Cape Pioneer brings new route to the Klein Karoo

The 2026 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, will bring an international field of elite mountain bikers to the Garden Route and Klein Karoo from 22 to 26 September.

Known as the “Race with Soul”, the five-stage UCI mountain bike race returns with 40% more riders than in 2025, a strong elite field and a significant change to its traditional route.

The race will cover 387 km with 7 100 m of accumulated climbing, starting in Wilderness and finishing at Chandelier Game Reserve outside Oudtshoorn.

According to Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management, the race allows cyclists to experience parts of the region that are usually inaccessible to the public.

“The racing might be fierce, but everything else happens at a more relaxed pace. That’s probably why it earned and then lived up to its Race with Soul nickname,” he said.

Meiringspoort closure prompts route change
With Meiringspoort still closed, more traffic is being diverted over the Swartberg Pass. Organisers have therefore removed the pass from Stage 4 to protect riders and avoid increased vehicle and heavy-vehicle traffic.

The revised 92 km stage will instead explore the Swartberg foothills and take riders towards the Red Stone Hills. Competitors may also spot giraffe and kudu along the route.

Although the stage features only 1 100 m of climbing, its rocky terrain and steep valleys will demand constant concentration and could encourage aggressive racing.

Three-time defending UCI women’s champion Samantha Sanders believes the route change will create a more open contest.

“Without that big climb where the strongest climbers can create separation, I reckon we’ll see a much more open playing field,” Sanders said.

Sanders will team up with former winner Sarah Maré for Efficient Infiniti Insure. Their leading rivals are expected to include Safari Essence Titan Racing’s Danielle du Toit and Roxanne Kemp.

In the men’s race, Lood Goosen and Ignatius du Preez will attempt to retain the title for Toyota Specialized Imbuko. Former champions Arno du Toit and Keagan Bontekoning of Insect Science will be among their strongest challengers.

Marc Pritzen and Swiss rider Felix Stehli are also regarded as leading contenders and will race on 32-inch Stoll mountain bikes, placing the developing technology to the test on the Klein Karoo’s rocky terrain.

The race starts with a 66 km stage from Wilderness to Louvain Guest Farm. Stage 2 features a 73 km loop from Louvain, while Stage 3 takes riders 92 km across the Klein Karoo to Langenhoven Gymnasium in Oudtshoorn.

The revised Stage 4 heads towards the Red Stone Hills before the race concludes with a 66 km wildlife-filled stage through Chandelier Game Reserve. Cycling supporters can follow Cape Pioneer on Instagram and Facebook, or visit www.capepioneer.co.za.

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