Maltese riders have reached the halfway point of the Absa Cape Epic after completing Stage 3 — the fourth day of racing — widely considered one of the toughest endurance events in the world.
The stage, the longest of the race, took riders from Montagu to Greyton over a gruelling 140km route with 1,750 metres of elevation gain. While overcast skies and strong winds offered some relief from the intense heat of previous days, the course remained relentlessly demanding.
Epic Team Deloitte (Mark Bonnici and Luke Borg), bouncing back from a difficult previous stage where both riders were unwell, showed strong resilience to finish in 6:04:27.3. Still recovering, the duo paced themselves carefully, taking advantage of terrain that suited their strengths — particularly flat gravel sections and flowing singletrack — to maintain an impressive average speed and exceed expectations.
“Maintaining hydration remained a priority throughout, especially as solid nutrition was difficult to manage under the circumstances,” Bonnici noted.
Team Gaudos (Stephen Grima and Brandon Sultana) followed closely, completing the stage in 6:09:05.9. Reflecting on their performance, Grima highlighted a measured and strategic approach.
“The long stage suited us well. We held a strong pace through the first two-thirds and relied on last year’s experience to approach the final section more conservatively, focusing on recovery with the coming days in mind. At this stage of the race, it’s important to manage effort rather than push at full intensity. Overall, we’re satisfied, though there’s still room to improve.”
Team Kalamba Racing (Etienne Bonello and Marie Claire Aquilina) crossed the line in 6:40:45.3, with Bonello describing the stage as “muddy, with endless roads — especially towards the end.” With fatigue beginning to set in after several demanding days, careful pacing is becoming increasingly important as the race progresses.
“Tomorrow we continue, knowing that half the race is already behind us,” Bonello added.
In the general classification, Epic Team Deloitte recovered well after losing ground in the previous stage, while Team Gaudos continue their steady rise up the rankings in a competitive field of 173 teams. In the Mixed Category, Team Kalamba Racing are maintaining strong momentum, currently sitting 22nd out of 61 teams.
Focus now shifts to the next stage in Greyton — a shorter 87km route that still features a series of tough climbs, ensuring the challenge remains as intense as ever.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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