We told you about the Cape Epic a little while ago – it’s a 700km, eight-day team MTB stage race, along the lines of the legendary TransAlp. The start is on 28 February 2004, and international entries (that’s anyone not in South Africa) are open now. In fact, they’re half full already so if you want to take part you’d best get a move on…

The entry fee is €670 (£470) per rider or €1340 (£940) per team. That includes pretty much everything you’ll need both before, during and after the race – transfers, pre-race hotel accommodation, breakfast and evening meal during the race itself and all sorts of other goodies. Pretty much all you need to do is get yourself to Cape Town.

Entries are on-line only at www.cape-epic.com.