National Lottery plc, in collaboration with the Malta Sports Journalists Association (MSJA), has announced Team Gaudos as the winner of the second IZIBET Elite Athlete Award for 2025, covering achievements from March and April.
The team, made up of Stephen Grima and Brandon Sultana, made history by becoming the first Maltese duo to complete the Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike Stage Race—a prestigious and notoriously grueling eight-day endurance event held in South Africa. Competing against 743 teams from around the world, Team Gaudos finished in 266th place overall, clocking a total race time of 38 hours, 7 minutes, and 10 seconds.
The Cape Epic challenges athletes with 600 kilometres of rugged terrain and 16,500 metres of elevation gain, testing physical and mental endurance. Participants faced punishing conditions including temperatures as high as 51°C, torrential rain, gale-force winds, and mud-covered trails.
Grima earned the Cape Epic medal and became the first Maltese rider recognised as a Cape Epic Legend, having previously completed the Andorra Epic and Swiss Epic. Sultana, who also completed the Swiss Epic, secured his Cape Epic medal and is now aiming to join Grima as the second Maltese Epic Legend.
Team Gaudos was praised for their resilience, discipline, and international breakthrough, with organisers highlighting the importance of recognising athletes in less mainstream sports who take on extreme physical and mental challenges.
The IZIBET Elite Athlete Award is presented every two months to celebrate exceptional performances by Maltese athletes. A selection board of sports journalists and observers evaluates candidates during each review period.
More information and full award guidelines are available at www.maltasportsjournalists.com.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
Leave a Reply