tankwa trek 2023 results

Cornércard and Faces Rola Wrap Up Tankwa Trek Titles with Stage Wins

The overnight leaders, Cornércard and Faces Rola, wrapped up their Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, titles with stage wins on the final day. Nino Schurter and Filippo Colombo underlined their dominance in the Koue Bokkeveld with a comfortable victory. While Sunday, 6 February, saw Mariske Strauss and Candice Lill complete their clean sweep of stage honours. 

“We got away from the rest of the elite women’s field pretty early on and decided to just race the last stage as hard as we could” Lill revealed. “The last stage was anything but easy though. The climbs were punchy and there were a few long sandy stretches. But like a lot of the riding around here there were some amazing rocky trails too. It was tricky, technical and rocky. Which we love!”

“You don’t get riding like this anywhere else and it’s impossible to replicate in training” the South African XCO Champion added. “It’s a great boost for the rest of the year to start the season with a victory here at the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen.” 

Lill and Strauss’ four stage wins ensured that they finished well up on their general classification rivals. After a fiercely contested battle for second, on the opening stage, Sarah Hill and Theresa Ralph steadily rode themselves into a convincing second position overall. “It was great racing with Sarah again. She’s on terrific form at the moment and really took good care of me this weekend” Ralph praised. 

With Liv Cycling South Africa standing on the second step of the podium, below Faces Rola, the final spot was claimed by Efficient Insure Infinity Racing. Making her comeback from nearly a year off racing Samantha Sanders finished the four days stronger than she started and can use the event as a solid base from which to launch her return to competitive form. She and Kim le Court proved a dynamic partnership, which is sure to grow in confidence and results as the year progresses. 

In the men’s race, there were no free passes on the final stage. “It might have looked easy on paper but if definitely wasn’t in reality” Wessel Botha puffed after the race. “Okes were like sharks out there” Matt Beers laughed. “Every time anyone sensed blood the speed doubled. It was a very tough final stage.” 

Beers played a significant part in making the stage difficult. As did the cross-country specialists, Schurter, Colombo, Alan Hatherly and Simon Andreassen. “It was like an XCO race today” Schurter smiled. “Every climb was full gas and there was no let-up on the descents or flats. Especially when Matt went to the front.” 

“We tried a few times to get away, but it was difficult to make a decisive move with the undulating terrain” the Swiss star explained. “Filippo got a piece of string wrapped up in his rear wheel just as the pace was really starting to increase for the finale. Fortunately, we only lost 20 seconds or so and we were able to close the gap. Then on the final climb, we put in an attack and got a little gap which we could hold through the final singletrack.” 

“If you have the lead you have a big advantage coming into this finish chute” Shurter continued. “So, we were able from there to enjoy the victory. It was a tough four days of racing. But it was good to see how the winter’s training has gone in a race situation.” 

Schurter and Colombo’s acceleration could only be followed by Alan Hatherly. The sprint for the minor places behind the stage and race winners thus came down to the Imbuko {type}DEV equipped by Giant team and Simon Andreassen. “I know Simon is a weapon when it comes to placing himself for a sprint” Hatherly noted. “I was happy to leave him to it and he came through to ensure we claimed second today.” 

Botha and Marco Joubert had to settle for third on the stage, but the result was more than good enough to ensure they remained in third overall. Beers and Tristan Nortje slipped a few seconds off the pace in the final kilometres but remained in second on the final general classification. “We knew we had a good buffer to the Imbuko {type}DEV equipped by Giant guys” Nortje reflected. “That’s not to say we took it easy through the last singletrack. But we just knew we didn’t have to stress. The Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, has been amazing. It’s been tough, especially Stages 1 and 2, but I’ve got some good memories to take from the race and lots of reasons to be positive.” 

The Cornércard team’s stage winning time was 2 hours, 37 minutes and 7 seconds. This ensured that their general classification victory margin was 5 minutes and 47 seconds over Toyota Specialized. Botha and Joubert were a further 6 minutes and 29 seconds behind Beers and Nortje. The women’s margin of victory underlined Strauss and Lill’s dominance. The Faces Rola pair were an hour ahead of Liv Cycling South Africa after the four stages. 

Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen Results

Stage 4 | Men:

• Cornércard: Nino Schurter and Filippo Colombo (2:37:07)
• Cannondale Factory Racing: Simon Andreassen and Alan Hatherly (2:37:20| +13)
• Imbuko {type}DEV equipped by Giant (2:37:22 | +13)

Stage 4 | Women:

• Faces Rola: Mariske Strauss and Candice Lill (3:11:54)
• Liv Cycling South Africa: Sarah Hill and Theresa Ralph (3:25:36 | +13:42)
• Efficient Insure Infinity Racing: Kim le Court and Samantha Sanders (3:29:47 | +17:53)

General Classification after Stage 4 | Men:

• Cornércard: Nino Schurter and Filippo Colombo (11:06:53)
• Toyota Specialized: Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje (11:12:42 | +5:47)
• Imbuko {type}DEV equipped by Giant (11:19:09 | +12:16)

General Classification after Stage 4 | Women:

• Faces Rola: Mariske Strauss and Candice Lill (13:49:11)
• Liv Cycling South Africa: Sarah Hill and Theresa Ralph (14:49:35| +1:00:24)
• Efficient Insure Infinity Racing: Kim le Court and Samantha Sanders (15:11:30 | +1:23:19)

Please visit www.tankwatrek.co.za to view the full results from Stage 4. 

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Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen

Photo by Shift Media Co.

The 2023 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek , presented by Biogen, will feature more singletrack, challenging climbs and riotous riding. In total the four days of the UCI Class 1 stage race will take in 270 kilometres, along with 5 320 metres of climbing. These basic facts do not account for the difficulty presented by the terrain and the weather, however.

Rocky outcrops jut from the Koue Bokkeveld landscape where verdant orchards abut sparsely vegetated mountainsides. Sandstone cliffs and shelves reflect the harsh African sun, intensifying the heat and providing natural arches to ride through as well as drop-offs to race down. These and the existing trails are coupled with an ever-increasing network of singletracks on the farm around Kaleo, where the race village is situated. All told the combination ensures that the 2023 race will be the best yet, which is fitting for the tenth edition.

“The 2023 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, is set to be the most challenging in a number of years,” Henco Rademeyer, of Dryland Event Management confirmed. “But not unnecessarily tough. The classic challenges like the singletracks of the Witzenberg Valley and the Merino Monster climb remain, while we’ve added more trail to Stages 1 and 4 too. On paper the first and last days of the race might not seem that much harder, but the rugged terrain they take in will certainly add to the overall difficulty of the race.”

“Stage 1 remains just under 30 kilometres in length and takes place on the afternoon of Thursday, 9 February,” Rademeyer confirmed. “It will feature even more great singletrack than ever before, but will also boast a couple of early climbs to split the field. The teams will once again be seeded for Stage 1, but we’ll be making use of smaller batch starts to ensure everyone is able to race the stage as quickly as they are callable to provide them with access to the correct start group for Stage 2.”

Day 2 then takes riders into the fabled Witzenberg Valley, where the trails built by Hannes and Sakkie Hanekom await. “We’ll be returning to the traditional anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the Witzenberg Valley,” Sakkie Hanekom confirmed. “But we are adding a few new features, including a spectacular downhill section through a sandstone arch. We’re also moving the water points around a bit, to create a spectator point at Waterpoint 3, which will now be located at SIP Café.”

“Look there’s no way around the Monster,” Route Director, Ernst van Dyk smiled knowingly. “Stage 3 will once again feature the most infamous climb in South African mountain biking, the Merino Monster. The Queen Stage of the race will circle the highest peak in the range, keeping the summit in view for much of the day. While the ascent doesn’t get any easier, the descent is smoothed out every year and that should make for a faster run back to Kaleo after conquering the climb.”

The final stage then takes in much of Van Dyk’s existing Kaleo Mountain Bike Trails in a punchy conclusion to the four days of racing. “Stage 4 might only be 55 kilometres long but it features 45 kilometres of singletrack,” Van Dyk promised. “It starts with nearly 10 kilometres of jeep track to spread the bunches and then it’s singletrack all the way, with just a few quick dual track or district road liaisons. For the elite racers, it’ll be a fast and furious affair, while for the amateurs it’ll cap a memorable long weekend of mountain biking with a challenging but exciting route.”

For all the details, click here. 

Event Information

Organiser information.

Tougher Test Presented by 2023 Tankwa Trek Route

The 2023 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, will feature more singletrack, challenging climbs and riotous riding. In total the four days of the UCI Class 1 stage race will take in 270 kilometres, along with 5 320 metres of climbing. These basic facts do not account for the difficulty presented by the terrain and the weather however.

