Cape Epic mountain bike race – in pictures

One of the two-man teams compete in the opening prologue time-trial Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Riders climb the first major climb on stage one. The world's top professionals and amateurs compete side by side in teams of two across five categories Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Spain's former world champion, Jose Hermida, left, and the Netherlands' Rudi van Houts, right, celebrate winning stage one. The two-person teams have to stick together for the entire race and should finish at the same time Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

The bunch relax on a brief road section on the second stage Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

The second stage took the riders into the Koue Bokkeveld, which is known for its unusual sandstone formations Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Stage three saw the riders complete a 94km figure-of-eight loop around the Saronsberg Wine Estate Photograph: KIM LUDBROOK/EPA

Trevor Boddington of South Africa crosses a stream during stage four from Saronsberg in Tulbagh to Wellington Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Riders pass through a wooded section on stage four Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Jan Motshoia of the Exxaro Accenture Academy team dismounts to tackle a ramp as local children watch Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

An aerial view of riders competing on stage four Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Swiss world champion, Nino Schurter, riding for Scott-Swisspower MTB-Racing, injects a little style into proceedings with a kick-out over a small jump Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

The professional peleton lead the rest of the 1,100 riders in stage five Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Stage six winners, Switzerland's Christoph Sauser, left, and the Czech Republic's Jaroslav Kulhavy riding for Burry Stander-SONGO ride through a tunnel Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

The leaders round a hairpin bend during stage six, which contained 2,950m of vertical ascent Photograph: KIM LUDBROOK/EPA

The race, which is considered the 'Tour de France of mountain biking', sees 1,200 riders take on 698km of racing Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Competitors ride through the cloud of fine dust kicked up by the bunch's tyres Photograph: Kimn Ludbrook/EPA

Portugal's Valerio Ferreira, right, proposes to his girlfriend Cecilia Carpinteiro on the finish line after the final, seventh stage Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA