Custom Accent Super Hero ready for Paweł Bernas’ African Adventure at the Absa Cape Epic 2026!
Soon, the eyes of the mountain biking world will turn to South Africa. Dust, rocky climbs and hundreds of kilometres of demanding trails – Absa Cape Epic has long been regarded as one of the toughest challenges in mountain biking.
In the 2026 edition, Paweł Bernas will line up at the start of this legendary race, taking on the African stages aboard a specially prepared Accent Super Hero featuring a custom paint scheme inspired by the African vibe. The bike has been built with a top-tier race configuration, designed specifically for multi-day competition in extreme conditions.
A RACE THAT TESTS MORE THAN YOU THINK
Cape Epic is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious MTB stage races in the world. It’s an event that tests not only riders’ physical fitness, but also their mental resilience, technical skills and ability to perform in extreme conditions.
The routes lead through the demanding trails of the Western Cape region of South Africa. Rocky climbs, fast descents, technical singletracks and high temperatures make every stage a true test for both riders and their equipment.
The race holds the highest hors catégorie status awarded by the UCI, and thanks to its global broadcast coverage it is also the most televised mountain bike race in the world. For many riders, the reward for conquering this challenge is a place in the famous Book of Legends – a symbolic register of riders who have completed one of the toughest mountain bike races on the planet.
8 DAYS OF EPIC RACING | TOTAL 692 KM | 15,900 M OF CLIMBING
The 2026 edition once again promises to be extremely demanding. The race route covers approximately 692 kilometres, with nearly 16,000 metres of total elevation gain.
The race lasts eight days – starting with a short and intense prologue followed by seven stages across varied and demanding terrain. Each day brings new challenges: long climbs, technical trail sections and fast descents that leave no room for mistakes.
In conditions like these, not only rider fitness matters, but also properly prepared equipment.
ACCENT SUPER HERO - CAPE EPIC EDITION
Speaking of equipment, the spotlight naturally turns to the Super Hero built in a top-tier race configuration on a frame featuring a custom paint scheme with our original graphic design. The bold colour palette reflects the spirit of the race and creates a machine that looks just as fast as it rides in demanding terrain.
The bike has been assembled in a configuration tailored for multi-day racing in harsh conditions. Here is the specification:
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frame: Accent Super Hero – custom paint inspired by African colours, paintwork by Bike In Color
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suspension: front FOX 34 Factory, rear shock FOX Float Factory with custom tuning
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drivetrain: Shimano XTR Di2
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wheels: Shimano XTR
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tires: Vittoria Peyote 2.4"
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dropper post: FOX Transfer Factory
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bike assembly and preparation: Podzor Bike Service
Every component in this build was chosen with maximum performance, control and reliability in mind — factors that are absolutely crucial at the Cape Epic.
Our Super Hero lineup is available in 3 cool configurations — will you find your perfect one?
SOME POLISH ACCENTS AT THE START LINE – DAILY RIVALS JOIN FORCES!
Cape Epic also stands out for its team racing format. Riders compete in two-person teams and must complete the course together while staying within a short distance of each other. This means partners share the effort throughout the race, support each other in difficult moments and fight together for results on every stage. It will certainly be an exciting clash of titans.
In the 2026 edition, Paweł Bernas will team up with Krzysztof Łukasik, one of Poland’s most accomplished MTB marathon riders. It’s a duo that combines extensive racing experience with a very high competitive level. Daily, however, Paweł and Krzysztof are fierce rivals in domestic races. Will they join forces to achieve the best possible result this time?
One thing is certain – Accent Super Hero is ready for this challenge just as much as our Polish riders.
We’ll bring you full race coverage here
– from March 15 to 22, 2026, a new vlog will be published daily on our YouTube channel at 20:00
