Cape Town, 15 September 2023 - Absa, a leading financial services provider in Africa, is pleased to announce the extension of its title sponsorship of the Absa Cape Epic, the world's premier mountain-bike stage race. The extension solidifies Absa's long-standing position as the primary sponsor of the iconic event, which has come to be known as one of the world's toughest mountain-bike races.
The agreement was signed by Absa Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer, Sydney Nhlanhla Mbhele, and Senior Vice President & Managing Director EMEA at The IRONMAN Group,...
The 2024 Absa Cape Epic
613km | 16850m Climbing
The 2024 Absa Cape Epic. The twentieth edition. And a route filled with untamed challenges. One that features 16 650 metres of climbing. Packed into 616 kilometres of racing. At a rate of 27 metres of elevation gain per kilometre. From the Prologue, in Lourensford, to the Grand Finale, in Stellenbosch, every stage is designed to test teams to the limit. Questioning if they are prepared for the opportunities ahead. If they can brave the untamed. And conquer as one.
This is the 2024 Absa Cape Epic route, presented by Toyota. Are...
#SheUntamed
15 January 2024: As the 2024 Absa Cape Epic gains momentum, Absa is intensifying its efforts to promote women's participation in the renowned mountain bike race through its enduring #SheUntamed initiative.
Launched in 2019, #SheUntamed reflects Absa's unwavering commitment to empower and support women, fostering inclusivity and breaking down barriers within the cycling realm.
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic Absa Cape Epic, and in celebration of this milestone, Absa is taking the #SheUntamed initiative to new heights. The bank is setting a bold goal to...
Darkfest is officially a go for 2024.
Taking place from the 3rd - 10th of February 2024, with Sam Reynolds and the Darkfest team preparing the mammoth course for a big week of sends with some of the best riders in the world pushing progression to the limits.
Darkfest is an assemblage of invited riders from countries worldwide and South Africa, who send a series of enormous jumps and perform extremely high-risk tricks that are sensational to watch. Dedication, skill, inventiveness and fearlessness are what make up the event.
Due to strong interest from MTB and action sports fans - a...
Absa is thrilled to announce its title sponsorship of the African Icons Invitational, an annual cycling charity event set to take place from 22 to 25 February 2024, amid the captivating scenery of the Drakensberg.
This partnership follows Absa's donations and support to the charity over the past two years, solidifying its commitment to supporting African Icons' mission to make a positive impact on South African police families who have lost their breadwinners in the line of duty.
African Icons comprises a three-stage mountain bike ride event set in the scenic Drakensberg, forming part of...
Alex Miller (left) sprays Matt Beers (right) with MCC as the Toyota Specialized team celebrate their Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, victory. Photo by Oakpics.com.
Toyota Specialized win the 2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen
Toyota Specialized rolled across the lawns of Kaleo Guest Farm to claim the team’s second successive Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, victory on Sunday, 11 February. Matt Beers backed up his 2023 winning effort, by securing three stage victories en route to the 2024 title, alongside new...
Congratulations to the Absa #SheUntaimed riders for conquering the 2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek
South Africa, 12 February 2024: We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to our Absa #SheUntaimed riders for their outstanding performance during the gruelling four-day stage race at the 2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek. The Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, renowned for its challenging terrain and rigorous stages, proved to be the ultimate test of skill, endurance and determination for the formidable 20for20 team.
Following the resounding success...
Polkadraai Farm Launches The Biggest Family-Friendly Bike Park In The Western Cape
The popular Polkadraai Farm, traditionally associated with strawberry picking and other fun activities, has expanded its entertainment offering with the launch of the biggest and most comprehensive family-friendly bike park in the Western Cape.
Spanning an area of 3.5 hectares, the Polkadraai Bike Park caters for riders of all ages and abilities – offering skills and flow trails as well as jump lines and a comprehensive technical zone that caters for all riders from beginners to professionals.
According to...
Absa, the title sponsor of the Absa African Icons Invitational, is pleased to announce that it has raised R891 000 following the success of the event, which took place from 22 to 25 February 2024. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Drakensberg, the Invitational brought together cycling enthusiasts, community leaders and philanthropists in a shared commitment to support meaningful causes. The event served as a platform to showcase resilience, community spirit and hope.
The funds raised through the event will be directed towards the Widows and Orphans Fund (WOF) and the South...
Absa's Chain Reaction series to share behind-the-scenes, real-life stories of the #SheUntamed teams
Johannesburg, 15 March 2024 – Absa is proud to announce the premiere of Chain Reaction, a captivating four-part docuseries highlighting the inspiring stories of the 20 all-women #SheUntamed teams participating in the 20th Absa Cape Epic. The #SheUntamed initiative underscores diversity and inclusion in cycling, focusing on uplifting women within the sport of mountain biking.
Set against the backdrop of the Absa cycling calendar and specifically the Absa Cape Epic, Chain Reaction seeks...
