Gravel Burn 2025 event guide | Page 45

downhill over the next 80km – a rare
extended descent. But this is where the paradox of the stage emerges. Yes, it’ s downhill and 55 % paved. But the high speeds and long, straight sections demand political skills – strong alliances and cooperation can make a key difference in the condition a rider arrives in at the foot of the final climb. Best is to stay tight in the draft, each do their turn on the front and conserve energy. Concentration is important – missed feeds and poor group dynamics will cost dearly.
The second Padstal gives riders a chance to regroup before the approach to Cradock, and ultimately, the bottom of Swaershoek Pass. The road flattens and the scenery shifts again. The Fish River comes into view, and the route meanders through greener farm country, passing the
STAGE 5
N9
173Om Wapadsberg Pass
Unpaved
Paved
Liaison
Padstal
Summit
BLAAUWATER
MERINO
N10
R61
1616m Swaershoek Pass
R401
N10
R61
occasional game reserve. Ironically, and perhaps cruelly, the riders pass through the lowest point of the day – just before heading up the mighty final climb, Swaershoek Pass.
This is the biggest climb of the week, an 11km effort that starts gently, but hits hard in the final stretch. In the last 5km the road ramps up to 16 % in sections. There is a Padstal shortly after the base, but from there it’ s all business. Riders will need to dig deep and find a good rhythm.
It’ s a summit finish – the only one of the week- and one that will detonate the overall standings. The climb rewards but the final pitch simply requires raw output and to spend what’ s left in the tank after the day’ s high-speed racing.
Stage 5 poses the defining question: how much to burn early to stay in the fast group, and how much to save for the final 3O-45 minutes of climbing? The only thing that’ s certain is that someone will get it wrong and someone will time it perfectly( and they may well have an Assos Ember Orange jersey waiting for them after they roll down to the Burn Camp at Merino Farm.
45 NEDBANK GRAVEL BURN