Namibian rider and 2025 Sportswoman of the Year winner Vera Looser will team up with Rosa van Doorn of the Netherlands under the banner Buff-BH Efficient Infiniti at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic, scheduled to take place from 15 to 22 March in South Africa’s Western Cape.
The gruelling eight-day mountain bike stage race will span approximately 692 kilometres (km), with an elevation gain of around 15 900 metres (m), and will traverse iconic cycling regions including Durbanville, Montagu, and Stellenbosch.
Two of the world’s most accomplished marathon racers, Looser and van Doorn, will combine for the first time, with Looser aiming to secure her second Absa Cape Epic title.
The women’s field is expected to be highly competitive, featuring several formidable pairings. These include Lejla Njemčević of the Bosnia team, who will partner with Faranak Partoazar of Iran, and Monica Calderon of Colombia, who will partner with Tessa Kortekaas of the Netherlands.
South Africa’s Hayley Preen will race alongside American Haley Smith, with local duo Samantha Sanders and Bianca Haw also in action.
Other notable combinations include Americans Kate Courtney and Melisa Rollins, as well as Candice Lill of the South Africa teaming up with Switzerland’s Alessandra Keller.
Namibia will have further representation as Anri Greeff is set to make her Absa Cape Epic debut, pairing up with South African rider Kelsey van Schoor.