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Media release

Breaking the trail for the 20th anniversary of the Absa Cape Epic!

16 March 2024

The Absa Cape Epic, Africa’s untamed mountain-biking (MTB) race, is the premier mountain-bike stage race in the world. The 20th edition of the Absa Cape Epic, taking place from 17 to 24 March 2024, will include 613 gruelling kilometres with 16 850 metres of climbing throughout eight days of racing.

To celebrate 20 years of the Absa Cape Epic, Absa committed to 20 all-women in teams within Team Absa (20/60 teams will be women) and for a third year, the first session of The Epic Trippers will be dedicated to 40 Absa #SheUntamed women riders with an impressive line-up that acts as the stomping ground for those who want to test their limits but are not ready for the full eight days, as well as for captains of industry who are superfans of the event but are still working towards this bucket list item.

The 2024 host towns are:

  • Somerset West, Cape Town (Lourensford Wine Estate)
  • Tulbagh (Saronsberg Wine Estate)
  • Wellington (Cape Peninsula University of Technology/CPUT)
  • Stellenbosch (Stellenbosch University)

Absa has been the Title and Exclusive Naming Rights Sponsor of the event since 2006. In September 2023, Absa announced our three-year extension as title sponsor of the event until 2027.

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic Absa Cape Epic, and in celebration of this milestone, Absa is taking the #SheUntamed initiative to new heights. The bank is setting a bold goal to assemble 20 all-women teams as part of Team Absa #SheUntamed 20for20. This commitment will ensure that 50% of the team comprises women of colour, constituting just over a third of the Team Absa peloton. This commitment extends to the Epic Trippers programme with an ongoing all-women Session 1.

Tina Venter, Absa Executive for Marketing Operations, says, "Absa is dedicated to championing the empowerment of women in cycling and reminding them that their Story Matters. This commitment goes beyond mere inclusivity, positioning Absa as an intentional driver of change. Our goal is to empower women not only to be prepared at the start of the event, but also to revel in the accomplishment of completing the challenging eight-day journey of the Absa Cape Epic – the Untamed African mountain bike stage race that tests all limits. Through this initiative, we aim to create a foundation for all women and girls to forge their unique paths, ultimately leaving a lasting legacy."

The Absa Cape Epic, a true test of endurance, demands up to 20 hours of weekly training to ensure that participants start the race in peak physical condition.

Every year, the selected #SheUntamed group of female mountain bikers are provided with substantial support before and during the event to take on the Absa Cape Epic. For those still preparing, the dedicated #SheUntamed Absa Cape Epic sampling experience offers a two-day adventure within the Epic Trippers programme. The community comprises women from diverse backgrounds, including both novice and seasoned riders, fostering knowledge-sharing and mentorship.

While these 40 women collectively tackle the formidable challenge of starting and finishing the 20th edition of the Absa Cape Epic, each one will embark on a unique journey. Their inspiring stories will undoubtedly encourage other women to set and achieve their own mountain biking goals. Whether aspiring to complete an Absa Cape Epic or simply become a capable mountain biker, every woman has the potential to define and achieve her own path.

We wish our 20 all-women teams all the best at the 2024 Absa Cape Epic scheduled to take place from 16-24 March in Stellenbosch.

About #SheUntamed:

Launched in 2019, the award-winning #SheUntamed initiative aims to promote women participation in the race that measures all, the Absa Cape Epic. #SheUntamed embodies Absa's commitment to empowering women, fostering inclusivity and breaking down barriers within the cycling realm. Since its inception, #SheUntamed has helped with the remarkable surge in female participation in the race. The number has increased from 36 in its inaugural year to an impressive 146 in 2023. This achievement is largely attributed to Absa's purposeful initiatives, in collaboration with Cape Epic, which includes increased participation of women in the Team Absa line-up.

In a heart-warming effort to drive a force for good, Absa partnered with the official charity partner of the Absa Cape Epic, "ILoveBoobies." Together, they committed to over 1000 free breast examinations to South African women during the course of the Absa race calendar.