Rocky outcrops jut from the Koue Bokkeveld landscape where verdant orchards abut sparsely vegetated mountain sides. Sandstone cliffs and shelves reflect the harsh African sun, intensifying the heat and providing natural arches to ride through as well as drop offs to race down. These and the existing trails are coupled with an ever-increasing network of singletracks on the farm around Kaleo, where the race village is situated. All told the combination ensures that the 2023 race will be the best yet, which is fitting for the tenth edition.

The planes of the Koue Bokkeveld are scattered with outcrops of sand stone pillars which make for dramatic visual and riding features along the race route. Photo by Shift Media Co.

“The 2023 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, is set to be the most challenging in a number of years,” Henco Rademeyer, of Dryland Event Management confirmed. “But not unnecessarily tough. The classic challenges like the singletracks of the Witzenberg Valley and the Merino Monster climb remain, while we’ve added more trail to Stages 1 and 4 too. On paper the first and last days of the race might not seem that much harder, but the rugged terrain they take in will certainly add to the overall difficulty of the race.”

“Stage 1 remains just under 30 kilometres in length and takes place on the afternoon Thursday, 9 February,” Rademeyer confirmed. “It will feature even more great singletrack than ever before, but will also boast a couple of early climbs to split the field. The teams will once again be seeded for Stage 1, but we’ll be making use of smaller batch starts to ensure everyone is able to race the stage as quickly as they are callable to provide them with access to the correct start group for Stage 2.”

The Witzenberg Valley and its rock slabs will once again host Stage 2 of the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen. Photo by Shift Media Co.

Day 2 then takes riders into the fabled Witzenberg Valley, where the trails built by Hannes and Sakkie Hanekom await. “We’ll be returning to the traditional anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the Witzenberg Valley,” Sakkie Hanekom confirmed. “But we are adding a few new features, including a spectacular downhill section through a sandstone arch. We’re also moving the water points around a bit, to create a spectator point at Waterpoint 3, which will now be located at SIP Café.”

“Look there’s no way around the Monster,” Route Director, Ernst van Dyk smiled knowingly. “Stage 3 will once again feature the most infamous climb in South African mountain biking, the Merino Monster. The Queen Stage of the race will circle the highest peak in the range, keeping the summit in view for much of the day. While the ascent doesn’t get any easier, the descent is smoothed out every year and that should make for a faster run back to Kaleo after conquering the climb.”

The final stage then takes in much of Van Dyk’s existing Kaleo Mountain Bike Trails in a punchy conclusion to the four days of racing. “Stage 4 might only be 55 kilometres long but it features 45 kilometres of singletrack,” Van Dyk promised. “It starts with nearly 10 kilometres of jeep track to spread the bunches and then it’s singletrack all the way, with just a few quick dual track or district road liaisons. For the elite racers it’ll be a fast and furious affair, while for the amateurs it’ll cap a memorable long weekend of mountain biking with a challenging but exciting route.”

Ascending to 1 800 metres above sea level the Merino Monster is undoubtedly South Africa’s most iconic mountain bike climb and is only ridable during the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen. Photo by Sage Lee Voges for www.zcmc.co.za.

2023 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, Route Details:

#BokveldBliss

9 February 2023

Distance: 29.4km

Climbing: 460m

Water Point: 17km

Though short in distance, the opening stage of the race will set the scene for what is to come with technical riding virtually from the off. Kaleo’s singletracks provide the proving ground for man, woman and machine; with rocky trails, off camber corners and sharp climbs punctuating the Stage 1 route. One waterpoint, located 17 kilometres into the 29.4 kilometre long course, is the only source of respite between the high paced sprint off the start line and the drag to the line on the lawns of Kaleo. Expect high temperatures, thanks to the February heat and the 15:00 start time.

#WitzenbergWizz

10 February 2023

Distance: 88km

Climbing: 1 700m

Water Points: 27km (Tech Zone) | 48km | 67km (Tech Zone) | 76km

Stage 2 features an anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the Witzenberg Valley, complete with the Hanekom brothers’ famously technical singletracks, including the rock shelf drop and the infamous switchbacks. Getting there will require ascending the Old Wagon Trail and descending into the fertile valley from the Koue Bokkeveld plateau. The day’s major climb is located on the western wall of the Witzenberg and provides views over Tulbagh and out towards Table Mountain far to the south from the summit. The descent from the highest point of the day features a white-knuckle race through a spectacular stand stone arch before the trek back towards the eastern exit out of the valley. Before starting the final climb, the SIP Café spectator and waterpoint offers the opportunity to refuel for the ascent back to the Bokveld and the drag through the orchards to Kaleo.

