2022.

SCOTT SRAM MTB Racing - Nino Schurter (SUI)/Andri Frischknecht (SUI)

There is no doubt that this will be the pair that will attract the most media and public attention. It features the greatest MTB rider of all time, Nino Schurter, and he already knows what it's like to win this race twice. There are many doubts about whether the Schurter-Frischknecht combination will work but it is impossible to leave them out of any podium prediction.

BH Coloma - David Valero (ESP)/Pablo Rodriguez (ESP) 

The Spanish David Valero arrives at the Cape Epic as number 1 in the UCI ranking and with the experience of having participated in this race on a previous occasion, along with his teammate Pablo Rodriguez could be the perfect combination to see them climb to the top in a stage and fight for the overall.

Singer Racing - Simon Stiebjahn (GER)/Martin Frey (GER)

In 2021, this German pair came second in the Cape Epic and took a stage win, in 2023 they return to South Africa to try again to get on the podium.

Wilier Pirelli - Fabian Rabensteiner (ITA)/ Wout Alleman (BEL)

This pair has just won the Andalucía Bike Race, they know what it's like to win stages in the Cape Epic and are favorites in any stage race they start.

Favorites to win the Absa Cape Epic 2023

In the absence of the final confirmation and the definitive start list, let's take a look at 6 of the couples with more options to get on the final podium.

NinetyOne-Songo-Specializad - Sofía Gomez (ARG)/Katerina Nash (CZ)

Argentinean Sofia Gomez made her debut with a victory at Cape Epic 2022 and for this edition she will team up with the experienced Katerina Nash. For the Czech rider it could mean the return to the podium of a big race after her victories and podiums achieved a few years ago in the XCO World Cup.

Cannondale Vas Arabay - Greete Steinburg (EE)/Monica Calderon (COL)

The new Spanish formation of Cannondale Vas Arabay goes to the Cape Epic with a pair that is new to the race but very balanced. It could be the surprise of this year.

#Sheuntamed - Sarah Hill (ZAF)/Elria Harmzen-Pretorius (ZAF)

Valley Electrical - Tifany Keep (ZAF)/Haley Preen(ZAF)

e-Forty Symbtech - Amy Wakefield (ZAF)/Irina Lutzelschwab

Efficent Infiniti Insure - Kim le Court(MU)/Vera Looser (NA

This article will be updated in the next few days with links to watch the race live as well as possible changes among the favorites for the victory.