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PUTTING THE EPIC IN CAPE EPIC: METALLURGICA VENETA & MANITOU
Mar 23, 2026
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Forged in Adversity: Metallurgica Veneta Battles to a Top 10 at Cape Epic
The Absa Cape Epic is widely regarded as the toughest mountain bike race in the world. A race where preparation meets unpredictability, and where only the most resilient riders and equipment endure.
For the Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team, their debut at the 2026 edition was defined by exactly that.
Adversity came early. Illness in the lead-up to the race left Nicola Taffarel’s participation in doubt, with antibiotic treatment continuing just days before the start. What could have ended the campaign before it began instead became the foundation of something far greater.
Adversity came early. Illness in the lead-up to the race left Nicola Taffarel’s participation in doubt, with antibiotic treatment continuing just days before the start. What could have ended the campaign before it began instead became the foundation of something far greater.
A Race Built on Patience and Progress
From the opening prologue in Durbanville, raced under extreme heat, the team focused on control rather than chaos. A measured start placed them 17th, with the days that followed showing steady progression as strength returned and rhythm developed.
Stage by stage, the duo of Eskil Evensen-Lie and Nicola Taffarel climbed the rankings. Through heat, distance, and punishing terrain, they remained composed, building momentum in a race designed to break it.
Then came the turning point.
Stage by stage, the duo of Eskil Evensen-Lie and Nicola Taffarel climbed the rankings. Through heat, distance, and punishing terrain, they remained composed, building momentum in a race designed to break it.
Then came the turning point.
Rising to the Challenge
Stage 4 signaled a shift. Confidence grew. Positioning improved. The team moved within reach of the top 10.
But it was the queen stage that defined their race.
Over 134 kilometers and 2,750 meters of climbing between Greyton and Stellenbosch, in wet and demanding conditions, the Metallurgica Veneta duo delivered a breakthrough performance. Riding aggressively and intelligently, they spent over two hours in the live broadcast, with Taffarel even pushing at the front of the race alongside the leaders. They finished the stage in 6th place.
A statement ride. And proof that they belonged among the best.
Over 134 kilometers and 2,750 meters of climbing between Greyton and Stellenbosch, in wet and demanding conditions, the Metallurgica Veneta duo delivered a breakthrough performance. Riding aggressively and intelligently, they spent over two hours in the live broadcast, with Taffarel even pushing at the front of the race alongside the leaders. They finished the stage in 6th place.
A statement ride. And proof that they belonged among the best.
Execution When It Matters
From there, the focus shifted to execution.
Managing effort across the final stages, the team rode with maturity and tactical discipline, protecting their position in the overall classification. On the final day, an 8th place stage finish sealed the result.
9th overall at their first Cape Epic.
A top 10 in the toughest race on the planet, earned through resilience, teamwork, and belief.
9th overall at their first Cape Epic.
A top 10 in the toughest race on the planet, earned through resilience, teamwork, and belief.
Suspension You Can Trust
Across seven days of racing in some of the harshest conditions imaginable, equipment is tested as much as the athletes.
For Metallurgica Veneta, the Manitou R8, Mara Pro IL XC, and Jack dropper post proved to be a decisive part of the equation. The R8 fork delivered precision and efficiency across long, technical stages, balancing lightweight performance with the control required for South Africa’s unpredictable terrain. The Mara Pro IL XC ensured consistent rear suspension performance, maintaining traction and composure even as fatigue set in and conditions deteriorated. Together, they created a suspension system that worked seamlessly as a complete package.
Just as importantly, they delivered unwavering reliability.
In a race where mechanical issues can end weeks of preparation in an instant, consistency is performance. Day after day, stage after stage, the system performed without compromise, allowing the riders to focus entirely on execution.
For Metallurgica Veneta, the Manitou R8, Mara Pro IL XC, and Jack dropper post proved to be a decisive part of the equation. The R8 fork delivered precision and efficiency across long, technical stages, balancing lightweight performance with the control required for South Africa’s unpredictable terrain. The Mara Pro IL XC ensured consistent rear suspension performance, maintaining traction and composure even as fatigue set in and conditions deteriorated. Together, they created a suspension system that worked seamlessly as a complete package.
Just as importantly, they delivered unwavering reliability.
In a race where mechanical issues can end weeks of preparation in an instant, consistency is performance. Day after day, stage after stage, the system performed without compromise, allowing the riders to focus entirely on execution.
More Than a Result
Cape Epic is never just about results.
It’s about learning, adapting, and proving what’s possible under pressure.
For Metallurgica Veneta, this debut was not only a top 10 finish, but a clear signal of what lies ahead. With experience gained, confidence built, and performance validated at the highest level, the foundation is set for even greater ambitions.
And we’re proud that Manitou was part of that journey.
Because when the race is at its hardest, performance and reliability matter most.
For Metallurgica Veneta, this debut was not only a top 10 finish, but a clear signal of what lies ahead. With experience gained, confidence built, and performance validated at the highest level, the foundation is set for even greater ambitions.
And we’re proud that Manitou was part of that journey.
Because when the race is at its hardest, performance and reliability matter most.