#MerinoMonster

11 February

Distance: 98km

Climbing: 2 200m

Water Points: 35km (Tech Zone) | 53km | 65km (Tech Zone) | 73km

The Merino Monster is the undoubted iconic feature of the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen. Rising over 1 000 metres from the Ceres Valley floor to the summit, at 1 800 metres above sea level it features an 8.8% average gradient for the final 8 kilometre stretch from Waterpoint 3 to Waterpoint 4. Getting to the foot of the climb requires significant work too however. Stage 3 begins with a race across the Bokveld to the top of the Old Gydo Pass. The dual track pass allows for a rapid drop into the Ceres Valley where a mix of rugged jeep tracks and flowing singletracks traverse towards the east, with the Monster ever looming to the left. When the climbing commences, from Water Point 3 it begins gradually at first before ramping up on an old trading route. From the farmstead at the foot of the Merino Monster 8 challenging kilometres await. Once riders have conquered the climb, they can choose to recover at the mountain top aid station and take a commemorative photo, or descend directly to Kaleo along a rough path that demands absolute focus. The final 10 kilometres are a high-speed race back to the finish where a hero’s welcome awaits.

#KaleoKaleidoscope

Distance: 54.4km

Climbing: 960m

Water Points: 24km (Tech Zone) | 41km

Stage 4 is not to be underestimated, despite its shorter distance and lower accumulated meters of elevation gain. It will be packed with singletrack, featuring nearly 45 kilometres in the 54.4 kilometre total distance. That means aside from the early dual tracks to spread the field virtually every metre will be contested in the trails. Snaking climbs, some through poplar groves and others on expose hillsides, lead to fast paced descents where staying agile and nimble will pay dividends. The day’s first waterpoint follows a particularly arduous stretch, while the second sets riders up for a roller-coaster ride all the way back to Kaleo. The final finish line will reward with medals, high fives and more before prize giving concludes four days of Koue Bokkeveld Bliss.

Entries to the 2023 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, opened in April . Various entry options, including for standard camping or luxury upgrades, are available for the race which takes place from the 9 th to the 12 th of February next year. To find out more visit www.tankwatrek.co.za .

Kaleo’s growing trail network will host much of Stage 1 and 4, providing 45 kilometres of singletrack for the 54.4 kilometre long final stage. Photo by Shift Media Co.

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Update Results

21-23 April 2023

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PYGA Euro Steel and Ghost Factory Racing Draw First Blood at 2023 Tankwa Trek

Supplied by Dryland Event Management.

The 2023 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, got underway in the Koue Bokkeveld, region of the Western Cape, on the afternoon Thursday, 9 February. A fast-paced 30 kilometre route set the scene for the four days of racing to come and saw PYGA Euro Steel take the stage in a sprint. Ghost Factory Racing were the victors in the women’s race, with the Cappuccino team rolling across the line ahead of their Flat White squad-mates.

Matt Beers, of Toyota Specialized, drove the tempo from the off in the men’s race, splitting the field asunder. The Bull Heroes, Urs Huber and Simon Schneller, were early casualties to the pace; as they struggled with the blazing afternoon heat. KMC’s Tim Smeenge and Teus Ruijter were also in trouble early, as Smeenge suffered a puncture within the opening kilometre of the race.

At the front of the race Beers’ split drew Alex Miller, Philip Buys, Pieter du Toit, Marco Joubert and Tristan Nortje away. Just 20 seconds back, Gert Heyns, of Valley Electrical Titan Racing, was pulling a chase group which had his teammate, Matthew Keyser, the Insect Science Pro team, KMC MTB Racing Team Men and Team Bulls Mavericks in it. After 20 kilometres of flat out racing the groups came back together.

“The start was quite hard, Matt [Beers] went to the front and sort of caught people by surprise a bit,” Buys reflected. “Three teams got away initially then it felt like it slowed down a bit and the others re-joined us. But then towards the end it all broke lose and things became really shattered. Just as we were trying to make a move for the front Alex [Miller]’s chain dropped, which basically left him with a 3 kilometre sprint.”

