Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville is proud to be a partner of the Absa Cape Epic, the largest mountain bike stage race in the world. The participating riders are at the focal point of this highly regarded international event. Their satisfaction, well-being and enjoyment of the race are the organisers' primary goals.
The dramatic new route of the ninth edition of the Absa Cape Epic, which takes place from 25 March to 1 April next year (2012), will be as exciting and challenging as previous years. Both local and international mountain biking enthusiasts will be taking on the demanding eight day mountain bike adventure of 780km with 16 300m of climbing from Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville to Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West.
For the fourth time in the Absa Cape Epic’s history, riders will compete in a prologue on Sunday 25 March 2012. A common feature in grand road cycling tours, the prologue on the Meerendal Wine Estate will allow spectators to see teams race against the clock. This showcase event will decide which teams will wear the coveted leaders’ jerseys at the start of stage 1 on Monday, 26 March 2012, in Durbanville.
Prologue – Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville, Cape Town (27km with 900m of climbing)
The 9th edition of the race kicks off with a 27km prologue. It will be the fourth time in the race’s history that a short team time trial opens proceedings. This will take place at the Meerendal Wine Estate on 25 March 2012 on the Durbanville Wine Route, passing through protected Renosterveld. Far from just a ceremonial stroll, it will be flat out from the start ramp heading through Contermanskloof, Hillcrest and Kliprug, railing the sublime single-track in the Tygerberg Hills. On the final push on the lung-bursting climb up to the mountaintop finish, riders will be looking to spectators lining the trail for support, with magnificent views of Table Mountain and Table Bay in the background. Teams will open up their throttles for a good seeding at the official start in Robertson on stage one.
Meerendal Wine Estate is preparing a special area of five hectares next to the winery where the Race Village will be set up. It will accommodate amongst others the race offices, Absa hospitality tent, bike racks and wash area, recovery zone and food stalls.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Meerendal Wine Estate and the Durbanville Wine Valley to showcase our superb wines and the amazing landscape and beauty of the Tygerberg Hills. It will be a wonderful boost for tourism in Durbanville and the surroundings too” says GM of Meerendal, Willi Botha.
Meerendal Wine Estate is proud to host such a prestigious international event at the wine estate over the next three years.
