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Media release

Media release

Team Absa Training Camp sets the pace for a landmark 21st edition of the Absa Cape Epic

25 January 2026

The Team Absa Training Camp is officially underway at the Karkloof Country Club, marking the start of the journey to the 21st edition of the Absa Cape Epic, widely regarded as one of the world’s most iconic and demanding mountain biking events. Scheduled to take place from 15 to 22 March 2026, the race will traverse Durbanville, Montagu, Greyton and Stellenbosch, pushing athletes to the limits of endurance, resilience and performance.

Beyond the elite competition, the training camp reflects Absa’s long-standing commitment to transformation, inclusion and community impact through sport. Central to this is #SheUntamed, an initiative launched in 2019 to increase the participation of women of colour in mountain biking. In 2026, the initiative reaches a powerful milestone, with eight women teams who kickstarted the #SheUntamed movement set to take on the ultimate endurance challenge at the Absa Cape Epic.

“The Absa Cape Epic is more than a race for us. It is a platform to drive meaningful inclusion, unlock opportunity and tell powerful human stories,” Says Jabulile Nsibanyoni, Head of Sponsorship at Absa. “Through initiatives like #SheUntamed and our partnerships across the cycling ecosystem, we are intentionally reshaping what access, representation and excellence look like in the sport.”

For the first time, Absa also hosted a family day during the training camp at the Karkloof Country Club, opening the experience to the surrounding community. Families and children including Yarrow Intermediate School were invited to enjoy the festivities and ride Qhubeka bicycles, celebrating Absa’s long-standing partnership with Qhubeka and a shared commitment to improving mobility and access to education.

ILoveBoobies delivered free breast cancer screenings at the heart of the event, offering on-site services to both crew members and the public throughout the day. The initiative served as a powerful demonstration of how sport can be leveraged as a platform for meaningful health advocacy and social impact.

The training camp brings together partners aligned around purpose beyond performance. First Quantum Minerals, through its Kansanshi Mine in Zambia, joins the camp as a champion of youth development through cycling. The Kansanshi Cycling Team continues to nurture young talent through community races and international competition, creating pathways to education, career opportunities and national and international success. First Quantum Minerals will form part of Team Absa at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic.

Further strengthening the message of inclusion, Össur South Africa has entered three amputee teams into the 2026 Absa Cape Epic and will form part of Team Absa. These six athletes challenge traditional perceptions of ability, demonstrating grit, courage and the transformative power of mobility at the highest level of competition.

“As we prepare for this milestone edition of the Absa Cape Epic, our focus remains on building a legacy that extends well beyond race week,” adds Nsibanyoni. “It is about community, belief and creating access to possibilities that can change lives.”

The 2026 Team Absa Training Camp signals more than preparation for a race. It stands as a powerful statement of Absa’s belief in sport as a catalyst for inclusion, development and lasting social impact.

25 January 2026

The Team Absa Training Camp is officially underway at the Karkloof Country Club, marking the start of the journey to the 21st edition of the Absa Cape Epic, widely regarded as one of the world’s most iconic and demanding mountain biking events. Scheduled to take place from 15 to 22 March 2026, the race will traverse Durbanville, Montagu, Greyton and Stellenbosch, pushing athletes to the limits of endurance, resilience and performance.

Beyond the elite competition, the training camp reflects Absa’s long-standing commitment to transformation, inclusion and community impact through sport. Central to this is #SheUntamed, an initiative launched in 2019 to increase the participation of women of colour in mountain biking. In 2026, the initiative reaches a powerful milestone, with eight women teams who kickstarted the #SheUntamed movement set to take on the ultimate endurance challenge at the Absa Cape Epic.

“The Absa Cape Epic is more than a race for us. It is a platform to drive meaningful inclusion, unlock opportunity and tell powerful human stories,” Says Jabulile Nsibanyoni, Head of Sponsorship at Absa. “Through initiatives like #SheUntamed and our partnerships across the cycling ecosystem, we are intentionally reshaping what access, representation and excellence look like in the sport.”

For the first time, Absa also hosted a family day during the training camp at the Karkloof Country Club, opening the experience to the surrounding community. Families and children including Yarrow Intermediate School were invited to enjoy the festivities and ride Qhubeka bicycles, celebrating Absa’s long-standing partnership with Qhubeka and a shared commitment to improving mobility and access to education.

ILoveBoobies delivered free breast cancer screenings at the heart of the event, offering on-site services to both crew members and the public throughout the day. The initiative served as a powerful demonstration of how sport can be leveraged as a platform for meaningful health advocacy and social impact.

The training camp brings together partners aligned around purpose beyond performance. First Quantum Minerals, through its Kansanshi Mine in Zambia, joins the camp as a champion of youth development through cycling. The Kansanshi Cycling Team continues to nurture young talent through community races and international competition, creating pathways to education, career opportunities and national and international success. First Quantum Minerals will form part of Team Absa at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic.

Further strengthening the message of inclusion, Össur South Africa has entered three amputee teams into the 2026 Absa Cape Epic and will form part of Team Absa. These six athletes challenge traditional perceptions of ability, demonstrating grit, courage and the transformative power of mobility at the highest level of competition.

“As we prepare for this milestone edition of the Absa Cape Epic, our focus remains on building a legacy that extends well beyond race week,” adds Nsibanyoni. “It is about community, belief and creating access to possibilities that can change lives.”

The 2026 Team Absa Training Camp signals more than preparation for a race. It stands as a powerful statement of Absa’s belief in sport as a catalyst for inclusion, development and lasting social impact.