With the teams racing through the final singletrack the PYGA Euro Steel team managed to regain contact with the group and somehow Miller fought his way back into a position from which to contest the sprint against the Imbuko {type}DEV combination of Du Toit and Joubert. “I sort of wanted to tell him we should rather leave it and not fight for second or third,” Buys added. “But Alex really dug deep and he managed to get by Pieter [du Toit] just, just, to take the win.”

Buys and Miller’s margin of victory was less than a second over Imbuko {type}DEV. Behind them the riders from each team crossed the line in a rag-tag line of individuals. This meant that the KMC MTB Racing Team Men, David Nordemann and Mārtiņš Blūms, were able to secure third, ahead of Arno du Toit and Keagan Bontekoning, of Insect Science Pro, and the Toyota Specialized team. The gap between first and fifth on the general classification, after 30 of the race’s 270 kilometres, is just 20 seconds.

In the women’s race the top two teams were nearly as close on the overall standings after the opening day as the top two men’s teams. Though the racing was less fierce between them. Ghost Factory Racing’s teams, Cappuccino and Flat White, put their cross-country pace to work on the punchy opening day.

“Initially we were with three or four other teams,” Isla Short, of Ghost Factory Racing Flat White, explained. “Then Nicole [Koller] drilled it on the front and we just hung in behind her, which allowed the four of us to ride away from the rest of the field. It was really fun out there, but so loose and dry; which I’m not really used to. But it runs super-fast, so that’s really fun.”

Having established a lead, the Ghost Factory Racing teams were able to maintain their advantage without going to deep, a fact that Anne Terpstra was very happy about. “It’s going to be a tough race and conserving energy is going to be important. Knowing when to push and when to take it a little easier is going to be really important,” the Dutch star said.

With Koller having done the lion’s share of the work the line honours went to the Ghost Factory Racing Cappuccino team, ahead of Short and Caroline Bohe of the Flat White combination. 2 seconds separate the leading two teams, with Efficient Insure Infiniti’s Amy Wakefield and Samantha Sanders in third 1 minute and 23 seconds back. She Untamed, Sarah Hill and Elrika Harmzen-Pretorius were fourth, ahead of the KMC MTB Racing Team Women, Janika Loiv and Yana Belomoina.

These time gaps will almost certainly stretch on Stage 2, as the race takes on the fabled Witzenberg Valley. 88 kilometres with 1 700 meters of climbing await in a valley where the singletrack are famously technical. The racing action gets underway at 06:30 and another hot day is expected in the Bokveld.

Results: 2023 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen Stage 1 | Elite Men:

• PYGA Euro Steel: Philip Buys & Alex Miller (1:04:54)
• Imbuko {type}DEV: Marco Joubert & Pieter du Toit (same time)
• KMC MTB 1: David Nordemann & Martins Blums (1:05:00 | +06)
• Insect Science 1: Keagan Bontekoning & Arno du Toit (1:05:11 | +17)
• Toyota Specialized: Matt Beers & Tristan Nortje (1:05:14 | +20)

Stage 1 | Elite Women:

• Ghost Factory Cappuccino: Anne Terpstra & Nicole Koller (1:16:23)
• Ghost Factory Flat White: Isla Short & Caroline Bohe (1:16:25 | +02)
• Efficient Insure Infiniti: Amy Wakefield & Samantha Sanders (1:17:46 | +1:23)
• #SheUntamed: Sarah Hill & Elrika Harmzen-Pretorius (1:18:09 | +1:46)
• KMC MTB: Janika Loiv & Yana Belomoina (1:18:20 | +1:57)

For more information visit www.tankwatrek.co.za .

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RIDER SCHEDULE

Registration

DATE:    Thursday, 6 February 2025 TIME:     10:00 – 14:30 PLACE:  Kaleo Manor From Ceres take the R303 towards Prince Alfred’s Hamlet; over the Gydo pass and follow the Kaleo Manor direction signs from there. See Google map below.

NO SUBSTITUTIONS ARE ALLOWED AT REGISTRATION. 

Pre-race briefing DATE:    Thursday, 6 February 2025 TIME:     14:45 PLACE:  ON THE START LINE Stage 2, 3 and 4 TIME:     19:00 – 20:00 PLACE:  Kaleo Manor

Race Starts

Stage 1 DATE:    Thursday, 6 February 2025 TIME:     15:00 PLACE:  Kaleo Manor Stage 2, 3 and 4 TIME:     06:30 PLACE:  Kaleo Manor

Race cut-offs

Stage 1: 3 hours from start Stage 2: From your start time, 4.5 hours at water point 2 & 8.5 hours at the finish. Stage 3: From your start time, 6 hours at water point 3 & 9 hours at the finish. Stage 4: From your start time, 6 hours at the finish.

