2017 Absa Cape Epic

The Prologue route includes spectacular views of some world famous landmarks – across Table Bay to the iconic Table Mountain, with Robben Island nestled in the sparkling sea in the foreground. The best viewing point follows a lung-busting climb up Meerendal‘s notorious Stairway to Heaven to the top of the Dorstberg and is followed by a trail that dips past a neighbouring quarry and on to adjacent farmlands.

All that hard work takes place in the opening sequences of the Prologue and is followed by some testing ups and downs on Hoogekraal’s highly regarded trails (with some more breathtaking views). At that time it was back to Meerendal via some steep vineyards and dairy fields. With a burst of singletrack, and the riders’ opening taste of the 2017 Absa Cape Epic will be over.

The race continues then for the 7 stages and ends at Val de Vie Estate near Franschhoek. The 2017 route will take riders through 691 km of Western Cape countryside and up many hills: the accumulated vertical gain over the eight days will be 15 400m.