Prepare for a Big Year on the Bike in 2024 by Entering the Tankwa Trek Now

The Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, is South Africa’s premier four-day UCI mountain bike stage race. In its ten-edition history it has attracted riders of the calibre of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Nino Schurter, Henrique Avancini, Gam Gaze, Simon Andreassen and Anne Terpstra, as well as the top South Africans, like Alan Hatherly, Matt Beers, Philip Buys, Candice Lill and Mariske Strauss. Next year will mark the race’s eleventh edition and is set to offer increased route, race village and overall refinement, to amplify the already world-class experience on and off the bike. 2024 is set to provide a race for the ages, which all avid mountain bikers should partake in.

Each of the race’s four stages starts and finishes at Kaleo Guest Farm, a self-catering getaway destination and wedding venue in the heart of the Koue Bokkeveld region of the Western Cape. Its lush green lawns, old growth oak trees, broad dining hall and ample ablutions, make it the perfect venue for hosting a stage race. Those in the know sneak around a low ridgeline, just 300 metres from the campground, to the swimming hole.

Each year some of the world’s best mountain bikers descend on Kaleo Guest Farm for the UCI S1 rated stage race. Photo by Oakpics.com.

It is on the bike that the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, really stands out. The route is packed with technical singletracks, including sandstone slab rides in the Witzenberg Valley and trails that bisect rock arches or ducks under overhangs. Then there is the Merino Monster. Unquestionably the toughest climb in South African mountain biking. An ascent so testing that the race often uses it on the official t-shirt to commemorate those who conquer the Monster. Wearing it around the race villages of other mountain bike races is a badge of honour which sets the riders who have scaled the mountain apart.

For the UCI elite men and women, as well as the competitive age category racers, the event provides a tough four days. The depth and competitiveness of the field means that every stage result is hard fought. To stand atop a podium at the end of a day, let alone after four stages, requires a near perfect performance.

The Merino Monster, the climb which dominates the Stage 3 route, is unquestionably the premier mountain bike ascent in South Africa. Photo by Oakpics.com.

“Along with the title and presenting sponsors, Momentum Medical Scheme and Biogen, we are planning some exciting things for the 2024 edition,” Dryland Event Management’s Henco Rademeyer smiled. “Over the years we have nearly perfected many of the big things, but there is always room for little improvements. The route will be refined slightly, with additional sections of singletrack added, particularly to Stages 1 and 4. Then in the race village we will be expanding the chill zone.”

“One of the things we at Dryland pride ourselves most on is the hospitality at our events,” Rademeyer continued. “The water points and meals at the event will continue to live up to the standards we’ve set for ourselves, but the chill zone will be dramatically improved and expanded. After a tough morning on the bike being able to relax, snack on healthy foods or maybe something more indulgent, and share war stories from the trails with friends and teammates is an essential part of the stage race experience. We’ll be creating more spaces and offering more snacks to help riders recover ahead of the next stage.”

The event provides South Africa’s top riders the opportunity to match themselves against the world’s best, on home trails. Photo by Oakpics.com.

The route for the 2024 race will be announced later in 2023, but riders can expect to challenge themselves to a course of around 280 kilometres in length. It should also feature roughly 5 500 metres of climbing. Entries to the eleventh edition open on 5 April 2023, at 12:00 (South Africa Standard Time). The race will take place from 8 to 11 February 2024. For more information and to secure your slot visit www.tankwatrek.co.za.

Along with the challenging racing and spectacular hospitality the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, also boasts world-class media coverage; further rewarding the UCI elite teams for their participation. Photo by Oakpics.com.