Marie Claire Aquilina and Etienne Bonello endured another day of gruelling racing as they completed the Stage 2 Time Trial at the Absa Cape Epic today, battling extreme heat and humidity. Due to yesterday’s mishap, where Aquilina suffered a bad fall, the duo had a late start at 10:35, forcing them to race in soaring temperatures, reaching up to 38 degrees at its peak, on the 66km route, which featured 950m of elevation.
After a cautious start to assess Aquilina’s condition following her dramatic fall in Stage 1, she pushed through with remarkable determination to finish strong. The relentless heat took its toll on Bonello, who struggled particularly in the latter part of the stage, finishing around 2pm. The middle section of the route proved to be mentally draining due to its flat and monotonous terrain.
Despite the challenges, the Maltese duo finished in 39th place. More riders continue to abandon the race, as conditions become increasingly unforgiving.
Tomorrow’s Stage 3 promises to be another test of endurance, with a punishing 90km course and 2600m of climbing. Featuring technical singletracks and brutal ascents on Paarl Mountain, it could be a defining moment in their 2025 Cape Epic campaign. With an earlier 7am start, they hope to gain some respite from the heat and maintain their momentum heading into the second half of the race.
“This race can chew you up and spit you out in an instant. Every aspect—nutrition, pacing, risk-taking, and recovery—must be managed with extreme precision. In all my years of international racing, I have never experienced anything quite like this.” Remarked Bonello.
Bonello and Aquilina’s participation in the Absa Cape Epic is made possible through the support of Meerendal Wine Estate, Kalamba Games, Garmin, BBB Cycling, The Sports Medics, Go&Fun, Visit Malta, and Wurth. Their journey is also backed by the invaluable assistance of the Maltese Olympic Committee and SportMalta, with the support of the Malta Cycling Federation.
