In an unprecedented move, the organisers of the Absa Cape Epic have stopped the Paarl-based Stage 3 of the 2025 race prematurely – apparently for safety reasons.
By Sean Badenhorst
The organisers had already shortened the Stage 3 route by 12km (from 90 to 78km) to reduce the risk of heat exposure for the 1437 participants still in the race. Late in the morning, as the temperature soared into the 40s (deg Celsius), the organisers extended the stage cut-off time to 16h50 (from the original 15h50) to accommodate the large number of teams still out on the course. That would give a maximum of 8hrs 45min to complete the route, an hour longer than the planned time limit.
But after scores of riders suffered with heat-related illness, compounded by injuries from crashes on the relatively technical route, the decision was made mid-afternoon to stop riders from proceeding to the finish beyond the third Water Point at 66km. Riders reported seeing temperature readings in excess of 50 degrees Celsius on their GPS devices on the route.
More than 260 riders will get to start Stage 4 after having been stopped at the 66km mark.
This is a developing story. We will update once there is an official statement from the race organisers.
