The Women's Race: Building The Culture

THE ABSA CAPE EPIC is not only an event that entices the world's best female riders to South African shores, but also one that actively encourages women to take up the sport of mountain biking.

- Dave Moseley

Widely regarded as one of the toughest mountain-biking events on the planet, the Absa Cape Epic is also one of the most constantly innovative races on the global calendar. That aspect of the race is evident in its approach to the women's category.

From the beginning, the Absa Cape Epic has allowed the best female mountain bikers to race against each other in a unique format... yet changes to the event, to include a separate women's start and make prize money equal in the men's and women's category, show that the race is serious about women's mountain biking. And the collaboration with sponsors Absa to encourage female participation through the #SheUntamed initiative is another way the Cape Epic ensures that more female riders can experience the joy of mountain biking.

"Stats never lie; and if I look at the growth in women's mountain biking since the advent of the Absa Cape Epic, it’s been tremendous,” says Hannele Steyn, winner of the second Absa Cape Epic and the only female rider to complete every event. “In my own experience, I see it almost on a daily basis while I'm training.

“Women’s riding groups are growing, numbers at the races are increasing, and initiatives like SheUntamed are a confirmation of that. Women's coaches, mechanics, women-specific bikes and clothing… for every bicycle need, you’ll be able to find a woman expert.”

While the Absa Cape Epic can hardly lay claim to single-handedly leading to a rise in female participation in the sport of mountain biking, there’s no doubt the event’s popularity in South African cycling culture creates a lot of inspiration – for male and female mountain bikers alike. On top of the Cape Epic’s reputation as the pinnacle of mountain biking, the event puts in the hard work to encourage female participation.