Absa's Chain Reaction series to share behind-the-scenes, real-life stories of the #SheUntamed teams
Johannesburg, 15 March 2024 – Absa is proud to announce the premiere of Chain Reaction, a captivating four-part docuseries highlighting the inspiring stories of the 20 all-women #SheUntamed teams participating in the 20th Absa Cape Epic. The #SheUntamed initiative underscores diversity and inclusion in cycling, focusing on uplifting women within the sport of mountain biking.
Set against the backdrop of the Absa cycling calendar and specifically the Absa Cape Epic, Chain Reaction seeks...
World Bicycle Relief & Ghost Factory Racing set Absa Cape Epic alight at scorching Prologue
World Bicycle Relief and Ghost Factory Racing claimed the UCI Men’s and Aramex Women’s categories respectively at today’s Prologue in Somerset West.
World Bicycle Relief (Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini) and Ghost Factory Racing (Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller) claimed the UCI Men’s and Aramex Women’s categories respectively at today’s Absa Cape Epic Prologue in Somerset West.
Starting, taking place within the confines and finishing at Lourensford Wine Estate,...
BUFF-MEGAMO and GHOST Factory Racing sprint to victory on Stage 1 of 2024 Absa Cape Epic
Hans Becking and Wout Alleman (BUFF-MEGAMO) won Stage 1 in the men’s elite race at the 2024 Absa Cape Epic, while Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller (GHOST Factory Racing) were Stage 1 winners in the Aramex Women’s category at Saronsberg Cellar in Tulbagh. Both the men’s and the women’s races concluded with thrilling sprint finishes after a fair amount of cat and mouse in the closing kilometres.
Becking and Alleman, Low Country riders from the Netherlands and Belgium...
The Valley Of Dust - Tulbagh serves challenges for Stage 1
Stage 1 out of Saronsberg Wine Estate around Tulbagh over 88km with a brutal 2450m of climbing was not short on drama. The stage featured four major climbs with Raptor Rise setting a tone of sweeping switchbacks through fynbos, continued by Boegoe and the Kliprivier Trails and finally Fanti’s Pass, the final two kilometres of which average a 14% gradient and peak at over 20%.
Stage 1 out of Saronsberg Wine Estate around Tulbagh over 88km with a brutal 2450m of climbing was no short on drama. The stage featured four...
Doctor: "You and I are on a long journey together..."
At the outset of the Franschhoek 500, as cyclists traversed the majestic Front Yard Pass, thoughts danced in the minds of riders. These events, spanning hours—sometimes days—set the stage for tales of resilience to unfold, showcasing the fortitude of those who dare to pedal these untamed paths.
Meet Georgina: a wife, a mother of two teenage girls, and a valiant adventurer. Her journey took an unexpected turn in July when she received a stage 1 spinal cancer diagnosis. 'Your life suddenly changes in a moment… it really was a single...
Back-to-back Stage wins for BUFF - MEGAMO; hattrick of stages for GHOST Factory Racing at Absa Cape Epic Stage 2
Hans Becking, on his birthday, and Wout Alleman (BUFF - MEGAMO) roared to a second successive stage win on Stage 2 of the Absa Cape Epic in Tulbagh. At the same time, Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller (GHOST Factory Racing) claimed a hattrick of stage victories in the Aramex Women’s Category on the 97km stage that started and finished at Saronsberg Cellar.
BUFF - MEGAMO, after a commanding Stage 2 performance, also moved into the overall lead in the Absa Cape Epic General...
Andreas Seewald & Marc Stutzmann Storm to Stage 3 Victory, GHOST Factory Racing make it four from four in Aramex Women’s Category
Canyon SIDI’s Andreas Seewald and Marc Stutzmann rode hard and fast to claim Stage 3 of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic in a sweltering Wellington, while Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller (GHOST Factory Racing) won their fourth stage in as many days to cement their place at the top of the Aramex Women’s Category general classification. With four days of racing to come, it looks like a special effort will be required from the chasers in the Women’s Category to unseat...
Sprint finish marks men’s and women’s races on Stage 4 of Absa Cape Epic
The top three teams in both the men’s and women’s races on Stage 4 of the Absa Cape Epic could only be separated in the final metres of the 73km race.
Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini (World Bicycle Relief) won the stage in the Men’s Category in a sprint finish, as did Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller (GHOST Factory Racing) in the Aramex Women’s Category.
World Bicycle Relief pipped Matt Beers and Howard Grotts (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) to the line, while in the Aramex Women’s Category on Stage 4...
Beers and Grotts power to Stage 5 win; Terpstra and Koller unstoppable in Aramex Women’s Category
Matt Beers and Howard Grotts (Toyota-Specialized-NinetyOne) romped to their first stage win of the 2024 Absa Cape Epic when they pulled away from Andreas Seewald and Marc Stutzmann (Canyon SIDI) in the closing kilometres of the 70km Stage 5 in Wellington.
The Aramex Women’s Category was business as usual with Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller (GHOST Factory Racing) cruising home on Stage 5 to claim their sixth successive stage win (five stages plus the Prologue last Sunday).
With two...
