Shannon Valstar on Running the World’s Toughest MTB Race

What does it take to run the world’s biggest mountain bike stage race? In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Valstar, race director of the Absa Cape Epic, to unpack her journey from growing up around endurance sport to leading one of the most iconic events in cycling. From behind-the-scenes logistics and creative event strategy to lessons from Paul Valstar and the influence of festivals like Rocking the Daisies, this conversation dives deep into what makes great events truly unforgettable.# === CHAPTERS ===================================00:00 – Introduction to Shannon Valstar & the Epic Series03:45 – Growing Up Around Endurance Sport06:20 – What the Cape Epic Race Director Actually Does10:05 – Why Rider Feedback Is So Important14:10 – Lessons From Her Father & Loving What You Do19:30 – School, Sport & Finding a Career Path23:40 – Big Shot Media & Discovering Event Storytelling30:15 – Joining Cape Epic & Learning Logistics From the Ground Up33:45 – Building the Stellenbosch World Cup35:50 – Leaving Cycling for the Music Festival Industry43:20 – Returning to Cape Epic With a New Perspective47:10 – Cape Town vs Joburg & Creative Culture50:00 – Rocking the Daisies Stories & Secret Festival Stages55:45 – Why Events Need Creativity & Constant Innovation57:50 – Formula 1, Drive to Survive & the Future of Sports Storytelling# === LISTEN ON THE GO ===========================Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699# === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO =========================Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1Website: https://activehobo.com/Instagram: @theactivehoboStrava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b# === THE CREW ===================================Dave @davlewjenkins# === WORK WITH US ===============================Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.comSend a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com#ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling