Maltese cyclist Marie Claire Aquilina was forced to withdraw from the Absa Cape Epic earlier today after experiencing excruciating pain due to an injury sustained in the early stages of the race. Despite her determination to push through, the relentless pain made it impossible to continue, especially on the gruelling climbs that defined today’s stage.
Earlier on in the day, Aquilina and her teammate Etienne Bonello battled through extreme conditions, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius and a relentless, technical terrain that challenged even the most seasoned competitors. However, as the pain intensified, it became evident that continuing would pose a serious risk to her health. At their current pace—covering just 20km in two hours—they were also at risk of missing the race’s cut-off time.
“With most of the climbing still ahead and the extreme heat taking its toll, we had to make the difficult decision for Marie Claire to retire,” Bonello explained. “It was a heartbreaking moment, but health comes first.”
With race rules permitting riders to continue as individual competitors, the duo agreed that Bonello should push forward alone in an effort to complete the race within the time limit. Braving the punishing conditions that led to numerous withdrawals—many due to heat stroke—he successfully reached the required checkpoints, keeping his race hopes alive.
“The amount of climbing and the technical terrain was insane,” Bonello noted. “Today was another brutal day, and the heat took out many competitors.”
With Stage 3 completed, Bonello now has to face the fourth stage which promises another punishing test, covering 80km with a brutal 1,950m of climbing. As fatigue sets in, Bonello, now riding solo, will need todig deep, to push through the rocky outcrops and between the towering 500-million-year-old granite formations.
