Rising temperatures test riders as Maltese teams tackle first full stage

Searing conditions and rising temperatures forecasted for the day meant that Absa Cape Epic organisers introduced adjustments ahead of the first full stage, a demanding 90km route starting and finishing in Montagu, featuring 2,150 metres of climbing across rugged terrain in the Western Cape.

After the short but intense Prologue that set the starting order, the first full stage marks the beginning of the real test of endurance, with long climbs, technical sections, and rising temperatures expected to challenge riders throughout the day.

Epic Team Deloitte (Mark Bonnici and Luke Borg) were the first Maltese team to finish the course, in a time of 5:09:46.9. 

Commenting after the race, Mark Bonnici (Epic Team Deloitte) said: “We’ve seen an improvement in our placings and have been taking a conservative approach, as there is still a long way to go.

“We avoided unnecessary risks and made sure to stay close to each other – which is essential in an event like this where teamwork is key. So far, we’re very pleased with how things are going.”

Team Gaudos (Stephen Grima and Brandon Sultana) followed in 5:57:10.2, tackling a relentless course that offered little respite, with the entirely off-road route and rugged terrain placing constant demands on both riders and equipment.

“The earlier-than originally planned start gave us a bit of a break from the relentless conditions of the day,” Grima said.

“Furthermore, our experience from last year has been put to practice, enabling us to go up a few places.”

The first stage of the Absa Cape Epic has shown riders what a brutal week lies ahead of them, sentiments echoed by Team Kalamba Racing’s Etienne Bonello, who completed the 90km course in a time of 6:10:45.2.

“The route was really tough, plenty of sharp rocks, and there were many broken wheels today,” Bonello said.

“However, we felt at home cause we are accustomed to that terrain in Malta, so it was never an issue. Especially on the downhill, we were really moving forward.

“Obviously, towards the end, the distance and elevation took their toll on our reserves, and we did not want to push it, given we have a week ahead of us.

“The weather was not too hot, and in the end, we found heavy winds. It was a true test for us. We had very good synergy as a team and managed to pace ourselves well.”

Stage 2 of the Absa Cape Epic will see riders once again start and finish in Montagu, taking on a 102km route with 2,250 metres of climbing on Tuesday.

As the race continues to build in intensity, competitors will face another demanding day in the saddle, with a course that combines long climbs, technical trails, and fast gravel sections characteristic of the Western Cape terrain.