Who will triumph in the 48th Cape Town Cycle Tour? A showdown of stars and champions

Cyclists will take on the iconic peninsula route when the 48th Cape Town Cycle Tour takes place in Cape Town on Sunday. Cape Town’s roads will host a clash of past champions, rising stars and sprint specialists when the 48th Cape Town Cycle Tour takes place on Sunday. Both the elite men’s and women’s races feature deep fields, setting the stage for fast and aggressive racing along the iconic peninsula route.

In the women’s race, former champion Tiffany Keep is the only previous winner on the start list, but newly crowned South African road champion Tyler Jacobs could be the rider to beat. Jacobs has developed a formidable sprint finish, sharpened during mountain bike short-course racing in 2025, making her a dangerous rival if the race ends in a group sprint. That prospect will likely force riders such as Keep, Vera Looser and Hayley Preen to push the pace earlier in the race rather than risk taking Jacobs to the line.

The presence of mountain bike stars Candice Lill and marathon world champion Kate Courtney could also add an attacking edge to the race, potentially splintering the peloton before the final kilometres. Lisa Bone of Cycle Nation Enza Construction will also be among the riders to watch after finishing second to Jacobs at the national road championships. Her team may attempt to control the peloton, but Bone’s recent form suggests she could welcome another showdown with the national champion.

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If the pace remains high throughout the race, the women’s course record of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 18 seconds, set by Pia Grünewald, could come under pressure. In the men’s race, defending champion Tyler Lange returns alongside several former winners and a host of strong contenders. Among those likely to challenge are 2012 winner Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, 2022 champion Marc Pritzen, 2023 title holder Chris Jooste and 2024 winner Kent Main.

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