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CYCLING NEWS - Known as the Race with Soul, the Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, combines competitive mountain biking with a route showcasing some of South Africa’s most diverse and scenic landscapes.
The UCI-status stage race has attracted a strong field for its 2026 edition, with rider numbers up 40% on last year. A route change prompted by the closure of Meiringspoort is also expected to influence the racing.
Stage 4 takes a new direction
With Meiringspoort closed and increased traffic being diverted over Swartberg Pass, organisers Dryland Event Management have opted to avoid the busy pass in the interests of rider safety.
Instead, Stage 4 will take riders through the steep hills and deep valleys of the Swartberg foothills, with views of the Red Stone Hills and the possibility of wildlife sightings along the route.
Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management says the change could create opportunities for riders willing to attack from distance.
“Stage 4 is therefore exploring the steep hills and deep valleys of the Swartberg foothills,” Rademeyer says.
Lood Goosen (left) knows how rough the rocky dual tracks of the Klein Karoo can be on equipment. One of the side plots for the event will be watching how the Stoll Bikes and their 32-inch wheels perform. Photo by Oakpics.com
“Riders will get glimpses of the magnificent Red Stone Hills, and may see giraffe or even kudu from the bike. It will be a day for attacking riding and perhaps a long-range break could shake up the general classification.”
The revised route covers about 387km and 7 100m of accumulated climbing across five stages.
A different race for the women
Three-time defending UCI Women’s champion Samantha Sanders believes the revised route could produce more open racing.
“Without that big climb where the strongest climbers can throw down some serious watt bombs and create separation, I reckon we’ll see a much more open playing field,” she says. “That could make for some really interesting racing!”
Sanders won the 2025 edition alongside Vera Looser for Efficient Infiniti Insure and will return in 2026 with former race winner Sarah Maré as her teammate.
They are expected to face strong competition from Safari Essence Titan Racing’s Danielle du Toit and Roxanne Kemp. Du Toit won the 2024 Cape Pioneer with Sanders, while Sanders also claimed the title in 2023 with Kim le Court Pienaar.
Summerplace’s Lilian Baber will team up with Hollard’s Chloé Hopf for the 2026 edition. Photo by Oakpics.com
Other teams to watch include Cycle Nation Enza Construction’s Rachel Seaman and Bianca Botha, Absolute Motion’s Luzaan Durand and Silke Bester, and Summerplace Hollard Racing’s Chloé Hopf and Lilian Baber.
Strong field lines up in men’s race
The men’s competition also features a mix of established contenders and younger riders looking to make their mark.
Lood Goosen and Ignatius du Preez will race for Toyota Specialized Imbuko after their teammates Travis Stedman and Tristan Nortje won the title in 2025.
With Stedman and Nortje absent this year, Goosen and Du Preez will have the opportunity to race for victory rather than fulfil supporting roles. Toyota Specialized Imbuko will, however, field only one team.
Insect Science will arrive with two strong combinations. Arno du Toit and Keagan Bontekoning, who won the 2024 race, will be looking to reclaim the title, while Wessel Botha and Jan Withaar will race as Insect Science Safari Essence.
Marc Pritzen and Felix Stehli will also attract attention. Pritzen finished second in 2025 and will race alongside Stehli on 32-inch Stoll Bikes, putting the technology to the test on the rocky Klein Karoo terrain.
Other teams in contention include CVNR, Tshenolo Pro Cycling, Project Dream SA, Absolute Motion/Kings of Neon, Demacon Racing, Pump for Peace Abashovi, Pump for Peace Trailblazers, Realty Dynamix, CultureSA and Young Guns.
Five stages across the Garden Route and Klein Karoo
The 2026 race covers five stages, beginning in Wilderness and finishing in Oudtshoorn.
- Stage 1: 66km and 1 800m of climbing from Wilderness Hotel to Louvain Guest Farm in the Langkloof.
- Stage 2: 73km and 1 500m of climbing on an out-and-back route from Louvain.
- Stage 3: 92km and 1 400m of climbing from Louvain to Langenhoven Gymnasium in Oudtshoorn.
- Stage 4: 91km and 1 050m of climbing from Langenhoven Gymnasium, heading towards the Red Stone Hills.
- Stage 5: 65km and 1 350m of climbing from Langenhoven Gym to the Oudtshoorn Civic Centre.
The final stage will take riders through Chandelier Game Reserve, providing a wildlife-rich conclusion to the five-day event.
More than just a mountain bike race
For Rademeyer, the appeal of the Cape Pioneer extends beyond the racing.
“Our races are like children; we’re not supposed to have favourites,” he says. “The Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, is special though… It gives us more time to explore parts of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo people normally never get to see, and it allows more time for the riders to settle in, make friends, and build connections.”
Sanders agrees, describing the event as one that continues to evolve while maintaining its distinctive character.
“I love coming back because it really is the Race with Soul,” she says. “You can’t really explain it; it’s just a feeling you get when you’re there.”
The 2026 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, takes place from Tuesday, 22 September, to Saturday, 26 September.
Cycling fans can follow the race on social media or visit capepioneer.co.za for more information.
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