Cape Town, 16 February 2007: Since its inaugural race in 2004, the Absa Cape Epic has swiftly become an institution in the global mountain bike riding community. As the largest full service, team, mountain bike stage race in the world and the only team stage race to be added to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar, the race annually hosts the world's most accomplished and legendary mountain bike riders. In the 2005 race alone, four of the five top-ranked riders in the world participated in the Absa Cape Epic and, since its opening race, seven out of the world's top ten riders, who are still riding competitively, have entered.

Perfectly timed to end three weeks before the start of the World Cup Cross Country racing season, the international pro's have the opportunity to participate and squeeze in a rest period before the World Cup season begins. The Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas, thus enjoys more participation of the world's top riders than any other stage race. This year, there is a record-breaking total of over forty World Cup wins amongst the top riders participating in the Absa Cape Epic, with Thomas Frischknecht and Christoph Sauser having 28 between just the two of them. “The Absa Cape Epic is, without doubt, the most competitive stage race in the world. This year, for instance, we have Christoph Sauser, Ralph Naef, Bart Brentjens, Greg Minnaar and Thomas Frischknecht competing. The fact that every one of our previous six winners has entered this year, coupled with our best and possibly most challenging route to date, it is clear that this year's race promises to be a real headline-grabber,” says founder Kevin Vermaak.

Swiss-born Christoph Sauser has eleven World Cup wins to his name, an achievement second only to Thomas Frischknecht who has seventeen. With eleven second places in World Cup races and an Olympic bronze medal, Sauser also took the coveted position of Overall World Cup Winner in both 2004 and 2005 and will, in March, be defending his title as 2006 Absa Cape Epic winner.

Seventeen-time World Cup Winner and Olympic medalist Thomas Frischknecht will be partnering with mountain biking legend Tom Ritchey, founder of Ritchey Logic. World Cup Marathon Champion in 2003 and World Cup Cross Country Champion in 1996, Frischknecht will not be competing to win, but is partnering with Ritchey to promote Project Rwanda, Ritchey's own initiative which is structured to benefit the coffee growers in Rwanda by providing them with specially modified bikes for the transportation of their goods.

Bart Brentjens, the 2005 winner of the Absa Cape Epic, Olympic gold medalist with four World Cup wins and the title of Overall World Cup Winner in 1994 will be partnering with fellow Dutch rider Rudy van Houts. Regarded as the world's best marathon mountain bike rider during the mid-nineties, Brentjens' self- admitted strengths lie in his experience and his endurance over long distances.

Ralph Naef, the current reigning UCI World Marathon Champion will be riding this year's Absa Cape Epic in his rainbow jersey – a first for the race and South Africa. He will be partnering with Spanish rider Multivan Meridan team mate Jose Hermida. Multivan Merida has been the top-ranked UCI mountain bike team for two years in a row.

Another coup for the 2007 Absa Cape Epic will be the participation of Greg Minnaar, our country's own downhill superstar. Minnaar will be competing in the Mixed classification with Hannele Steyn-Kotze. Boasting five Downhill World Cup wins, two World Cup Overall Winner titles and being the only mountain biker in history to score UCI points in three different disciplines over one weekend, and partnering with one of South Africa's top female riders, Minnaar and Steyn-Kotze pose a formidable force this year.

The 2007 Absa Cape Epic throws down the gauntlet with a total distance of 886 kilometres and a total climb of 15 045 metres. From 24 March to 31 March, all eyes will be on the Western Cape as the world's top riders vie for position in what is arguably the most competitive and visually exquisite team stage race in the world.

For more information on the riders, the route and the race, visit http://www.cape-epic.com/