Toyota South Africa Motors celebrates winners’ triumph at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic
Toyota South Africa Motors celebrates winners’ triumph at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) proudly concludes another successful year as the Absa Cape Epic’s Official Vehicle and Route Partner. From 15 to 22 March, TSAM played an integral role in delivering a world-class experience both on and off the trails, while celebrating exceptional performances by the Toyota-backed riders.
Driving the Epic Experience
Toyota’s partnership in the race ensured the seamless execution of this globally renowned event. As the Official Vehicle Partner, Toyota provided a fleet that supported race operations, logistics and technical teams across challenging terrain.
As Official Route Partner, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado once again proved its capability, transporting guests on exclusive Luxury Route Tours to remote and rugged vantage points, offering unforgettable access to the race’s most dramatic moments.
Toyota also continued its sponsorship of the Mixed category, awarding the iconic green jersey to the leading male-and-female teams throughout the race. In addition, the daily Toyota Tough Sections tested riders across some of the most demanding segments of the route, reinforcing Toyota’s association with durability and resilience.
Historic Victory for Toyota-Backed Riders
The 2026 edition will be remembered as a milestone for South African cycling, led by a historic triumph from the Toyota Specialized Imbuko team of Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje. In a defining moment of the race, Beers and Nortje claimed overall victory in the Elite Men’s category, becoming the first all South African team in 22 years to win the title in the event’s history.
Despite facing mechanical and physical challenges during the week, the duo consistently remained in contention. Their perseverance paid off as they secured the overall win by just over one minute, an exceptionally narrow margin in a race of this magnitude.
Backed by Rola Toyota and Toyota South Africa Motors, Candice Lill delivered one of the most commanding performances in recent Absa Cape Epic history. Racing in the Elite Women’s category alongside Alessandra Keller as part of the Thömus Maxon Sabi-Sabi team, she stood on the podium every single day of the race, claiming first place in 7 of the 8 stages. This dominant display not only secured the overall title but also reinforced her position as one of the leading figures in women’s mountain biking globally.
Marco Joubert and Travis Stedman of Toyota Specialized Imbuko delivered a consistently strong performance to finish 6th overall in a highly competitive Elite Men’s field. Their race was characterised by steady pacing and tactical awareness, allowing them to remain within the top tier throughout the week. A standout highlight came on Stage 7, where the pair surged to an impressive second-place finish on the day.
Also donning their Toyota Specialized Imbuko jerseys, Jaedon Terlouw and Lood Goosen demonstrated their growth on the international stage, finishing 17th overall. Competing in one of the toughest editions of the race, the duo gained valuable experience while maintaining consistency across stages.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing team of Sarah Maré & Riaan Weideman delivered a strong performance throughout the race, however, withdrew at the end of Stage 4 due to Sarah’s health concerns. Maré, who had been battling illness, showed courage until the end and we wish her a quick recovery. Their withdrawal underscores the extreme physical demands of the Absa Cape Epic and highlights the importance of athlete wellbeing.
Toyota South Africa Motors will award all Toyota sponsored riders that crossed the finish line R50,000 following their standout performance; a fitting reward for riders who conquered one of the toughest races on the global calendar.
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