Race timing starts when the first rider/team of the respective batch passes through the official start line/gantry.

On Registration Day, all riders will complete the registration process, which includes completing and submitting the Participant Waiver & disclaimer forms. Before registration, review important race documents, including the Participant Waiver. During registration, you will receive your race package. Please check that all items are enclosed – you will sign receipt of this.

Riders must please remember to present some sort of photo identification document (driver’s license, passport or ID book) as proof of identity. Teams have to register together, and no late registrations will be allowed. If a team has not registered, they will not be allowed to start. All riders need to be in possession of a valid UCI or CSA license, if not, a day license can be purchased at registration for R50.00 per day.

Daily Routine

Rise and shine

Breakfast starts

Breakfast finishes

Race starts

First riders arrive

Race medical facility opens

Bike wash opens

Bike Park opens

Lunch starts

Lunch finishes

Bike wash closes

Race medical facility closes

Race results

Dinner starts

Prize giving

Bike park closes

Dinner finishes

What will you need at the Race Village

Casual cloting

Supplements/Food

Personal medication

Locks for your bag and tent

Sleeping bag and cover sheet

Mosquito repellent

Torch/Headlamp

Laundry bag

Chamois cream

Recommended goods.

The race organizers will supply each rider with a comfortable mattress, but riders must supply their own sleeping bag and cover sheet. Please leave all valuables at home, the race organizers, and their partners, accept no responsibility for any lost or stolen goods.

What to bring for the race

A mobile phone, fully charged and programmed with the emergency numbers supplied at race registration.  Our race office is fitted with a charging facility. Please feel free to come and charge your phone with us.

Bike repair tools

• Spare tubes
• Replacement derailleur hanger
• Inflation device (Pump etc)

Sports Massage Package

EPT Recovery is a professional team of highly qualified massage therapists that specializes in sport recovery. As your official partner in recovery at Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek presented by Biogen, we encourage you to step up a gear for better performance and book your recovery massage TODAY. Together with EPT Recovery, you can take your ride to the next level where you will stand firm against the effects of fatigue.

We are excited to provide you with the following services to enhance your total experience at this world class South African event; Please Note, only Race approved Service Providers are allowed.

Please contact Francois Retief on  082 456 0221  or send an email to  [email protected]

30 minute option: Click Here 60 minute option: Click Here

Training Program

This training program is aimed at riders who want to embark on more focused training in the last ± 3 – 4 months before an event. It is an indication of the estimated effort of training required to finish the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek presented by Biogen comfortably. It was set up by UCI Level 3 Cycling Coach, and double Olympian, Erica Green, who has more than 20 yrs experience preparing riders of all abilities for other ultra events.

The Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek presented by Biogen will supply full medical service at the race village and en-route. Trained medical personnel will also be on the route on quad bikes to handle any emergencies that might occur. More serious cases will be transferred to any of the local hospitals, where a more comprehensive service is available. Basic medical services are -free, but recurring injuries or treatment of pre-existing chronic conditions will be charged for. Please remember to carry the details of your medical insurance in case of hospitalization.

Please ensure that you bring your personal medication as prescribed by your physician. We are riding through areas with a high population of honey bees, so come prepared in this regard. Also ensure that you are carrying sun block with a minimum 20 SPF factor.

Unleash Your Tankwa Trek Adventure with Avis!

Avis brings Dryland members exclusive discounts on car rentals, making your journey even more enticing.

Follow the  LINK  to book your car rental with Avis.

Bike maintenance

JP van Zyl is well known in cycling circles. Cycling is in his blood, so if you want to talk tech, he is your go-to guy. As the official bike technical service provider, he offers a very affordable maintenance option for the duration of the race and all bookings and payment can be done directly with him.

JP van Zyl – [email protected] Please note only race approved service providers are allowed

Bike transport.

Relax and enjoy the race! Let us take care of your bicycle!

There is no need to disassemble your bicycle with our unique “roll in roll out” system  now available for transport from Pretoria and Johannesburg.

To book your bike, please visit:

Echelon Bike Transport service is a bicycle logistics business located in Gauteng. Echelon offers seamless, convenient and personage transportation service for bicycles.

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