There are races that are run with the legs and others that are won with the soul. The Cape Epic belongs, without a doubt, to this second category. Considered the "Tour de France of MTB," the South African event is not only the most prestigious stage race in the world, it is a wild ecosystem where human endurance meets the vastness of the Western Cape face to face.
For Gobik, this 2026 edition has been much more than a testing ground for our off-road technology. It has been the setting where two top-level structures have trusted our brand to prove that, in high-level competitive mountain biking, performance and technical equipment are just as important as trust in the teammate riding just a few centimeters from your rear wheel.
Final podium and strong classification stages
Two teams, four pairs, and iron determination. This is how they concluded their run in the race:
- WILIER-VITTORIA MTB FACTORY TEAM:
Riders: Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto (2nd Place). A masterful podium-worthy performance, leading the race at several stages and fighting for the yellow jersey until the very last breath in Stellenbosch.
Riders: Juri Zanotti and Mathis Azzaro (11th Place). Tireless work and solidity in every stage to support the team's strategy.
- KLIMATIZA ORBEA TEAM:
Riders: David Valero and Marc Stutzmann (4th Place). The Olympic medalist and the Swiss rider starred in an epic comeback, narrowly missing the final podium after a display of strength in the decisive stage.
Riders: Samuele Porro and Luis Francisco Pérez (8th Place). A top 10 finish that confirms the depth and talent of this pair.
700 Kilometers of Wild Course
The 2026 route brought us back to the purest essence of MTB. From the prologue in Meerendal, the riders faced unforgiving terrain:
- Montagu and the Klein Karoo: Stages marked by suffocating heat and endless tracks where the wind gave no respite.
- Greyton: Loose rock trails and technical descents that tested the reliability of every component and the endurance of our chamois pads and fabrics.
- Stellenbosch: The grand finale among vineyards and historic trails, where strength no longer existed and only instinct remained.
In total, more than 15,000 meters of accumulated elevation gain. Figures that are dizzying on paper, but on the ground translate into sweat, dust, and the constant sound of the chain suffering under pressure.
The race ends, but the epic remains
At the end of the day, when the bikes rest in the paddock and the riders clean off the mud, what remains of the Cape Epic is not the time on the clock. It is the embrace at the finish line, the gesture of sharing such a brutal experience.
In South Africa, competition turns into brotherhood. Friendships are forged that the asphalt or one-day races could never match. For the Klimatiza Orbea and the Wilier-Vittoria, these eight days have been a lesson: teams that become families and rivals that become confidants.
Because at Gobik we understand that epicness is not just about finishing first; it is knowing that, no matter what happens, you are not alone on the road.
