Some Races Test Endurance. Others Test Willpower.
The Absa Cape Epic does both... and then some. From March 16 to 23, 2025, riders will face 608 kilometers of untamed trails and 16,500 meters of relentless climbing through South Africa’s Western Cape. This isn’t just a race; it’s survival on two wheels.
And this year, Keegan Swenson isn’t going it alone. He’s teaming up with none other than three-time Cape Epic champion Matt Beers to take on the beast together.
A Race That Devours the Weak
The Cape Epic isn’t just tough, it’s mythological. Loose dirt turns to sand traps, climbs that stretch to the horizon, and the sun burns away any illusion of comfort. Riders start each morning with their bodies already wrecked from the day before, legs screaming, minds teetering on the edge of surrender. But there’s no room for weakness.
To make things even more brutal, the course changes every year. No two editions are the same, meaning every rider, rookie or veteran, steps onto an even playing field of suffering.
This isn’t a solo mission. Teams of two take on the course together, bound by a rule as brutal as the terrain itself: if your partner cracks, your race is over. Swenson’s success isn’t just about watts or VO2 max, it’s about trust, strategy, and knowing that the person next to you can suffer just as beautifully as you can.
The Ultimate Team-Up: Swenson & Beers
Keegan Swenson and Matt Beers are riding under the team name Outride-Toyota-Songo. It’s a dream partnership that brings together two of the strongest forces in off-road racing. Beers, a South African powerhouse, has won the Cape Epic three times. He knows the terrain, the suffering, and exactly what it takes to win. Swenson? He’s an XC and gravel juggernaut, a three-time Lifetime Grand Prix champion, king of Leadville, ruler of Unbound Gravel, destroyer of the White Rim FKT, and a master of pushing limits.
Swenson and Beers are also racing in partnership with Outride, a nonprofit dedicated to getting more kids on bikes. "I'm stoked to represent Outride and the work they do to get more kids on bikes," says Swenson. "Cycling has been such a huge part of my life, so being able to race for a cause that shares that passion is an honor. We’re here to win, but it's awesome to know we're riding for something bigger than ourselves."
The Tannus Advantage
One big aspect of Swenson’s setup is Tannus Tubeless inserts. The invisible advantage that keeps him charging full-speed into the unknown. More control, fewer flats, and the confidence to hammer descents without fear.
Swenson called Tannus his "secret weapon" long before we knew he was even riding them. He’s a fan of our Gravel Insert and views Tannus as a partner, collaborating to develop the best inserts on the market. In an eight-day war like the Cape Epic, that edge can mean everything. Because this race is about suffering smarter.
Where to Watch the Madness Unfold
The Cape Epic is an Odyssey. A trial by fire, a reckoning of will, a stage where legends either rise or crumble into dust. And for Swenson and Beers, it’s a chance to etch their names into history together.
Want to witness the chaos? The 2025 ABSA Cape Epic will be broadcast live on the Epic Series website, YouTube, and the Epic Series app. Track riders in real time, feel the heartbreak of mechanicals, and watch the final sprints that define careers. This is pain, glory, and history in the making.
Want to see the course? Watch this video to see how Epic it really is!
