21 Mar 2022

Botswana’s Mountain Bike (MTB) female champion, Bakang Ebudilwe, of Tsela Riders Cycling club realised her dream of riding in the annual Absa Cape Epic in South Africa on March 20.

The annual Absa Cape Epic takes place every March in Cape Town and the eight days meet includes a time-trial prologue. 

Riders competing in this race must enter as a two-rider team in one of five different categories that include men, women, mixed, masters and grand masters. 

Ebudilwe entered the race in a mixed category, riding with South African William Mokgopo as 1Race Caleo Team.

This year’s race commenced with a 24km time prologue on Sunday in Lourensford Wine Estate, before traversing the Hottentots Holland Mountains to Elandskloof.

 It will finish at Val de Vie Estate where winners will be crowned and recorded in The Book of Legend and claimed on March 27.   

After two stages of riding on the trails of Greyton, the race will head towards the mountain biking hub of Stellenbosch.

 Riders this year will traverse close to 700km of the unspoilt nature of the Western Cape including 15 000m of climbing over some of the most magnificent passes in South Africa.

Ebudilwe has in the past participated in a similar event, the Lesotho Sky which is a six stage MTB race but with less intensity.

 “I have done the Lesotho Sky twice with my partner in Maseru, however it has always been my dream to ride the Absa Cape Epic,” said Ebudilwe.

The rider said lack of sponsorship had been a setback. 

However, this year she was able to acquire sponsorship from different companies such as SEFI, Caleo, Oakley SA and 1Race to realise her dream and passion.

The athletes’ satisfaction, well-being and enjoyment of the Absa Cape Epic race are the organisers’ primary goals, and as a first timer in this gruelling demanding race, Ebudilwe’s goal is to bring home a finisher’s medal. 

“Being able to finish the stages and get a finisher’s medal will be a big thing for me and my country,” she said.

 She said her aim was obviously not to win as she is a first timer. She said with her first time experience, she will know what to expect next time and be able to plan and strategize her riding plan well. 

“This time I will push hard and give it my all, but I will also enjoy and have fun and enjoy the freedom I get from my bike,” Ebudilwe noted. Ends