8 days. 655 kilometres. 15 550 metres of vertical ascent. Rugged mountain dual tracks and rocky singletracks through pristine fynbos. Sandy farm road between manicured orchards. Bone-rattling descents off ancient mountain ranges. This is the 2021 Absa Cape Epic route, proudly brought to you by Land Rover, the Official Vehicle and Route Partner. Wild and untamed. The pinnacle of mountain bike stage racing. The Race That Measures All.
From the iconic slopes of Table Mountain National Park to the luxury of Val de Vie Estate, the route for the seventeenth edition will challenge all and reward those who have come prepared with proven partnerships, technical skills, fitness and mental fortitude. Only the truly worthy will see their names etched into the Book of Legend.
We were really looking forward to the 2020 route, one that our team thought would have been our best ever, and therefore we will keep the same route for 2021. For this, we are incredibly grateful to the more than 100 landowners and our host towns and venues that have already confirmed their support for 2021.
Prologue
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Distance
20km
Climbing
600m
Start Location
University of Cape Town
Finish Location
University of Cape Town
Max Stage Time
2 hours 30 minutes

Stage 1
Monday, October 18, 2021
Distance
98km
Climbing
1800m
Start Location
Ceres
Finish Location
Ceres

Stage 2
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Distance
94km
Climbing
2050m
Start Location
Ceres
Finish Location
Saronsberg

Stage 3
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Distance
88km
Climbing
2100m
Start Location
Saronsberg
Finish Location
Saronsberg

Stage 4
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Distance
101km
Climbing
1950m
Start Location
Saronsberg
Finish Location
CPUT

Stage 5
Friday, October 22, 2021
Distance
85km
Climbing
2900m
Start Location
CPUT
Finish Location
CPUT

Stage 6
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Distance
95km
Climbing
2300m
Start Location
CPUT
Finish Location
CPUT

Stage 7
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Distance
66km
Climbing
1850m
Start Location
CPUT
Finish Location
Val de Vie
