It is said that Africa is the oldest land, where everything began.
It is said that there, man reconnects with himself, and a man cannot feel like a man until he has visited and experienced Africa.
And so a biker cannot fully feel like a biker without experiencing the Cape Epic. The Tour de France on dirt: the most beautiful race, the cruelest race.
You can prepare for the Cape for months, studying down to the smallest details and acclimating to the climate, but the unexpected is always around the corner, and the slightest thing can shatter dreams and sacrifices.
The Cape of the KTM SPADA, powered by BRENTA BRAKES, began a long time ago, very long ago. It started in November, continued in Tenerife, and then on to Spain, where the first setback arose during the final stages of the Andalucía Bike Race.
Nicolas and Lorenzo fell during the pre-sprint stages, sustaining injuries and bruises. The most critical situation concerns Lorenzo, who, having cracked a rib, leaves questions about his actual ability to race at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic.
On March 1st, we fly to Cape Town.
15 days before the start of the race.
15 days to study the routes and acclimatize to a hot and dry African summer.
In South Africa, the trip starts well; Lorenzo isn’t suffering, and the SampaBros are feeling great and can’t wait to show off.
The opportunity arrives on March 11th with an invitation to the prestigious Race of Champions; being there is already an honor. The race is a 20-minute XCC + 1 lap, not exactly something for marathon runners, but the goal is to test the legs and have fun.
The start of the Absa Cape Epic was on March 15th. The menu includes:
1 prologue time trial and 7 stages, for a total of 707 km and 16,000 m of elevation gain, the toughest Cape race in recent years!
The list of names is chilling: world champions, continental champions, national champions, all the best, including the XC world champions, are there!
PROLOGUE – OVERHEATING
The start is at 11:54 for 20 km and 650 m of climbing.
Nicolas and Lorenzo start slowly, ready to let off steam on the final climb. The goal is not to lose too much and not to overreact, as it’s a long week.
The excessive heat doesn’t help and causes Nicolas to suffer a minor heat stroke, but he resists. The two finish in P28, closing the gap to just 2 minutes behind the winners.
STAGE 1 – WE’RE HERE TOO
The first real stage, 90 km and 2,150 m of climbing. The SampaBros start off great and finish in P8, staying with the leading group until 10 km from the finish. What a day!
STAGE 2 – DON’T WORRY
A long stage, 102km on paper, suited to our riders, with lots of climbing. Something isn’t right, Lore isn’t in good form, and we think it’s a drop due to the excellent performance the day before. NO WORRY.
STAGE 3 – SWEAT AND TEARS
Another long stage, 140km but little elevation gain. We need to defend ourselves. The SampaBros stay in the group until 40km below, then they give up. Something isn’t right. At the end of the stage, the omen comes true: Lorenzo begins to show symptoms of gastroenteritis. He can’t eat, every meter is painful, but he doesn’t give up!
STAGE 4 – DON’T GIVE UP
Stage 4 promises to be a struggle: “only” 87km, but if you’re not feeling well, it seems like an eternity. After 5km, they have 5 minutes to go; they’ll arrive late, BUT THEY WILL ARRIVE!
The Boys are close to raising the national flag several times, but Lore is tough, and Nico doesn’t give up. We win and suffer together!
STAGE 5 – IT COULD HAVE BEEN FOR US
Stage 5, the queen stage, was the one circled in red: 120km and 2,800m of climbing. Lore gives it a try and is still ahead at the first split, but without fuel, his energy quickly runs out. Then the rain sets in, and the cold is harsh. Nico sets a good but not excessive pace, and we reach the finish line. The tears are hard to hold back: tears of anger, tears of fatigue, and the desire for revenge.
STAGE 6 – WE HAVE A PLAN
On the day of the sixth stage, everyone at breakfast is as hungry as ever, hungry for revenge. The stage isn’t the best, but we start off uphill; the rain has given way to warm sunshine. Lore’s fitness isn’t yet 100%, but he might be less affected by the outside conditions. The climb starts, and we’re there, the guys are right there in front, then the race explodes, and the battle for the overall jersey splits the group. Nico and Lore exchange glances; if they’re in good shape, they’ll give it a try tomorrow.
STAGE 7 – MEMENTO AUDERE SEMPER
58km and 2,200m of elevation gain, the Grand Finale. The stage everyone dreams of. The morning tactic is clear: Nico must lead the race and Lore must stay with the leaders. Projections call for a reunion within 40km, but the tactic is risky because the riders must stay within a 2-minute gap.
As predicted, former World Champion Gaze attacks, and Nico follows. Lore stays in the group about 30″ behind. On the descent, Lore gains an advantage, trying to use some escapees as a bridgehead. Downhill, he pushes it, pushes it fast. Rocks and dust everywhere, even too much. A rock hits his chain hard and twists a link. He has to stop and adjust. The group passes him, and what could have been a day of revenge presents itself as a new challenge. Nico, alert, stops, waits, and as soon as he sees Lorenzo, they start pulling.
Couple after couple pass, climbing from 19th to ninth place. It could have been more, it should have been more, but in some cases, it’s already a VICTORY!!!
At the finish line, however, there are smiles everywhere. A terrible week is over, but a beautiful week is also over, made of tears and hard work, but also made of experiences and friendships, pats on the back, and words of comfort.
Because in the end, the headwind is a bit like life: no matter how hard it hits, the important thing is to get up and stay strong. United!
Now the Cape is over, Africa must be said goodbye…
But as Ernest Hemingway wrote…
There was only one thing I wanted then: to return to Africa. I hadn’t left it yet, but every time I woke at night, I strained my ears, filled with nostalgia.
Article courtesy of KTM SPADA Powered by BRENTA BRAKES
