Hermanus in the Overberg Municipality has been named the 2023 Absa Cape Epic’s Best Stage Location, as voted for by the riders.
Stakeholders – including Hermanus primary and high schools, Hermanus Cricket Club, the municipality and local landowners – pulled out all the stops to deliver an unforgettable experience for this year’s riders and Cape Epic supporters.
To celebrate the achievement, the Absa Cape Epic will host a small gathering to present the award at the Overstrand Municipality Hall on Wednesday 5 July.
The town hosted the first three stages of this year’s event, with two stages starting and finishing in Hermanus and the third ending at Oak Valley Estate in Grabouw.
It was the fifth time Hermanus hosted stages of the Cape Epic, the previous being in 2006, 2008, 2017 and 2019.
In all, the Absa Cape Epic booked 163 rooms per night over the three days, amounting to R1.76-million in accommodation costs. This figure excludes race participants, 60% of whom booked their own accommodation outside of the race village.
The town’s restaurants also did a roaring trade as riders and fans tucked into the local fare, while in a further act typifying the character of residents, members of the Hermanus Round Table collected and distributed food left over by Absa Cape Epic crew and riders from the race village to beneficiaries in the area.
Hermanus was ably supported by the residents of the picturesque Overstrand village of Stanford, who helped run the Stanford water point and offered marshalling services during Stage 2 of the race.
They also came out in huge numbers to support the riders as they made their way across the thirsty bridge on the Kleinrivier and through the leafy lanes of the historic settlement.
Trails used during stages 1, 2 and 3 of the Absa Cape Epic included the Hermanus MTB Trails in Hemel-en-Aarde trails and Stanford Trail Network, which comprises of Stanford Town, Paardeberg, Stanford Valley Country Lodge and the Kleinrivier Farms.
Absa Cape Epic organisers play a major role in assisting the developing existing trail networks and introducing new links between them for the race.
Route Director, Hendrico Burger, explained that aside from financial contributions organisers also assisted with maintenance work on trails for the preparation of the event as well as after natural disasters like flooding and fires.
“Maintenance is done in partnership with Hermanus MTB Trails as well as land owners and managers and includes infrastructure like bridges. Cape Trails also plays a role in trail maintenance,” he said.
He added the Absa Cape Epic contribution to the trails was ongoing, and also benefitted the sister Wines2Whales MTB stage race.
Hermanus rider, Almarie Hugo, who partnered with her son Neil for the race, felt so proud that her hometown won Best Stage Location.
“All the people came out to support. People often don’t realise what the Epic is until they see all the effort and preparation that goes into it,” she said.
“I can see why Hermanus won the award. You get your food and massages and bike mechanics, and everything is close by. Even with the wind nothing stopped.”
While she was delighted to finish the Epic herself, her son was less fortunate.
An illness forced him out of the race on stage 5, meaning she had to complete the remaining stages alone.
She will be back next year, however. “I have unfinished business with my son,” the 59-year-old quipped.
