A unique, new gravel stage race is set to take place next October, in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa. Held over 7 days and 850km, this full service event will be open to both professionals and amateurs.
The route takes riders through South Africa’s diverse landscapes, starting in the coastal forests surrounding Knysna, then heading into the breathtaking Great Karoo – a famously spectacular semi-desert region. Riders rest each night in remote ‘Burn Camps’ under star-filled skies, and at the finish, they’re greeted by Africa’s iconic Big 5 wildlife at Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
Gravel Burn is Kevin Vermaak’s brand new event. Twenty years ago he launched the Cape Epic – the eight-day mountain bike stage race that has become the most successful of its type in the world. In 2017 the Cape Epic – by then widely held to be the ‘Tour de France of mountain biking’ – was sold to the US-based Ironman group. Kevin stayed on for a while as a consultant and eventually left in 2022, then took a much-needed sabbatical.
Now Kevin has hatched an exciting new venture.
‘On October 26 next year we will stage the first Gravel Burn – a seven-day, 850-kilometre stage race exclusively for gravel bike riders.’
To this end Kevin has put together an experienced team including Richard McMartin – original logistics lead at the Cape Epic, then moving on to become a successful businessman and event organiser himself – and route designer Steve Thomas, who managed all of the early Cape Epic’s pre-race test rides.
So why gravel?
‘I believe gravel biking in South Africa is now at about the place where mountain biking was 20 years ago,’ says Kevin. ‘It is growing exponentially in Europe and the United States, both among professional and amateur riders, and we think the timing is perfect for a major, long-distance, full-service pro-am gravel race.
‘And where better to stage it than South Africa?’
When it comes to Knysna, there’s a certain degree of nostalgia for Kevin. For the first five years the Cape Epic route headed broadly west and finished near Cape Town. Gravel Burn will also begin in Knysna however this time heading into the magnificent Great Karoo landscapes in the Eastern Cape.
‘Our research quickly showed us that the best gravel roads for biking in South Africa are in the Great Karoo and the Eastern Cape. And there are some stunning towns along the way. Several of these gems will be used as Gravel Burn’s Burn Camp venues in the years to come.’
The Gravel Burn team has already scouted out what Kevin describes as ‘a brilliant route’ for 2025 and bespoke, tented ‘Burn Camps’ are being constructed for the riders to stay in at the various stage locations. Next year the Burn Camps will be at Avontuur, Graaff Reinet, Blaauwater Farm, Avontuur, Merino Farm, Middleton and Amanzi Camp at Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
‘Like all great stage races, the route is extremely important to us and will define the event. It must be constantly dynamic and changing over time.’
The Gravel Burn will open for individual competitors – it’s purely a solo race. Riders may enter in their age-group (at 5-year increments starting from age 35) and have a chance to race for the leader jersey in their age group for both men and women.
Another feature will be point-to-point stages. The only clover leaf stage explores an unmissable loop, circling the jagged Compassberg.
‘We want riders to fully experience the spirit of gravel. To me that means adventure, distances, a journey and exploring new routes,’ says Kevin.
He stressed that ‘we are not recreating the Cape Epic – it will be an entirely different type of event at a different time of the year. One thing we do hope to emulate is the renowned organisational efficiency which the Cape Epic became known for.’
The Gravel Burn will, however, stand apart from other events through an emphasis on community and camaraderie. This will be achieved in part by the intimate scale of the Burn Camps, where riders will share their daily experiences in a communal space.
‘I guess we are re-inventing the model and in doing so we want to commit to a communal life in the Burn Camps during the Gravel Burn,’ explains Kevin.
Registration for the event will open in December 2024.
For more details: visit the Gravel Burn website – www.gravel-burn.com
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Source: Gravel Burn Media
