The 9th edition of the Absa Cape Epic will take place from 25 March to 1 April 2012, and will once again see riders battle the natural elements of South Africa’s harsh mountain biking terrain for the coveted championship title and prize purse of R 721 500 (the largest prize purse in the world of endurance mountain biking).

The Cape Epic will see cyclists complete 781km of intense cycling with 16 300m of climbing, starting with a prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville and finishing at the traditional Lourensford Wine Estate.

The prologue, a common feature in grand road cycling tours, will allow cycling enthusiasts to see teams race against the clock and each other at Meerendal Wine Estate on the first day of the race.

Lourensford Wine Estate will once again host the finish of the Cape Epic and The Grand Finale celebrations on 1 April 2012. The Grand Finale will kick off with live entertainment by well-known South African band Freshly Ground, a Farmer’s Market, delectable food and wine as well as glorious scenery. Other entertainment on the day will include the Red Bull Extreme Zone with World Trial Champion Kenny Beleay, Red Bull Air Pilot (aerobatics display) by Glenn Dell and the Red Bull Moto Cross champion, Brian Capper. Vantage points will be accessible to the general public, so that all may have a piece of the mountain biking action.

Mountain biking enthusiasts not participating in the Absa Cape Epic are invited to enter the Vineyard Races, which consist of the Vineyard Ride and Vineyard Run, both sponsored by Cape Times. The races promise participants breathtaking scenery and spectacular mountain biking terrain. The Vineyard Run offers a fun run (6km) and a trail run (15km) and the Vineyard Ride offers a 27km and 50km race. Interested riders can register online at www.vineyard-races.co.za.