Our riders are back in South Africa for the Absa Cape Epic 2025, which kicks off today! This legendary mountain bike race takes place on rugged, untamed trails under extreme conditions, pushing both riders and their gear to the absolute limit. It’s the ultimate test of physical endurance and mental strength, as well as a proving ground for the durability of our bikes and equipment.
This year’s Absa Cape Epic 2025 covers an intense 603 km with a staggering 16,500 meters of climbing over eight grueling days. Riders will tackle over 300 km of never-before-used trails, adding an element of the unknown to the race. An innovative new time trial and demanding mid-race stages ensure an unpredictable and thrilling competition, pushing every rider, and their bikes, to their limits.
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The Bike-Discount Team
Hans-Jürgen Juretzek
In his younger years, Hans-Jürgen Juretzek was the German U23 Mountain Bike Champion. After a 12-year break from cycling, he made his comeback in 2018. He has successfully completed the Absa Cape Epic three times, with his last two finishes alongside our Head of Purchasing, Björn Glasner.
Niclas Ranker
Born in 1996, Niclas Ranker has been riding mountain bikes since the age of eight and now calls Cologne home. His career highlights include victories at Sundern-Hagen and the VulkanBike Eifel-Marathon. In 2025, Niclas will take on the Absa Cape Epic for the third time.
Cutting-Edge Equipment for Maximum Performance
This year, our riders will be tackling the Absa Cape Epic on Scott RC bikes, engineered for ultimate speed and endurance. Every component has been carefully selected and fine-tuned to withstand the extreme demands of the world’s toughest marathon stage race.
The SRAM XX drivetrain ensures smooth and reliable shifting, complemented by Quarq power meters for precise performance tracking and Time pedals for maximum efficiency.
New to the team’s setup this year are Syncros wheels and ODI grips, both of which will be rigorously tested in the race’s punishing conditions. Meanwhile, the Garmin Edge 840 Solar GPS bike computer, already proven in previous competitions, will provide essential ride data throughout the event.
For reliable braking performance, the riders use the Galfer Shark Disc® – offering increased braking power, reduced heat buildup, and lower pad wear.
To keep their bikes running smoothly and looking pristine, the team has also packed Dynamic Bike Care products, ensuring top performance even in the toughest terrain.
For safe transport to South Africa, the riders used Evoc Bike Bags to protect their gear.
Nutrition and Hydration
Keeping the bikes in top condition is one challenge—keeping the body and mind performing at their best is an even bigger one. The heat and intensity of the Absa Cape Epic can be brutal, making proper hydration and nutrition essential for success.
To stay hydrated, the riders rely on USWE hydration packs, which also feature a GoPro mount for capturing race action. For nutrition, they’ve brought along a selection of gels, powders, and bars from Amacx to sustain their energy throughout the race.
More on their nutrition strategy after the event!
Well-Planned Gear from Head to Toe
As in the previous year, the team kits and shoes come from Northwave. Björn and Juri were impressed by the material quality and durability during the last Absa Cape Epic.
“In previous races, my jerseys were barely usable after the event. But the ones from Northwave looked almost as good as new after washing, even after tough conditions and long days. The same goes for the XC shoes, which also performed exceptionally well. So it was clear to us that we would stick with Northwave in 2025.” – Björn, Purchasing Manager.
For the helmet, the team chose the Abus Airbreaker – the top choice of many pros for hot racing conditions.
