With the Absa Cape Epic now beyond its halfway point, teams are beginning to fine-tune their strategies as the race intensifies. Stage 4, based around Greyton, was shorter than the previous day’s gruelling 140km, covering 87km, but remained highly demanding with a series of technical climbs offering little room for recovery.

Mark Bonnici and Luke Borg (Epic Team Deloitte) were once again the first Maltese team across the line, finishing in 4:58:57.3.

Reflecting on the stage, Borg described it as a welcome change following the previous day’s effort. Improved weather conditions and sunshine in the closing kilometres helped lift spirits, as the team continues to recover from recent illness and rebuild energy levels.

“It was a beautiful stage with rolling hills. Even though it was shorter, it actually had more elevation than yesterday — but overall, a nice breather,” he said.

Team Gaudos (Stephen Grima and Brandon Sultana) followed in 5:04:24.8, describing the course as a true mountain biking test.

“It was a fantastic stage — proper mountain biking with incredible trails, plenty of climbing and descending, and even some muddy sections. Despite being shorter, it was still very tough,” Grima noted.

The duo emphasised their focus on consistency and long-term objectives, aiming to steadily improve their standings while ensuring they reach the finish.

“It’s not just about positions — the main goal is to cross the finish line and earn that medal,” he added.

Looking ahead, Team Gaudos also have their sights set on the Amabubesi Finisher Club — an exclusive group for riders who have completed the Absa Cape Epic three or more times. The club, whose name means “pride of lions” in Zulu, recognises this achievement with special honours.

“That’s our long-term goal, and hopefully we can be the first Maltese team to achieve it,” Grima said.

Team Kalamba Racing (Etienne Bonello and Marie Claire Aquilina) delivered another composed and tactically disciplined performance on a stage that combined fast-flowing trails with punishing climbs.

The early pace was high, with riders pushing through dusty conditions before tackling steep ascents packed with tight switchbacks. One of the standout challenges was the climb towards the so-called “UFO”, which tested both physical strength and technical ability.

In a strategic move, the team opted to skip the final feed zone to gain time on a closely matched rival — a decision that highlighted their competitive intent. They went on to finish 21st on the stage, maintaining 22nd place overall in the general classification.

Bonello underlined the importance of resilience, noting that maintaining morale was crucial. Drawing on experience from last year, he continued to encourage his teammate, reinforcing a calm and controlled approach despite the demands of the course.

Attention now turns to the highly anticipated Queen Stage — widely regarded as the toughest and most decisive test of the race. Riders will face a demanding 134km route from Greyton to Stellenbosch, featuring a punishing 2,750 metres of elevation gain.

While Stage 4 offered a brief opportunity to recover, teams will need to make the most of it as they prepare for another gruelling day in the saddle.