Local riders delivered standout performances at the 2026 ABSA Cape Epic, one of the world’s toughest mountain bike races.

The eight-day event, held from March 15-22, saw competitors cover 603km of Western Cape terrain, climbing a gruelling 16 500m from Meerendal to Stellenbosch.

In the elite women’s category, Sheffield’s Sanchia Malan and Austrian partner Claudia Krenn finished 13th (28:44:22) in their first Epic together. Their race was hampered early by three punctures in the opening stage, but they recovered well to move up the field.

“We rode consistently every day to stay competitive,” said Malan.

Ballito’s Rouxda Grobler once again shone on the Epic stage, claiming her second consecutive gold medal, this time in the women’s master’s category. Riding with Juanita Mackenzie, the pair finished in 40:24:37, taking control of the race midway after trailing the early leaders.

“The masters’ riders are experienced and the field was fierce, but we put pressure on them and fought all the way to the end for the blue jersey,” said Rouxda.

In the mixed division, DriveTrain Academy’s Ty White and his wife Jo-Anne Rogers-White placed 20th, with White describing it as the toughest of his five Epics.

“It was really special to experience it with my wife. I’m proud of her for digging deep and finishing such a tough edition.”

DriveTrain ProAm riders Leon Klopper and Daniel van der Watt secured 25th in the men’s open race, while Jacques Grobler and Tony Lindsay finished 27th in the men’s master’s category.

“It was probably the toughest Epic I have done,” said Grobler, crediting their finish to the training done with coach Ty White.

In the grand master’s division, Joel Stransky and Geoffrey Lee placed 12th, improving on their 2025 performance.

Other local finishers included Werner van Straaten and Darryl Irvine, Hayden Quin and Gerhard Botha, and individual rider Matthew Elliot.

For a full list of results visit epic-series.com/capeepic.