Maltese cyclist Etienne Bonello has completed one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges – the Absa Cape Epic – marking a feat of resilience, endurance, and sheer willpower in what is often referred to as the “Tour de France of mountain biking.”
The eight-day stage race, held in South Africa’s Western Cape, covers over 600km of brutal terrain and an astonishing 16,500 metres of climbing.
Bonello, who initially signed up for the gruelling race as a Mixed Entry with Marie Claire Aquilina, faced an unexpected twist in his Cape Epic journey when Aquilina was forced to retire due to injury sustained in the early stages.
Despite this major setback, Bonello continued the race solo, determined to honour their joint commitment and complete what is widely regarded as the toughest mountain bike stage race in the world
A good start for the duo in the prologue race saw them finishing 14th in the competitive mixed category among 73 international teams.
However, the path to the finish line was anything but smooth.
A Journey of Highs and Lows
The early stages of the race saw setbacks emerge.
During Stage 1, Aquilina suffered a serious crash at the 29km mark, injuring her back.
Despite the pain, she pushed through to complete the stage, demonstrating the grit and determination she is known for.
The subsequent time trial in scorching 38°C heat took a toll on both riders, with Bonello battling fatigue and heat exhaustion.
Sadly, by Stage 3, the pain from Aquilina’s injury became too much to endure.
Despite attempting to continue, she was forced to retire from the race, leaving Bonello to face the remainder of the Cape Epic solo – a daunting task even for the most experienced riders.
Racing Against the Elements
Each passing day brought new challenges. From extreme heat and technical climbs to mechanical issues and slick trails, Bonello encountered it all. Stage 5 – infamously named “Killer Queen” – was particularly brutal, throwing riders into icy rain and mud-laden climbs.
Bonello was among those forced to dismount and push through thick clay, stating: “The finish line may be near, but the journey remains fierce”.
By the penultimate stage, Bonello delivered one of his strongest performances yet.
Drawing on years of racing experience, his well-executed recovery strategy saw him tackle the trails of the Helderberg Mountain with renewed energy and focus.
“I had the best legs of the whole week,” Bonello declared.
“When you’re having a good day, everything seems to flow better”.
A Triumphant Finish
Sunday’s final leg, saw an altered course due to extreme overnight weather which affected the initial route. With the finish line in sight Bonello went all out, crossing the final finish line of the Absa Cape Epic against all odds.
“Today is a bittersweet day. Against all odds, I managed to finish this epic race – battling heatwaves, crashes, solo riding, and unforgiving terrain,” Bonello said.
“It was disappointing not to cross the finish line with my buddy Marie Claire, and riding solo in those conditions demanded an extra dose of determination. But I’m incredibly grateful for her undying support – she was there every step of the way, even from the sidelines. This finish was for her too.”
The Cape Epic campaign was powered by the support of Meerendal Wine Estate, Kalamba Games, Garmin, BBB Cycling, The Sports Medics, Go&Fun, Visit Malta, and Wurth. The journey was also supported by the Maltese Olympic Committee, SportMalta, and the Malta Cycling Federation.
