2019 ROUTE
Eight days / 624km / 16 650m climb
C A P E TOW N
From the iconic slopes of Table Mountain’s National Park
to the craggy shoreline of the Southern Coast. And on;
traversing the famous winelands and beyond into the high
mountains of the Western Cape. The 2019 Absa Cape Epic
route – proudly brought to you by Land Rover, our Offi cial
Vehicle and Route Partner – challenges, rewards and off ers
spectators the most revealing view of the Untamed African
MTB Race yet.
UNIVERSITY OF
C A P E TOW N
C A P E TOW N
UNIVERSITY OF
C A P E TOW N
P R O LO G U E
P R O LO G U E
Eight days, 624km and 16 650m of climbing – the bare
statistics tell less than half the story. Rugged mountain trails,
bone-jarring dual track, windswept gravel roads and yes,
sand, lie between the Prologue at the University of Cape
Town and the Grand Finale at Val de Vie Estate. This is a
refl ection of modern Africa, where urbanisation spreads to
the edge of the wilderness – riders will roll out of celebrated
towns, straight into the hinterland where heaven and Hades
are the opposite sides of the same coin.
624KM BREAKDOWN
Singletrack: 162km, 26% Farm road: 402km, 64%
District road: 14.1km, 2% Tar road: 42km, 7%
MESSAGE FROM THE UCI PRESIDENT
The Absa Cape Epic is an event of truly
tremendous proportions. Everything about this
mountain bike stage race impresses – 1 300 riders
will cover 624km over eight days with 16 650m
of climbing. The 2019 edition will be particularly
tough, featuring more metres of climbing per
kilometre than any other previous Absa Cape
Epic. Just as impressive as the race statistics
are the behind-the-scenes logistics with the
competitors accommodated in a vast tented village, complete with
catering, medical services, physiotherapy, bike washing, lounge
areas and entertainment. The organisational eff ort involved is
a testament to the supreme skills of the Organising Committee
and the support of the sponsors, partners, volunteers and local
authorities. The Absa Cape Epic will live long in the memories of
those who take part, from the top professionals to amateurs eager
to test themselves against the superstars of the discipline. All eyes
will turn to the University of Cape Town and the Absa Cape Epic
start line for the prologue on 17 March. I would like to wish
everyone involved in this superb event the very best of luck.
The Untamed A
PRO-
STAGE Afric
1
ST
The Untamed
LOGUE
DAVID LAPPARTIENT
UCI President
144 | MTB | The Untamed African MTB Race
Cape
Town Hermanus
Hermanus He
O
KM
21
DISTANCE 112
KM
DISTANCE 86
DIS
M
600
CLIMBING 2700
M
CLIMBING 22
CL