Singletracks, satisfaction and the Swartberg pass

CYCLING NEWS - The Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer Trek, presented by Biogen, stands out as a unique and challenging mountain bike, stage race in South Africa.

Now in its thirteenth year, this seven-day event offers a blend of tough riding, picturesque landscapes, and warm Klein Karoo hospitality. Running from 3 to 9 September, the 2023 edition covers 472 kilometres with a staggering 10 850 metres of climbing.

The race begins in George, at Glenwood House, with a prologue time trial before delving into the intricate singletracks of the Outeniqua Mountains on Stage 1.

Stage 2 navigates the historic Montagu Pass, climbing into the Langkloof and exploring the fertile valley. Stage 3 and 4 take riders through the northern slopes of the Outeniqua mountain range and the Kamma-nassie foothills, leading to Oudtshoorn.

The Queen Stage marks a standout feature, as the race's only mountaintop finish at the summit of the Swartberg Pass. The final stage, on 9 September, offers a satisfying conclusion through the rocky trails of Chandelier Game Reserve near Oudtshoorn.

The event's appeal is heightened by its UCI elite men's and women's fields, attracting both competitive and social riders. The race holds significant UCI points, influencing local riders' participation in the pursuit of XCM standings. The defending champions, Marco Joubert and Pieter du Toit, return in different pairings with strong contenders aiming for victory.

The dynamic duo of Imbuko Giant teams that secured top positions in the previous edition remain a force to be reckoned with, as do their rivals from Insect Science and Valley Electrical Titan Racing teams.

The 2023 edition will see a resumption of 2022’s battle between the Insect Science and Imbuko Giant teams. Last time, the decisive moment only came on the steepest ramps of the Swartberg Pass, on the penultimate stage of the race. Photo: Justin Reinecke (zcmc.co.za)

The women's UCI competition features Efficient Insure Infiniti Racing's defending champion, Kim le Court, paired with Samantha Sanders.

Yolande de Villiers and Stephanie Wohlters of Enduroplanet pose strong competition, having secured stage wins in the previous year. Other notable teams include Sarah Hill and Hayley Smith of Vivovita-Bell, and the new combination of Karla Stumpf and Kelsey van Schoor.

Behind the top contenders, the Working Heroines - a group of passionate female cyclists balancing other commitments - add another layer of excitement to the competition. These riders, including Sanchia Malan, Linda Hitchings, Mandi Augustyn, Ila Stow, Robyn Williams, Tarryn Povey and Nicola Freitas, form an intriguing sub-competition within the race.

For those eager to participate, a limited number of entries are available for the 2023 Race with Soul. The event promises not only breathtaking scenery but also an engaging racing experience and top-notch catering. A shorter four-day Adventure option is also open to riders who can't commit to the full week.

Enthusiasts can stay connected with the race's excitement through the Momentum Medi-cal Scheme Cape Pioneer Trek's social media pages on Facebook, Twitter (@CapePioneerTrek), and Instagram (@capepioneer).

To enter or learn more about the event, visit www.capepioneer.co.za.

Ila Stow leads the Working Heroines' charge in the UCI women’s race, having won the de facto race-within-a-race with Robyn Williams last year. Photo: Sage Lee Voges (zcmc.co.za)