Capetonian Candice Lill and Swiss partner Alessandra Keller dominated the women’s race at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic Prologue, finishing 56 seconds clear of the chasing teams at Meerendal, Durbanville, on Sunday, 15 March 2026.
The Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi pairing led at every checkpoint over the 20km course, with 650m of climbing, as temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius on parts of the route. Lill, who has finished second five times in six Cape Epic starts, said the stage result set the tone for the week ahead.
“We had a good team chat beforehand and we were well aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Lill said.
“It makes me excited for the next seven days. The Prologue doesn’t win the race, but it puts us on the front foot and now others must chase.”
2026 ABSA Cape Epic Prologue Leader, Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi’s Candice Lill
XCC Short Track World Champion Keller was upbeat after a near-flawless ride. “We had a plan and a strategy, and we fully committed to it. Our communication was good and now we must make sure we play our cards right over the next seven days,” Keller said.
Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) finished second, 56 seconds back, with Rosa Van Doorn and Vera Looser (Buff-BH Efficient Infiniti) third.
In the Toyota Mixed category, Jenny Rissveds and Simon Andreassen (Team 69) took the stage win in 52:20.6, ahead of Gabriela Ferolla and Hugo Prado Neto (Scott Brasil) in second and Marta Tora Mila and Nicholas Roche (Kxngs / Pump for Peace) in third.
Among the Absa African Women, Samantha Sanders and Bianca Haw (Sani2C Efficient Infiniti) led the standings, with Ila Stow and Cherise Willet (Fortress Toyota) second and Kelsey Van Schoor and Anri Greeff (Pirtek Hollard) third.
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The Open Women category was won by Hilary Bell and Joanne Tallon (Pump for Peace – Townsville Gals), ahead of Jennifer Burtner and Callah Robinson (Joy Ride) and Jacky Shipena and Jana Von Backstrom (Sheuntamed Namibia). Stage 1 of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic takes place in Montagu on Monday over 90km with 2150m of climbing.
Elite Women Prologue Results for the 2026 Absa Cape Epic on Sunday, 15 March, 2026
Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi: Candice Lill & Alessandra Keller (51:24.6)
She Sends Foundation: Kate Courtney & Greta Seiwald (52:21.4 | +56.8)
Buff-BH Efficient Infiniti: Rosa Van Doorn & Vera Looser (53:33.9 | +2:09.3)
Symbtech.net: Margot Moschetti & Claudia Peretti (54:11.8 | +2:47.2)
Chemchamp Honeycomb: Hayley Preen & Haley Smith (54:30.6 | +3:06.0)
Toyota Mixed
Team 69: Jenny Rissveds & Simon Andreassen (52:20.6)
Scott Brasil: Gabriela Ferolla & Hugo Prado Neto (56:19.5 | +3:58.9)
Kxngs / Pump for Peace: Nicholas Roche & Marta Tora Mila (56:23.3 | +4:02.7)
Absa African Women
Sani2C Efficient Infiniti: Samantha Sanders & Bianca Haw (54:41.0 | +3:16.4 to 1st overall)
Fortress Toyota: Ila Stow & Cherise Willet (57:59.5 | +3:18.5 | 10th)
Pirtek Hollard: Kelsey Van Schoor & Anri Greeff (58:07.2 | +3:25.2 | 12th)
Open Women
Pump for Peace – Townsville Gals: Hilary Bell & Joanne Tallon (1:11:01.0)
Joy Ride: Jennifer Burtner & Callah Robinson (1:15:13.6 | +4:12.6)
Sheuntamed Namibia: Jacky Shipena & Jana Von Backstrom (1:16:30.4 | +5:29.4)
Original Copy: The Epic Series Global MTB, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi) lead the women’s Prologue of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic from start to finish, crossing the line 56 seconds ahead of Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) in brutal 40-degree heat at Meerendal, Durbanville, on Sunday, 15 March 2026. All Photos: Nick Muzik / The Epic Series Global MTB
Photo 2 Caption: Five-time runner-up Candice Lill and XCC Short Track World Champion Alessandra Keller signal their intent for the 2026 Absa Cape Epic.
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