The Eastern Cape changes fast: in less than 20 kilometres the landscape turns from arid semi-desert to temperate bushveld. Crossing the finish line at the windmill is the culmination of an African gravel adventure, celebrated with fire dancers, roaring fires and a bond with the land and the gravel community that lasts a lifetime.
The Route
The final stage brings the journey to a breathtaking end. Having started the week on the dry plains around Graaff-Reinet, riders are well and truly in game country, with one last challenge to go. After six days in the Karoo, the climbs to Founder’s Gate and Assegaai will hurt more than the profile suggests. Yet beyond Assegaai the air seems purer, the sky bluer and the scents of the wild stronger, as riders savour the final gravel kilometres to the line at the orange windmill and their finisher medal.
The Racing
The final clash decides two podiums: the general classification and the last stage win. Category leaders will defend their hard-won advantages with everything they have left. The climbing starts early, with the Toyota Power Climb to Founder’s Gate inside the first ten kilometres, and the hills keep coming, so a bunch sprint is unlikely. Expect pure attrition, with only the strongest and wiliest riders left at the front to fight for the stage.
“At the finish line celebrating my first race finish in South Africa, I immediately wanted to come back. Despite being completely exhausted, I didn’t even want it to finish.”
Shamwari, one last loop
The finisher medal
The Burn Celebration
Fire dancers at the finish party
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