M |
HUGO DRECHOU
28
|
F |
IRINA LÜTZEL- SCHWAB
7O
|
M |
ISMAEL VENTURA
51
|
Team: Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste DOB: 31 May 1991 | Age: 34 Top results: 1st 2023 Roc d’ Azur MTB; 2020 + 2024 French XCM Champion; 1st 2024 Oregon Trail Gravel
“ I spent my early career in XCO before going into marathon racing in 2020 and competing in events like the Cape Epic. I took up gravel racing in 2024 and I’ ve really missed stage races, so I’ m excited for this one. Going back to South Africa is going to be a real joy. I’ d love a stage win for a good end to my season.”
Team: Bulls DOB: 18 December 1995 | Age: 29 Top results: 2023, 2024 + 2025 Swiss XCM Champion; 3rd 2025 UCI GWS La Monsterrato; 3rd 2025 UCI GWS Grit’ n Grind
“ It will be my first gravel stage race and I’ m excited about the route and the landscape, but also about the camp and the community. I want to perform at my best and enjoy every moment.”
Team: ESMTB. com DOB: 20 October 2025 | Age: 43 Top results: 2017 Spanish XCM Champion; 1st 2024 MTB Lanzarote; 2nd 2013 Brasil Ride
“ I’ m keen to discover the stage race format in gravel; I achieved many of my best MTB results in this format. I like that the course is varied and offers opportunities for all kinds of riders. I’ d like a good overall position, but I won’ t just be there to race – I’ ll be posting regularly so my followers can see what this race looks like from the inside.”
M |
IVAR SLIK |
F |
JANA GIGELE |
M |
JASPER OCKELOEN |
|
11 |
|
65 |
|
35 |
Team: Wilier Triestina @ MAAP DOB: 27 May 1993 | Age: 32 Top results: 1st 2022 Unbound Gravel 200; 1st 2022 The Traka 200; 2nd 2023 The Rift
“ I’ m excited for the unique landscape and the wildlife. My goal is to win a stage.”
Team: Aurum CCS GRVL DOB: 14 August 1987 | Age: 28 Top results: 2025 Austrian Gravel Champion; 4x Top 7 Gravel World Series; 3x Top 10 UCI Road Race
“ What I love most about cycling is chasing view after view. Climbing up a mountain feels like freedom, and taking in the scenery from the top is pure joy. Nowhere else do I feel happier than on my bike. I especially love the descents, the speed and the adrenaline. I’ m going to give 100 % and enjoy the atmosphere.”
Team: Canyon // SOCKELOEN. com DOB: 10 May 1990 | Age: 35 Top results: 2016 + 2017 European Beach Race Champion; 2016 Dutch XCM Champion; 2nd 2024 The Traka; 2nd 2023 Belgian Waffle Ride
“ I’ m looking forward to an adventure through Africa with friends. My goal is to have fun and finish in the top 10.”
M |
JOHAN VAN ZYL
27
|
M |
JORDAN SCHLECK SSEKANWAGI
48
|
F |
JUANITA ROSE MACKENZIE
8O
|
Team: Toyota Specialized DOB: 24 August 2001 | Age: 24 Top results: 2025 SA XCC Champion; 9th 2025 Cape Epic; 2023 African XCC Champion
“ Winning SA Champs this year was one of the coolest moments of my career. Now I’ m excited to race the best in the business through some of most beautiful areas in South Africa. I plan to stay as close as possible to the front guys!”
Team: Team Amani DOB: 20 September 2003 | Age: 22 Top results: 2014-2017 U18 Uganda Road Champion; 3rd 2022 + 2025 Migration Gravel Race; 4th 2025 Utopia Gravel; 6th 2024 Gravel Locos
“ My favourite moment on the bike was winning the Uganda Junior Champs and my dad winning the Elite category in 2014. I can’ t wait to take on this race. I’ m after a stage win, a GC podium and fun – and I’ m excited to connect with other athletes.”
Team: ChemChamp Racing DOB: 14 February 1983 | Age: 42 Top results: 2nd 2024 Herald Cycle Tour
“ The Eastern Cape is my home and the Karoo has got a special kind of magic – an ancient wisdom. I am so excited to be riding through familiar landscapes I love and call home. I love that it’ s solo and unassisted. It’ s a privilege to be part of the first event and I plan to leave it all out there.”
65 NEDBANK GRAVEL BURN