The Absa Cape Epic is an annual challenging eight-day MTB ride through South Africa’s Cape winelands region that draws riders from across the globe. The 2019 event takes place from 17 to 24 March and Qhubeka is once again an official charity partner.
One of the teams riding for us is Team Devonbosch, which came about after two riders from Belgium, Mark Verhofste and Filip Van Poucke, rode the Epic and raised money for Qhubeka in 2017. They requested entries a full year in advance for the 2019 entry so as to give themselves enough time to prepare and organise their fundraising efforts.
Team Devonbosch comprises six amateur and two professional riders, who are aiming to bring in 35Â 000 Euros for Qhubeka together. This year they will have a support team behind them and will be setting up a mini Qhubeka Village within the support village.
The amateur riders are Marc Verhofste, Philip Van Poucke, Jean Marie de Buck van Overstraeten, Frederik Dhondt, Gunther Biddelo, and Bart Cocquyt, while the pros are HB Kruger and Frans Claes. Team Devonbosch will also have a Belgian TV crew following them.
“The six of us are very excited to start this fantastic challenging race, but at the same time we’re all humble with fear for the long and steep stages,” says Mark. “Our jerseys are final as well – very good creative work from Filip with the help of BioRacer, also one of our sponsors.”
The team has organised various fundraising events for Qhubeka, including a two-hour biking communal session on the indoor bike-track in Ghent in Belgium.
We wish Team Devonbosch all the best for the Epic and will be cheering them on, along with our other Qhubeka charity teams and supporters.