The Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen is one of the most prestigious mountain bike stage races in South Africa. It takes place in February each year and delivers a challenging four-day race through the rugged Cederberg and Koue Bokkeveld regions of the Western Cape. Here are some interesting facts about why the race is held in such high regard with competitive mountain bike racers from around the world.
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SA’S ONLY UCI-GRADED SHORT STAGE RACE
The Tankwa Trek, presented is South Africa’s only UCI-graded short stage race. Short stage races in South Africa are usually three days in duration. However, in order to qualify for UCI-grading, the event must be a minimum of four days in duration. The organisers added a fourth day in 2019 to satisfy this requirement. The event now starts with a short afternoon stage on the Thursday with three full morning-start stages on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
IT’S A FAVOURITE FOR INTERNATIONAL RACERS
The German-based Team Bulls were the first international team to add the Tankwa Trek to their racing calendar. Urs Huber and Karl Platt were first and second overall in the 2014 edition of Tankwa Trek and then were the winning team at the 2016 edition – a few weeks later, they won the 2016 Cape Epic. Other international racing teams began to send Cape Epic pairings to Tankwa Trek from 2016. Even pro racers that aren’t competing in the Cape Epic, but who are training in South Africa now enjoy contesting the four-day race each February.
“The Tankwa Trek is a nice four-day stage race around Ceres. The climate is good with hot days and cool nights, this is because the location of Kaleo Guest Farm is at elevation. South Africa in general is a good place for European riders in winter (European winter) time. Tankwa Trek is very well organised and easy to manage from a logistics perspective as it’s a short stage race and you stay at the same place after each stage. The luxury tents are very nice accommodation and the showers and toilets are clean and close by. Also, the meals are well organised and the food is good quality. The stages are not too long and not too challenging, but very nice routes to race. I still believe that a stage race makes riders stronger; and this early in the year, there is plenty of time to recover and a have a good build-up to the international XCO season. The organisers of the Tankwa Trek take good care of the European teams and riders and the race normally attracts a strong field so the competition standard is very good.” – Bart Brentjens, 1995 XCO World Champion, 1996 Olympic Champion, 2006 Absa Cape champion; International TV commentator; owner of the KMC MTB Racing Team; multiple Tankwa Trek competitor.
IT’S WHERE INTERNATIONAL PROS AND LOCAL AMATEURS MEET
Other than the Absa Cape Epic, the Tankwa Trek is the only other stage race in South Africa where age-group amateurs can compete against the world’s top professionals. The men and women we watch racing – and winning – the World Cups and World Champs on TV screens are in the same place as you, driven by the same passion for racing mountain bikes on incredibly trails. You may find yourself sitting next to an Olympic medallist or World Champion at breakfast and you don’t have to pinch yourself because it’s real!
MOST MEN’S RACE WINS
In the 10 editions of the race, a total of 16 riders have won the Men’s title. Swiss racer, Urs Huber has won three, while South Africa’s James Reid and Germany’s Karl Platt have each won two. The following have each won one: Lourens Luus (RSA), Waylon Woolcock (RSA), Brendon Davids (RSA), Erik Kleynhans (RSA), Kristian Hynek (CZE), Alban Lakata (AUT), Manuel Fumic (GER), Henrique Avancini (BRA), Simon Stiebjahn (GER), Nino Schurter (SUI), Filippo Colombo (SUI), Tristan Nortje (RSA) and Matt Beers (RSA).
MOST WOMEN’S RACE WINS
In the 10 editions of the race, a total of 11 riders have won the Women’s title. The most prolific winner is Swedish/South African, Jennie Stenerhag with four titles. The other multiple winners are Mariske Strauss and Candice Lill with three each and Robyn de Groot with two. The following have each won once: Hanlie Booyens (RSA), Ischen Stopforth (RSA), Cherise Willeit (RSA), Ariane Luthi (SUI), Esther Suss (SUI), Helen Grobert (GER), Nicole Koller (NED) and Anne Terpstra (NED).
WINNERS OF TANKWA TREK AND CAPE EPIC
A total of nine riders have won both the Tankwa Trek and the Absa Cape Epic – they are:
Men: Urs Huber (SUI), Karl Platt (GER), Kristian Hynek (CZE), Nino Schurter (SUI) and Matt Beers (RSA).
Women: Hanlie Booyens (RSA), Ariane Luthi (SUI), Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) and Esther Suss (SUI).
THE LEGACY OF THE MERINO MONSTER
While there are changes to the route each year, the one feature that’s been included in every edition of the race is the Merino Monster, a massive climb that usually makes or breaks racers’ hopes of success, whatever that may be to them. For the title contenders, the climb, which usually comes on Stage 3 is treated with respect. It’s a 20km ascent that gains 1000 metres and includes gradient pitches up to 20%. It’s a gravel road with no shade, which exposes the racers to the heat and the wind, making it even more formidable.
The main section of the climb has a Strava Segment that measures 7.78km with an ascent of 712m. The current KOM holder is Sebastian Fini with 36min 49sec set in 2020, while Isla Short’s 45:55, also set in 2020, is the fastest women’s time.
WORLD AND OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS TO HAVE RACED THE TANKWA TREK
A total of 10 World and Olympic champions have been attracted to race at Tankwa Trek. Some of them are the greatest racers in the sport. The full list is as follows:
Christoph Sauser: XCO World Champion 2008; XCM World Champion 2007 and 2011
Nino Schurter: XCO World champion 2009, 2012-2013, 2015-2019, 2021-2022; Olympic Champion 2016
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot: XCO World Champion 2015, 2019-2020, 2022-2023; XCC World Champion 2022-2023; XCM World champion 2019 and 2022, Gravel World Champion 2022
Henrique Avancini: XCM World Champion 2018 and 2023
Alban Lakata: XCM World Champion 2010, 2015 and 2017
Simon Andreassen: Under-23 XCO World Champion 2014 and 2015
Alan Hatherly: Under-23 XCO World Champion 2018, eMTB XCO World Champion 2019
Bart Brentjens: XCO World Champion 1995; Olympic Champion 1996
Sam Gaze: Under-23 XCO World Champion 2016 and 2017; XCC World Champion 2022-2023; XCM World Champion 2022; Gravel World Champion 2022.
Sabine Spitz: XCO World Champion 2003, Olympic Champion 2008, XCM World Champion 2009.
Esther Suss: XCM World Champion 2010
The 2024 edition of the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen has already attracted a number of entries. The race will once again be a UCI-graded event over four stages and takes place from Thursday 8-Sunday 11 February. For full race information or to enter, click here.
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