NEWTON’S QUEEN
STAGE 5
START Oak Valley Estate,
Elgin FINISH University of
Stellenbosch Sports Fields,
Stellenbosch
100 KM 2850
M
CLIMBING
DISTANCE
RATING
156 | MTB | The Untamed African MTB Race
THE ROUTE
Overcoming gravity and fighting to maintain momentum are the orders of the day on the
Queen Stage of the 2019 Absa Cape Epic. Though similar statistically to Stage 3, in reality
Stage 5 is by a considerable distance the toughest stage of the race. Rugged terrain and
brutally steep climbs ensure it has the topography to prove decisive in the battles to be
crowned Kings and Queens of the Absa Cape Epic. Out of Oak Valley the Nuweberg sets
the scene for a challenging day, before the A to Z Trails lead riders to the summit of the
Gantouw Pass. While portaging down, heed the wagon wheel scars cut in the stone and
acknowledge how easy life has become since those pioneers hauled ox-wagons over the
mountains. At the foot of the pass, the hidden Lourensford Valley provides the chance
for on-the-bike recovery before the toughest climb of the race. Snaking its way up the
Helderberg, King’s Climb could work its way into Epic folklore in a single outing. At the
summit the Dimension Data Hotspot awaits, followed by the Land Rover Technical Terrain
– down the scintillating Helderberg Trails singletrack. Four sapping vineyard climbs
separate Helderberg Farm from Stellenbosch, but the Dornier and Mont Marie trails
provide respite in between; before G-Spot caps a day well spent in the mountains.