Lukas Baum and Georg Egger of Orbea Leatt Speed Company have been a crowd favourite, ever since their debut at the Absa Cape Epic in 2022 which culminated in the overall win. Since then, the German team has been refined and boosted with key partnerships with brands such as Orbea and Leatt. While unconventional to a degree, their fresh approach is also specifically focused and measured.
- Bike check – Ila Stow’s Cape Epic-conquering Liv Pique
- Bike check: Andreas Seewald’s Canyon Lux World Cup Untamed
- Bike check: Anne Terpstra’s Ghost Lector FS
Unfortunately for the Absa Cape Epic’s twentieth edition, their race unravelled towards the end. With extreme heat compounding a stomach bug, Baum was forced to withdraw from the race in the latter stages which was a blow to the team’s GC ambitions.
Pragmatically, Lukas Baum stated that outside of illness he was in some of his best form and reiterated a return for 2025. Thanks to the team’s media manager Moritz ‘MO’ we were able to get closer to Baum’s speed machine, his Orbea Oiz.
Lukas Baum’s Orbea Oiz. Compared to previous seasons the bike is more standardised overall but still carries several tweaks and customisations to suit both rider preference and personality.
A custom Sigma Rox matching the bike and kit design. Lukas’s preferred display shows current, average and maximum power alongside temperature and time.
Possibly the most slammed setup in the field, all for speed and power. Some competitors angle the board for better aerodynamics as its size presents a large wind sail when hammering it out, add in a headwind and the watt saved or missed prove cumulative. During the race, however, we noticed that the board angles weren’t as extreme as pictured.
Topeak Ergon is a sponsor, so it makes sense to spec touch points with its products such as saddles and, pictured here, adjustable thickness silicone grips.
As per previous editions of the Cape Epic, textured bar tape in the centre position allows for aero tucks when needed.
With the SRAM partnership now on board, the RockShox Flight Attendant is in attendance. Lukas runs a slightly softer sag at around 35%.
Schwalbe Racing Ralph rubber front and rear in the ADDIX Speed compound using Schwalbe sealant and sans tyre liners. The tyres line Fulcrum Red Zone Carbon+ wheels. The partnership also brings with it prototype testing.
SRAM XX1 Transmission with a monstrous 38T chainring. Lubed up by Blub, a Spanish range of lubes.
“Fuelled by Nature” German-based nutrition brand MNSTRY provides fueling needs with a range of natural and vegan-based products.
Across both bikes and kit, Speed Company Racing’s collaboration is evident between Orbea and Leatt with their bespoke graphics and leopard-print design.
Nope, it’s not an optical illusion. The Bike Ahead layback seatpost stays on in place of a dropper post.
All business – slammed for low, hard and fast!
Lukas Baum (10-2) and Georg Egger (10-1) at speed during the 2024 Absa Cape Epic.
