The 2026 Absa Cape Epic unfolded as a testament to resilience and strategy, with standout performances in both the men’s and women’s categories.<\/p>\n
Women’s Category: Lill and Keller’s Dominance<\/strong><\/p>\n South African Candice Lill and Swiss rider Alessandra Keller, teammates for Th\u00f6mus Maxon Sabi Sabi, clinched the women’s title with remarkable consistency. Their partnership, marked by four stage victories, showcased their dominance from start to finish. Notably, Lill, who had previously secured five second-place finishes between 2019 and 2024, finally ascended to the top podium spot. Their closest competitors, Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald, faced challenges, including illness, which led to their withdrawal from the race. This allowed Hayley Preen and Haley Smith to secure second place, finishing over fifty minutes behind the victors. Italian duo Katazina Sosna and Giorgia Marchet rounded out the podium in third. French rider Margot Moschetti, alongside Italian Claudia Peretti, delivered an impressive performance, finishing fourth overall.<\/p>\n Men’s Category: Beers and Nortje’s Strategic Triumph<\/strong><\/p>\n In the men’s race, the Italian duo Simone Avondetto and Luca Braidot of Wilier Vittoria appeared poised for victory after a strong mid-week performance and a win in the queen stage. However, South African team Toyota-Specialized-Imbuko’s Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje mounted a formidable challenge. Over the final two stages, they systematically reduced the Italians’ lead, culminating in a decisive victory in the last stage. This effort secured them the overall title by just over a minute. Avondetto and Braidot, despite their earlier dominance, had to settle for second place. Canyon’s Sam Gaze and Luca Schwarzbauer delivered a commendable performance, clinching third place with two stage wins. Belgian duo Wout Alleman and Martin Stosek of Buff-BH finished fifth, just behind David Valero and Marc Stutzman. French rider Mathis Azzaro, competing in his first South African event, finished 11th with teammate Juri Zanotti, while Belgian pair Kevin Panhuyzen and Frans Claes followed closely behind.<\/p>\n The 2026 Absa Cape Epic not only highlighted the physical endurance of its participants but also underscored the strategic acumen required to navigate its challenging terrain. The event’s unpredictable nature ensured that only the most adaptable and resilient teams emerged victorious.<\/p>\n For a visual recap of the event’s grand finale, you can watch the following video:<\/p>\n 2026 Cape Epic Grand Finale Results | Epic Wins, Close Calls, and Unbeaten Records!<\/a><\/p>\n