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THE PROS |
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M |
CHAD HAGA |
F |
CHERISE WILLEIT |
M |
DANIEL BONELLO |
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12 |
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64 |
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38 |
Team: FELT Racing DOB: 26 August 1988 | Age: 37 Top results: stage winner 2019 Giro d’ Italia; 2nd 2018 TTT World Championships; 2nd 2024 Unbound 200
“ Helping Tom Dumoulin win the 2017 Giro d’ Italia and get 2nd at the 2018 Giro and Tour de France was the pinnacle of my role as a domestique. I plan to race hard and my ultimate goal is to win! I also want to enjoy time off the bike with fellow competitors as we finish the season.”
Team: Toyota Specialized DOB: 06 November 1989 | Age: 35 Top results: 2023 SA Gravel Champion; 5x winner Cape Town Cycle Tour
“ I’ m looking forward to the adventure and the feeling of being free; and I aim to finish with a smile. I’ m excited for the journey of self reflection and pushing my boundaries.”
Team: EBS-Ciclos Oleka DOB: 11 November 1986 | Age: 38 Top results: 1st 2022 Tour of Malta; 1st 2024 Ranxo 100; 1st 2021 La Santa Vall
“ My key goal is to beat Peter Schermann! I’ m excited to see wildlife; and Dan Craven on a motorbike!”
M |
DRIKUS COETZEE |
M |
GEORG EGGER |
F |
GINA RICARDO |
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36 |
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22 |
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76 |
Team: Hollard Namibia DOB: 15 April 1993 | Age: 32 Top results: Multiple Namibian Road + Time Trial Champion; 3rd 2025 Atlas Mountain Race
“ I can’ t wait to ride on the unique routes Nedbank Gravel Burn has to offer – out in the wild, surrounded by nature, where every pedal stroke feels like part of an adventure. My goal is simply to enjoy every moment. If the opportunity presents itself, I’ d love to sneak in a stage win along the way.”
Team: Speed Company Racing DOB: 22 March 1995 | Age: 30 Top results: 1st 2022 Cape Epic; 1st 2022 + 2023 Mediterranean Epic; 2x U23 German XCO Champion; 2nd 2023 Cape Epic
“ Winning the Cape Epic with Lukas Baum in 2022 on our first attempt, as part of our own, newly founded team is a major career highlight. Now I’ m looking forward to my first stage race on a gravel bike. I’ d like to play a role in the front of the field and, if possible, aim for a top position.”
Team: Praties Cycling Team DOB: 02 May 1994 | Age: 31 Top results: 1st 2025 Grafton to Inverell; 2nd Chicago Grit Criterium Series; 2019 Australian Gravel Champion
“ I’ m looking forward to beautiful scenery, the camaraderie and adventure. This is going to be my last race for a while so I plan to just soak in the scenery and enjoy it. Gravel racing is hard, and doing it for seven straight days will be a challenge no matter your fitness!”
M |
GRIFFIN EASTER |
F |
HALEY SMITH |
F |
HAYLEY PREEN |
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34 |
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68 |
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61 |
Team: OpiCure Foundation p / b Orbea and Castelli SOG DOB: 06 November 1991 | Age: 33 Top results: 1st 2024 Gravel Earth Series Ranxo( 2nd overall in series); 1st 2024 Transcordilleras; stage winner 2017 La Vuelta a Colombia
“ My brother Cullen and I founded The OpiCure Foundation to showcase the bicycle as a tool for opioid use recovery. It’ s a privilege to be part of this event. I can’ t wait to race the beautiful terrain. I’ ll leave a little in the tank in case I meet a wild animal.”
Team: Trek Driftless DOB: 22 November 1993 | Age: 31 Top results: Olympian; 1st overall 2022 Life Time Grand Prix Series; 1st 2025 Migration Gravel; 4th 2024 Unbound Gravel 200; 3rd 2019 XCO World Cup
“ I love pushing myself to my limit, being locked in the tight battles of racing and exploring new places by bike. I’ m looking forward to spicy racing and the laidback vibes after each stage. I’ d love to win, but whatever the results, I want to be fully‘ in’ every day.”
Team: Team ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers DOB: 28 May 1998 | Age: 27 Top results: 5x SA Champion( Road, Gravel, Crit + TT); 2025 African Gravel Champion; 3rd 2025 Cape Epic; 12th 2022 Commonwealth Games
“ I would love to finish on the podium. I’ m a little scared of the rough roads, but I’ m excited to ride through places that I have never been to before and am looking forward to the Burn Camps after each stage.”
64 NEDBANK GRAVEL BURN