Cape Epic queens: Hoedspruit’s Sanders and Haw dominate

HOEDSPRUIT – Hoedspruit’s Samantha Sanders and teammate Bianca Haw of the SANI2C Efficient Infiniti team claimed the Absa African Women’s Jersey at the prestigious 2026 Cape Epic mountain biking (MTB) race.

Hoedspruit duo takes on the Epic

Across eight punishing days covering 692km and 15 900m of climbing, the duo not only dominated the African field but also held their own against the world’s top MTB talent.

The Epic, held from March 15–22, tested riders with a mix of rocky climbs, technical singletrack, and rolling vineyards across the Western Cape.

The race began with a prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, before moving through stages in Montagu and Greyton, and finishing in Stellenbosch.

Each stage presented unique challenges, from long climbs to muddy trails, demanding tactical intelligence, endurance, and unwavering focus.

From the very first stages, Sanders and Haw displayed a combination of consistency and resilience.

By mid-week, the pair had established a commanding lead in the African Women’s category, balancing aggression with careful pacing to avoid unnecessary time losses.

Challenging trails and tactical triumphs

“Every stage tested us, but we trusted our preparation and each other. It wasn’t just about riding fast; it was about pacing ourselves, making smart decisions, and staying consistent.

“Wearing the Red African Jersey is a dream come true, and defending it every day was the proudest moment of my career,” Sanders said.

Stage 3, the 134km transition from Montagu to Greyton, proved a defining day.

The rolling hills, wet conditions, and muddy trails repeatedly dropped the pair from the lead group, which included multiple world champions.

Yet Sanders and Haw clawed their way back time and again, demonstrating their tactical acumen and mental toughness.

Stage 4, through the Greyton mountains, was shorter but relentless, with technical climbs and steep gradients testing every rider.

Sanders and Haw finished sixth on the day while holding the Red African Jersey, conserving energy and positioning themselves perfectly for the Queen Stage—the most demanding day of the race.

Queen Stage glory and African Jersey victory

The Queen Stage, 58km with 2 000m of climbing under rain and cold, pushed every athlete to their limit.

Despite the punishing conditions, Sanders and Haw navigated the trails with precision and composure, defending their African Jersey and finishing sixth overall in the Elite Women’s GC, a remarkable result against a world-class field.

Sanders and Haw crossed the finish line with a total time of 26:17:26.2, ahead of Ila Stow and Cherise Willet (+1:00:59.1) and Chloe Bishop and Nicolette Griffioen (+1:34:49.9).

Their performance not only earned them the African Jersey but also cemented their reputation as one of the continent’s top women’s MTB teams.