Race Shape › Races › Absa Cape Epic
Cycling · Western CapeAbsa Cape Epic training plan
The Absa Cape Epic is 60 km in Western Cape, next held on 21 March 2027. A 21-week block for it starts on Monday 26 October 2026. Race-day targets below come from the same engine that writes the plan.
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The race
| Distance | 60 km |
|---|---|
| Where | Western Cape |
| Altitude | 300 m |
| Next edition | Sunday, 21 March 2027 (expected — not yet confirmed with the organiser) |
Eight days of mountain biking, ridden in pairs. A stage race, not a one-day event.
Not yet confirmed by the organiser, so it is shown as expected rather than fact. Last checked 2026-09-11. Check the official entry page before booking anything.
Your calendar to race day
A 21-week block, laid out against the 21 March 2027 race date:
| Block starts | Monday 26 October 2026 — week 1 |
|---|---|
| Harder sessions arrive | Monday 21 December 2026 — week 9 |
| Peak weeks begin | Monday 15 February 2027 — week 17 |
| Taper begins | Monday 1 March 2027 — week 19 |
| Race day | Sunday, 21 March 2027 |
Volume rises no more than 10% a week and every fourth week is lighter. The full week-by-week table for this distance is on the distance page.
Race-day targets
| The race | 5:41/km for the first third, then hold or lift Start slower than feels right. On a long day the race does not begin until two thirds in, and every place lost in the first hour comes back. Nothing lost in the last hour ever does. |
|---|
Worked out for a club athlete on 45 km a week with a 1:55 half marathon behind them. Yours come from your own time trial.
Common questions
When should I start training for the Cape Epic?
For a 21-week block, on Monday 26 October 2026. Starting later still works — the plan shortens the base phase to fit — but inside about six weeks the block stops being able to add fitness and becomes about arriving healthy.
Does altitude matter at the Cape Epic?
Not for coastal athletes. At 300 m there is no correction to make. Athletes who train at altitude, in Gauteng or the Free State, should expect the same effort to produce a quicker pace on the day.
What should I know about the Cape Epic?
Eight days of mountain biking, ridden in pairs. A stage race, not a one-day event.