A mix of surfaces: heading due south, then east towards Gwanishi, across remote semi-desert on smooth open gravel, rough farm tracks and a paved connector.
Stage 5 enters one of the most ecologically diverse corners of the planet: five of South Africa’s seven biomes meet in this part of the Eastern Cape. Riders pass from open semi-arid scrub into dense Albany Thicket, dominated by spekboom (Portulacaria afra), an indigenous wonder plant that captures large amounts of carbon and supports a thriving ecosystem of birds, kudu and other wildlife.
The Route
The profile is deceptive. Stage 5 is a long, rolling day that keeps riders working from start to finish, and a sharp climb at the 107-kilometre mark will hurt tired legs. Weather permitting, the surface should be fast and smooth(ish) as the route follows the Great Fish River basin and crosses host farmer Cole’s dairy lands to a remote finish at the orange windmill. Riders then roll into Gwanishi on a seven-kilometre liaison, as the scrubby Karoo gives way to greener subtropical thicket and another chapter of the journey begins.
The Racing
With the race taking shape, riders out of contention in the general classification are likely to be given the freedom to attack. The relentless rolling roads of the river valleys are prime territory for bold long-range breakaways, forcing category leaders into hard decisions: chase at high speed and spend valuable energy, or let a stage win go and save something for the weekend.
“Elephants rely on spekboom for food, but spekboom relies on them too. When they break it and it falls on the ground, it grows and forms a new plant.”
Into thicket country
Across the dairy lands
Long, rolling power sectors
Spekboom, the carbon miracle
Map and profile
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Burn Camp
Race route
Padstal
Summit
PCToyota Power Climber
KMRed Bull KM
Technical descent
River crossing
Railway crossing
Finish
Paved
Gravel
Liaison
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Padstal
Summit
Technical descent
River crossing
Railway crossing
Finish