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TORPADO KENDA FSA’S EPIC CAPE EPIC ADVENTURE: MANITOU R8 SMOOTH
Mar 23, 2026
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Manitou Smooth Paves Pathway to Podium: Torpado Kenda FSA Shines at Cape Epic
The Absa Cape Epic is more than a race. It is eight days of survival, strategy, and relentless pressure across some of the most demanding terrain in the world.
In 2026, the Torpado Kenda FSA team rose to that challenge and delivered a landmark result. After a week defined by dust, fatigue, and intensity, the team secured its first-ever Elite Women podium, finishing third overall in one of the most prestigious events in mountain biking.
Building a Breakthrough
At the center of this achievement was the pairing of Katazina Sosna-Pinele and Giorgia Marchet.
Racing with precision and patience in the early stages, the duo stayed within striking distance of the leaders. As the race unfolded, their consistency and cohesion began to show. A key result in Stage 2 ignited their charge, and from there, they built momentum day after day.
What followed was a calculated and determined rise through the rankings, culminating in a historic third-place finish overall. A result earned not in a single moment, but through sustained performance across every stage.
Highs, Lows, and True Grit
Cape Epic rarely unfolds without adversity.
The Torpado men’s team showed their strength early, with Fabian Rabensteiner and Casey South immediately establishing themselves among the front runners. Strong early-stage results, including a near-podium performance, confirmed their potential to fight for the overall classification before a heavy crash forced an early end to their race.
Similarly, Jakob Dorigoni and Gioele De Cosmo demonstrated impressive pace and commitment, supporting team strategy and delivering standout performances before the cumulative toll of the race brought their campaign to a close.
Across all categories, the team amassed 13 top-10 stage finishes, underlining both depth and competitiveness at the highest level.
Engineered for the Toughest Race on Earth
At Cape Epic, equipment is pushed to its absolute limits. Heat, dust, long distances, and repeated impacts demand not only performance, but unwavering reliability.
For Torpado Kenda FSA, the Manitou R8 proved to be the perfect ally.
Built around Manitou’s Dorado Air spring system, the R8 delivers highly tunable, consistent suspension performance across a wide range of terrain and rider inputs. This allows athletes to fine-tune sensitivity and support, maintaining traction and efficiency whether climbing for hours or attacking technical descents.
The reverse arch design, a hallmark of Manitou engineering, provides exceptional fore-aft stiffness while allowing for improved compliance. The result is precise tracking through rough terrain, better small bump absorption, and increased confidence when conditions become unpredictable.
Light As A Feather, Strong As A Bull
Equally critical at Cape Epic is efficiency. The R8’s lightweight construction reduces overall system weight, minimizing rider fatigue and improving acceleration on climbs where every watt counts. At the same time, its stiff yet responsive chassis ensures sharp, predictable handling, allowing riders to stay in control across high-speed sections, loose terrain, and technical features alike.
Across eight demanding days, the R8 proved itself to be not only fast, but dependable. In a race where mechanical issues can end ambitions instantly, that consistency becomes a decisive advantage.
Performance That Endures
Cape Epic is a test of everything. Fitness, teamwork, strategy, and equipment.
For Torpado Kenda FSA, it was also a breakthrough. A historic podium, a series of standout performances, and a clear demonstration of what is possible when preparation meets execution.
We’re proud to contribute to the performance that makes that journey possible.
Because when the challenge is at its greatest, performance and reliability are everything.
Foto Credit: CAPE EPIC
