The Absa Cape Epic returns to the western Cape Peninsula of South Africa after a three-year absence. The route will pass through the ultra-technical and often hostile trails of Tulbagh and Ceres, through the vineyards of Wellington, and finally to Stellenbosh, covering 647 km and 15,500 m of vertical ascent in an 8-day, 7-stage race.

Incidentally, the last time the race passed through this region in 2016, it also covered 647 km and 14950 m.

In terms of elevation per km (m/km), the 2020 route is one of the most demanding in recent years, at 24 m/km compared to 26.6 m/km (2019), 20.5 m/km (2018), 21.4 m/km (2017) and 22.3 m/km (2016) The company is now in the process of developing a new program. Although organizers have opted to omit the mid-week time trial next year and include only one day over 100 km (stage 4), stages 3, 5, and 6 are all roughly equivalent in terms of difficulty and each could qualify as a queen stage.

The 2020 Cape Epic will be held from March 15-22, traditionally the hottest time of year in the Western Cape.

Sunday, March 15, 2020: 20km/600m

Table Mountain has been the setting for the Cape Epic Prologue for the past three times and continues to amaze riders each year.

The 20km/600m prologue, an all-out cross-country style sprint, looks nondescript on paper, but its terrain varies from loose washed-out singletrack, rocky off-camber descents, and punchy, steep climbs of all kinds. Varies.

Monday, March 16, 2020: 98 km/1800 m

The Kohe-Bockefeld region of Ceres is known for its Jekyll and Hyde character, combining steep climbs and exhilarating singletrack over sand and rock.

While you can't expect free kilometers here, there is some payback in the form of the Ethelfontein Trail, a mountain bike playground with some of the oldest trails in South Africa. As is typical of Cape Epic, three testing climbs await. One of them is a brutally steep climb named Dead Man Walking, with a grade reaching 15% in places.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020: 94 km/2050 m

The Queen stage will also serve as the first travel day of the 2020 race. With 2050m of climbing in just 94km, it will be a tough day for the riders.

The early part of the stage unfolds in the Ceres Valley, which is known for its exposure to wind, rain, and terrain. While not a particularly tough climb, it is a highly exposed pass, which could pose a problem if the weather worsens. [Rock, sand, and incredibly technical singletrack are repeated. The descent of the Oxwagon Trail, a section that appeared in the "Stage 100" at the 2016 Cape Epic, will test even the most seasoned pros.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020: 88km/2100m

With 2100m packed into 88km, Stage 3 is certainly one of the queen stages. But its difficulty is in the hands of the weather gods, and if the wind blows like it did in 2016, the riders will have another tough and brutal day in the saddle. [Bourne Trail, Bogekloof, and Fanties Pass. Fanties Pass has a maximum of 20% and the last 2km averages 14%. The Assegai Boss Trail, which takes up most of the stage, traverses old-growth forests and pristine fynbos gardens.

Thursday, March 19, 2020: 101 km/1950 m

Stage 2 of the 2020 Cape Epic travel day is also the longest stage of the race and follows a similar trajectory to Stage 3 of the 2016 event. Zur Vlakte is a pan surrounded by high mountains, and the old forest roads are sandy, rutted, and rocky.

The vast expanse of Vlakte provides no shelter, so wind plays a decisive role in this stage as well. The only respite is the asphalt surface of the Beinskloof Pass, but after that the steep vineyard course continues.

Friday, March 20, 2020: 85km/2900m

Stage 5 is nothing short of a monster, packing nearly 3000m of elevation gain into just 85km. There are five "bumps" that look like sharks' teeth.

but there is plenty of singletrack available. The final challenge of the day, the 21 switchback singletrack climb of Aap d'Huez, is said to be the most challenging of the day, with the sparkling trails around Wellington blazing through to the finish via the roller coaster of the Full Monty, It's a real treat. As is typical of Cape Epic, expect a tail-spinning ride.

Saturday, March 21, 2020: 95km/2300m

Stage 6 is a relatively flat course around Wellington Valley. It is by no means easy, but has more highlights than any other stage.

A dash through the Arc en Ciel Private Nature Preserve will give you a chance to see zebras, eland, springbok, giraffes, and more. At this point, there is still plenty of climbing to be done, including a nasty climb up Rocky Horror, a nasty ascent composed of rocks that "look like baby heads."

Sunday, March 22, 2020: 66 km/1850 m

The distance may only be 66 km, but the route to the Val de Vie Estate in Stellenbosch is much tougher than it looks.

The now famous Pataczkloof, Beulah, and Hawekwa climbs have been a staple of the last few races, but they are not the only bumps along the way. A number of short but steep climbs await in the last 30 km. The final challenge, the combo of the Freedom Struggle climb and the Bourne Rattler descent, signals the finish at the Val de Vie farm.