Maltese Cyclists Etienne Bonello and Marie Claire Aquilina Set for Cape Epic Return

Maltese endurance cyclists Etienne Bonello and Marie Claire Aquilina are heading back to South Africa this March to take on the Absa Cape Epic, determined to complete the world’s toughest mountain bike stage race side by side after last year’s dramatic interruption.

Racing as Team Kalamba Racing, the duo will once again face the eight‑day challenge known as the “Tour de France of mountain biking,” tackling 707 km and nearly 15,900 m of climbing across the Western Cape. The race demands exceptional endurance, teamwork and resilience, with riders competing strictly in pairs.

Their 2025 attempt was cut short when Aquilina suffered a broken sacral bone during Stage 2. She pushed on for two more days before the injury forced her withdrawal, leaving Bonello to finish the race alone. The experience left both riders with a strong sense of unfinished business.

Now, they return with renewed determination. “We’re back to finish what we started together,” Aquilina said. Bonello echoed the sentiment, calling last year’s finish “bittersweet.”

Supported by Kalamba Games, Garmin, Visit Malta and several technical partners, the Maltese pair will face scorching heat, unpredictable weather and brutal climbs all in pursuit of completing the Cape Epic as a team.

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