Ironman announced Thursday that it has purchased the eight-day Asaba Cape Epic mountain bike stage race, a South African event, which has been running since 2004.

Ironman was acquired by Dalian Wanda Group who took over the Ironman triathlon brand in late 2015. Besides, Dalian Wanda Group also purchased Infront Sports & Media, a world leading sports agency that has links with a number of rights holders of cycling events.”

These acquisitions reflected Wanda Sports’s effort to move into the cycling events space.

The Cape Epic is an iconic, world-class event that many consider the most prestigious mountain bike race in the world. This acquisition shows the commitment of IRONMAN and Wanda Sports to growing mass participation events worldwide.

Every year, in late March, the Cape Epic attracts top European professionals and a field of 1,300 racers, organized in teams of two, to tackle the 700 kilometre race. The next race will be held from the 19th to 26th March 2017.

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin