This year went a little differently for Team Bike-Discount. Two weeks before the race, Björn had a serious training crash and broke his upper arm. That ruled out starting the race together with his partner Hans-Jürgen. Fortunately, our rider Niclas was able to step in on short notice, allowing the team to line up at the start after all. Hans-Jürgen traveled to South Africa about a week and a half before the race, while Niclas cut his training camp in Girona short and arrived on the Wednesday before the event.
Once on site, the bikes were prepped for the race: brake rotors and pads from Galfer were bedded in to get a feel for braking performance. The nutrition strategy was also finalized—this year with support from Amacx. We were also backed by our partner USWE, the event’s main sponsor, whose hydration pack proved its worth during the race. Amacx impressed with their Turbo Drink Mix and Turbo Chew Bars, which were especially convenient to consume. Thanks to the hydration pack with an insulated reservoir, the riders always had access to cool fluids.
This year’s race covered a total of 567 kilometers and 15,300 meters of elevation gain. It kicked off at Meerendal Wine Estate with a prologue: 26 kilometers and 750 vertical meters—a course Hans-Jürgen and Niclas already knew from 2023. That gave them the confidence to go with the Schwalbe Racing Ralph XC tires in 2.4-inch width. Hans-Jürgen paced himself well during the prologue, with Niclas offering key support on the climbs. The result: a strong 11th place in the Open Men category.
Contents
Stage 1: A Real First Test
The first stage was a serious challenge right out of the gate: 92 kilometers and 2,750 meters of climbing. On the long ascents and in the technical descents, the importance of a dialed-in setup became clear. The team relied on the Scott Spark, which delivered consistent performance and a well-balanced ride feel throughout the day.
Stage 2: Time Trial – A New Challenge
Day three of the race brought a first for the Cape Epic: a time trial over 66 kilometers and 950 meters of climbing. With Niclas being the stronger rider on flatter terrain, he took the lead to give Hans-Jürgen as much draft as possible on this fast stage. The pacing strategy was managed using the Garmin 1050, which also provided regular reminders to hydrate and eat—essential to maintain consistent performance.
Stage 3: The Toughest Day of the Race
Stage three was considered one of the toughest of the entire event: 78 kilometers and 2,450 meters of elevation. On paper, not extreme—but with temperatures climbing over 40°C (104°F), dusty trails, and high technical demands, it became brutally hard. Constant hydration was critical to keep up with the effort under these extreme conditions. The team put in a strong performance and secured 2nd place—its best stage result—and temporarily moved into 3rd overall in the standings.
Stage 4: Recovery After the Heat Battle
At 80 kilometers and 1,950 meters of climbing, stage four was slightly less demanding, but many riders were still feeling the effects of the previous day. The route was much more flowy, with fewer trails, but the ongoing dry conditions created very dusty descents with limited visibility. Full concentration was required—especially on loose terrain.
Stage 5: The Queen Stage
Stage five was the longest and most demanding of the race: 98 kilometers and 2,850 meters of climbing. Temperatures had dropped slightly, but the many long climbs required full focus and efficient pacing. The most memorable feature was the final climb, known as “The Neck”—a roughly three-kilometer, extremely steep section made slippery by recent rain. A finely tuned gear setup proved crucial here, especially to keep traction on ramps exceeding a 20% grade.
Stage 6: Rain Battle in Lourensford
Stage six felt like déjà vu from 2023: starting in Lourensford, once again in the rain. The 87-kilometer course with 2,550 meters of elevation was a challenge not only physically but technically. Soaked trails, deep mud, and poor visibility pushed the riders to their limits. In conditions like these, a reliable suspension setup that performs precisely and resists mud and moisture made a big difference.
Stage 7: A Shortened but Intense Finale
Due to continued rainfall, the seventh and final stage was shortened to 40 kilometers and 1,050 meters of climbing. Many of the originally planned trails had to be cut, making the final day less technical—but still tricky: slippery climbs, wet rocks, and soft ground demanded total focus to the very end. Despite the difficult conditions, Hans-Jürgen and Niclas delivered a consistent performance and wrapped up the race with a strong 5th place in the Open Men category.
