Team Absa rider William Mokgopo wins Amabubesi medal

In Zulu, Amabubesi means 'pride of lions' and is the name of the club made up of riders who have completed the Absa Cape Epic at least three times, because it takes the heart of a lion to be able to do this.

Discovered in 2006 by the Diepsloot MTB Academy, the young star is quickly climbing his way to MTB fame. This week, Cycling SA announced that Mokgopo has been selected to represent South Africa in the Elite U23 XCO Team for the MTB XCO World Cup taking place at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal in April this year.

Concluding remarks

This year, Mokgopo partnered with SuperSport and Metro FM presenter Owen Hannie, who completed his fifth Absa Cape Epic yesterday.

On the finish line of the Absa Cape Epic at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West, Western Cape, Mokgopo said of his race experience: "I actually learned that it gets tougher as you go. Fortunately I got stronger as time went by. And it feels really good. Owen Hannie was helping me and encouraging me along the way and I think I redefined my strength. Thanks to Owen and Absa for the opportunity we got this year."

Owen said, "There were plenty of trials and tribulations along the way and we learnt about each other - we have a great partnership. I must say thank you to Absa for giving us this opportunity to ride together and the opportunity to impart some of the information that I've accumulated over the years on to William. I think he's a star in the making."

Team Absa's Owen Hanne and William Mokgopo's overall results:

Owen Hannie and William Mokgopo completed Stage 7 in 4:05.01 - 102nd overall