If the results of the Absa Cape Epic are any indication, Maxxis’ top sponsored riders are ready for the World Cup! Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller of Ghost Factory Racing won every stage and the overall of the women’s, and Nino Schurter (Scott SRAM), riding with the World Bicycle Relief Team, took second in the men’s.

Doing well at the UCI Cape Epic, based in South Africa’s rugged Western Cape, is no easy feat. Riders scale 16,000 meters of climbing and cover more than 600 kilometers over eight days in what organizers say is the most televised bike race in the world.

Nino’s Cape Epic efforts also served as prep for his Olympic cross country season. “I just love to race the Cape Epic and believe it’s just what I need to be ready for the World Cup soon after. We will try to take the fund raising for World Bicycle Relief to the next level with a serious campaign,” Nino said.

World Bicycle Relief works in rural regions of the world, offering specially built, locally assembled bicycles to people who would otherwise walk miles every day just to obtain everyday, vital services. To date, the organization has delivered around 792,000 bikes, empowering 3.9 million people, including health care workers who can expand the number of people they help and young students who might otherwise be unable to attend schools.

Photos: NICK MUŽÍK, Max Sullivan, Cape Epic