20 MARCH 2014, CAPE TOWN – Johannesburg’s Diepsloot Mountain Biking Academy and Team Absa taking part in the Absa Cape Epic, starting this week, rallied behind Cape Town’s drive to become the world’s most sustainable city, whilst preparing for the epic race yesterday. 

Voting in the We Love Cities campaign – an initiative by the World Wildlife Fund to create sustainable cities throughout the world ahead of Earth Hour on 29 March – comes to an end today (20 March).

Actress, activist, humanitarian and motivational speaker, Hlubi Mboya (pictured), is one of the riders in Team Absa. Hlubi, who is originally from the Cape, is a newcomer to the Absa Cape Epic MTB race, which is now in its 11th year, and is partnering with racing driver, Gugu Zulu. 

The other Absa Team riders are:

 ● Ernst Viljoen and Tim Brink

Team Captain Ernst Viljoen (a retired Absa employee) will this year be taking part in his 6th Absa Cape Epic. He will be teaming up with Ride Magazine editor Tim Brink.

● Stefan Terblanche and Joel Stransky

This will be former Springbok and Natal Sharks rugby player Stefan Terblanche’s first Absa Cape Epic. To guide him along the way is another rugby superstar – Joel Stransky – who is one of the longest standing members of Team Absa.

● Owen Hannie and William Mokgopo

Super Cycling and Metro FM presenter Owen Hannie will be attempting his 5th Absa Cape Epic in 2014; he has started four and finished three (2005, 2009 and 2013) as he unfortunately had to withdraw from the race on the penultimate day in 2007. This year Owen is teamed with Diepsloot’s local champion William Mokgopo - two-time Absa Cape Epic finisher and semi-professional mountain biker.

● Clayton Duckworth and Tsepo Nyirenda

2014 will be former pro motocross rider Clayton Duckworth’s 3rd Absa Cape Epic for Team Absa - and this year his eye’s set on an Amabubesi medal. Clayton’s partner is Diepsloot MTB Academy rider Tsepo Nyirenda.

The winner of the We Love Cities contest by WWF will be announced on 27 March. Votes are collected by directly voting on the We Love Cape Town Page or by using #WeLoveCapeTown on social media.