Stage 2 of the Absa Cape Epic, raced on day three of the event, presented riders with one of the most demanding stages so far, a 102km route featuring 2,250 metres of elevation gain.
The opening 40 kilometres proved particularly punishing, with riders facing a relentless series of steep climbs. A brief reprieve followed from around the 50km mark through to the finish, offering some recovery after an intense start to the stage.
Epic Team Deloitte (Mark Bonnici / Luke Borg) were once again the first Maltese team to cross the finish line, completing the stage in a time of 5:55:19.8. Their performance was all the more notable given that both riders were battling a stomach bug, which significantly disrupted their nutrition strategy and added to the difficulty of what has been the longest stage to date.
Conditions throughout the stage were mixed, with riders contending with both heat and rain. The demanding terrain, combined with the weather, led to several competitors experiencing punctures and mechanical issues along the route.
Reflecting on the stage, Epic Team Deloitte Rider Luke Borg described it as “the hardest race I’ve done,” adding that both riders had, at one point, considered withdrawing within the first 30 kilometres, where nearly 1,000 metres of climbing had already been completed.
“Under the circumstances, just finishing today is a big achievement for us,” Borg said. “Tomorrow is another day, and we’re hoping to recover well so we can start fully recharged.”
Team Kalamba Racing (Etienne Bonello / Marie Claire Aquilina) delivered a strong and measured performance, moving up the rankings in their category to finish in 6:06:10.2. The duo executed a well-paced race, maintaining a conservative approach in the early stages before increasing the tempo following the first major climb — a strategy that paid off as they climbed to 21st place in their category.
Reflecting on their performance, Bonello noted: “I was pushing on the flats while Marie Claire led on the climbs. The downhills are her territory — she’s incredibly talented and fearless. She was outstanding towards the end, attacking in the final technical section to drop a rival team — and that’s after nearly six hours in the saddle.”
Team Gaudos (Stephen Grima / Brandon Sultana) followed closely behind, crossing the line in 6:06:54.1. Another steady ride saw the pair well-positioned for a strong finish; however, a puncture in the final 30 kilometres hindered their progress, costing them valuable time in the closing stages as the team had to stop three times to keep air in the tyre.
“Although our progress was affected towards the end, we’re still pleased with the outcome,” said Grima. “The scenery was stunning, and while the climbs were steep, they were manageable, allowing us to maintain a consistent pace throughout.”
Tomorrow’s Stage is the longest one, with a route of 140km, climbing an elevation of 1750m and will see riders leave Montagu and head to Greyton who’s trails weave through ridgelines and rolling hills, offering tough climbs, fast descents and stunning scenery.
Epic Team Deloitte (Luke Borg & Mark Bonnici) is sponsored by Deloitte with additional support from Foster Clark Products, Akkura, Visit Malta with further support from , Nduranz, The Cyclist and Wheel Wizard.
Team Kalamba Racing (Etienne Bonello & Marie Claire Aquilina) are sponsored by Kalamba Games, with further support from Garmin and Visit Malta. Technical partners include 226ERS, Ascend Creative Studio, BBB Cycling, IDMatch Bikefit Lab, The Sports Medics, Tristar Travel, and Würth.
Team Gaudos (Stephen Grima & Brandon Sultana) are supported by Extra Carte, Visit Malta, SG Woodworks Ltd, Raico, National Gypsum Limited Malta, Wurth Malta, Pitre Hardware, Lourdes Opticians, JV Pharma, A. Caruana Enterprises Ltd and Xlendi Supermarket.
