The final stage of the Absa Cape Epic brought a sense of relief, emotion and quiet satisfaction as the 2026 edition of the race came to a close in Stellenbosch. After days of punishing terrain, relentless climbing and ever-changing conditions, the last kilometres offered riders a rare opportunity to reflect — and celebrate.
For Malta, it marked a notable achievement, with all three teams successfully completing one of the world’s toughest mountain bike stage races.
Team Gaudos (Stephen Grima and Brandon Sultana) once again made the most of their Cape Epic experience, adopting a steady and calculated approach throughout the week to secure another strong finish.
Reflecting on the final stage, Grima said: “We’re very happy to finish the final leg in good time — and it was special to cross the line together with Epic Team Deloitte, just as we had planned when we found ourselves riding side by side in the final kilometres.” He added that improved recovery after the Queen Stage helped them finish strongly, gaining positions along the way. A late puncture for Sultana did little to disrupt their momentum.
“It’s been a full week of racing — physically and mentally demanding — and the fatigue really builds with the elevation and conditions, but we’re proud to have completed another Cape Epic,” he said.
Team Gaudos completed the race in 41:01:04.3, finishing 81st in the Open Men category and 212th overall.
Epic Team Deloitte (Luke Borg and Mark Bonnici) rounded off an impressive debut campaign, overcoming illness, mechanical issues and the sheer demands of the race with resilience and composure, improving steadily with each stage.
The final stage brought a brief scare when Bonnici crashed, but the team managed to stay composed and reach the finish line — sharing the moment with Team Gaudos. Their total time of 40:00:52.1 saw them finish 73rd in the Open Men category and 190th overall.
“This has been one of the toughest races we’ve ever faced. There were moments we thought about stopping, but our teamwork carried us through — we didn’t even need to speak, we just kept pushing together,” Borg said.
For Team Kalamba Racing (Etienne Bonello and Marie Claire Aquilina), the finish line held even deeper significance. After being forced to withdraw last year due to injury, completing this year’s race symbolised resilience, redemption and unfinished business finally resolved.
Despite competing with a torn ankle ligament, Aquilina showed remarkable determination, pushing through the pain to reach the finish.
“It was an incredible stage — finishing the race is something we can hardly put into words. The climbs were tough, especially with the injury, but we stayed focused and kept going until the very end,” she said.
The team finished 19th in the highly competitive Mixed Category with a total time of 44:56:47.9 — a result Bonello described as a significant achievement.
“The Mixed Category is extremely competitive, with many riders much younger than us. To finish 19th at the world’s biggest MTB stage race is something we’re truly proud of,” he said.
As the curtain falls on another unforgettable Absa Cape Epic, the performances of all three Maltese teams stand as a testament to determination, preparation and the resilience required to conquer one of cycling’s most demanding events.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
Leave a Reply