This week on The Breakaway, we kick off with the frothiest new idea we’ve had in a while: **SA’s Segment Challenge** — Cape Town’s Chappies culture vs Joburg’s Engen-to-Engen chaos, plus a shout to Durban to send their “we kill each other weekly” segment so we can put it on the show.

Then it’s straight into **Tap-Out Tuesday** energy: sub-10 obsession, perfect wind conditions, lead-out etiquette, and why “it counts” even if you didn’t do it in the ‘right’ spirit.

From there we pivot to the **Big 5 by Imbuko Wines** — record-level performances, Epic implications, and why pacing + self-belief is still the ultimate cheat code. We break down the key moments, the podiums, and what it signals for the Cape Epic build-up.

We also touch the **Cape Epic** shake-up that changes the race narrative overnight, plus a quick detour into road racing and the running check-in.

Drop your segment suggestions (Joburg/Durban/any city), your spiciest banter, and what you want us to cover next.

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00:00 Intro + Episode 7 opens

00:24 Drift detour + tyre price madness

01:07 The “Segments Challenge” (CT vs JHB vs Durban)

03:16 Tuesday Chappies: sub-10 day recap + tactics

10:35 Joburg clapback: Engen-to-Engen vs Chappies + stats

22:20 Durban call-out: send your segment (we’ll feature it)

23:00 Big 5 MTB: Kefenga descent + race takeaways

25:22 Big 5 women’s results + what it means for Epic

31:01 Cape Epic women podium predictions

35:51 Cape Epic drama update

38:45 Big 5 men’s podium + Toyota Specialized team shout

49:47 Can Big 5 become XCM Worlds?

51:05 PPA road racing: “C-batch is the real race” + Jason’s win story

1:02:16 Running check-in + fast half marathon times

1:05:07 Next week tease: Cycle Tour week + Epic prep

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Footnotes / Sources (official links)

1) Big 5 2026 recap + race dynamics: https://www.bicycling.co.za/race-news/course-records-smashed-at-the-2026-big-5-mtb-challenge/

2) Big 5 2026 recap + women’s results + course record time: https://bikenetwork.co.za/results-recap-2026-big-5-by-imbuko-wines-canetsfontein/

3) Big 5 2026 ladies podium (Imbuko Big 5 FB post): https://www.facebook.com/imbukobigfivemtbchallenge/posts/your-2026-ladies-podium-at-the-big-5-mtb-challenge-candice-lill-04h25m54s-greta-/1461632195964214/

4) Big 5 2026 men’s podium (Imbuko Big 5 FB post): https://www.facebook.com/imbukobigfivemtbchallenge/posts/your-2026-mens-podium-at-the-big-5-mtb-challenge-alan-hatherly-03h37m49s-tristan/1461634282630672/

5) Keegan Swenson Cape Epic withdrawal / fractured pelvis report: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/us-gravel-pro-keegan-swenson-breaks-pelvis-after-getting-smoked-by-car-door