For more information, please contact

Daniel Munslow

Absa Group Managing Executive: Group Communications

PRmedia@absa.africa

Download images

She Untamed media release 1
Cape epic media release 1
She untamed media release 2

16 March 2024

The Absa Cape Epic, Africa’s untamed mountain-biking (MTB) race, is the premier mountain-bike stage race in the world. The 20th edition of the Absa Cape Epic, taking place from 17 to 24 March 2024, will include 613 gruelling kilometres with 16 850 metres of climbing throughout eight days of racing.

To celebrate 20 years of the Absa Cape Epic, Absa committed to 20 all-women in teams within Team Absa (20/60 teams will be women) and for a third year, the first session of The Epic Trippers will be dedicated to 40 Absa #SheUntamed women riders with an impressive line-up that acts as the stomping ground for those who want to test their limits but are not ready for the full eight days, as well as for captains of industry who are superfans of the event but are still working towards this bucket list item.

The 2024 host towns are:

  • Somerset West, Cape Town (Lourensford Wine Estate)
  • Tulbagh (Saronsberg Wine Estate)
  • Wellington (Cape Peninsula University of Technology/CPUT)
  • Stellenbosch (Stellenbosch University)

Absa has been the Title and Exclusive Naming Rights Sponsor of the event since 2006. In September 2023, Absa announced our three-year extension as title sponsor of the event until 2027.

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic Absa Cape Epic, and in celebration of this milestone, Absa is taking the #SheUntamed initiative to new heights. The bank is setting a bold goal to assemble 20 all-women teams as part of Team Absa #SheUntamed 20for20. This commitment will ensure that 50% of the team comprises women of colour, constituting just over a third of the Team Absa peloton. This commitment extends to the Epic Trippers programme with an ongoing all-women Session 1.

Tina Venter, Absa Executive for Marketing Operations, says, "Absa is dedicated to championing the empowerment of women in cycling and reminding them that their Story Matters. This commitment goes beyond mere inclusivity, positioning Absa as an intentional driver of change. Our goal is to empower women not only to be prepared at the start of the event, but also to revel in the accomplishment of completing the challenging eight-day journey of the Absa Cape Epic – the Untamed African mountain bike stage race that tests all limits. Through this initiative, we aim to create a foundation for all women and girls to forge their unique paths, ultimately leaving a lasting legacy."

The Absa Cape Epic, a true test of endurance, demands up to 20 hours of weekly training to ensure that participants start the race in peak physical condition.

Every year, the selected #SheUntamed group of female mountain bikers are provided with substantial support before and during the event to take on the Absa Cape Epic. For those still preparing, the dedicated #SheUntamed Absa Cape Epic sampling experience offers a two-day adventure within the Epic Trippers programme. The community comprises women from diverse backgrounds, including both novice and seasoned riders, fostering knowledge-sharing and mentorship.

While these 40 women collectively tackle the formidable challenge of starting and finishing the 20th edition of the Absa Cape Epic, each one will embark on a unique journey. Their inspiring stories will undoubtedly encourage other women to set and achieve their own mountain biking goals. Whether aspiring to complete an Absa Cape Epic or simply become a capable mountain biker, every woman has the potential to define and achieve her own path.

We wish our 20 all-women teams all the best at the 2024 Absa Cape Epic scheduled to take place from 16-24 March in Stellenbosch.

About #SheUntamed:

Launched in 2019, the award-winning #SheUntamed initiative aims to promote women participation in the race that measures all, the Absa Cape Epic. #SheUntamed embodies Absa's commitment to empowering women, fostering inclusivity and breaking down barriers within the cycling realm. Since its inception, #SheUntamed has helped with the remarkable surge in female participation in the race. The number has increased from 36 in its inaugural year to an impressive 146 in 2023. This achievement is largely attributed to Absa's purposeful initiatives, in collaboration with Cape Epic, which includes increased participation of women in the Team Absa line-up.

In a heart-warming effort to drive a force for good, Absa partnered with the official charity partner of the Absa Cape Epic, "ILoveBoobies." Together, they committed to over 1000 free breast examinations to South African women during the course of the Absa race calendar.

For more information, please contact

Daniel Munslow

Absa Group Managing Executive: Group Communications

PRmedia@absa.africa

Download images

She Untamed media release 1
Cape epic media release 1
She untamed media release 2