The stage is set for an epic off-road showdown on Saturday, 5 September, as South Africa’s premier cyclists converge for the 2026 King Price Race to the Sea. Headlining this year’s elite lineup is African and South African Gravel Champion Hayley Preen, who leads a star-studded field tackling a revamped 153-kilometre course from the Theewaterskloof Dam to Benguela Cove.
A Brutal Ascent Shakes Up the Route
A forced change of start venue—following severe flood damage and the indefinite closure of the Franschhoek Pass—has driven an exciting route redesign. Departing from the Theewater Sports Club near Villiersdorp, riders will face 2 485 metres of total elevation. This makes the 2026 route four kilometres shorter than traditional years, yet packs 85 metres more climbing.
The headline addition is the infamous Rusty Gate climb. Arriving within the opening 20 kilometres, this relentless ascent gains nearly 600 metres of elevation in under 10 kilometres. Serving as the new King and Queen of the Mountain segment, it presents a significantly stiffer test than the Franschhoek Pass ever did. Throwing a gruelling climb into the opening phase will force teams to decide early on: launch a daring long-range attack, or play a high-stakes waiting game across the rolling Overberg gravel.
Preen Leads a Stacked Women’s Field
Defending champion Hayley Preen (ChemChamp Honeycomb) enters as the clear favourite. Preen’s 2026 season has been remarkably dominant, sweeping both the South African Marathon Mountain Bike and Gravel titles, defending her African Continental Gravel crown, earning a podium spot at the Cape Epic, and securing fifth at Colorado’s Leadville 100.
However, a stacked field of fierce rivals will test her limits:
Lisa Bone (Cycle Nation Enza Construction): Bone has bested Preen at the Cape Town Cycle Tour and SA Road Race Championships this year and now seeks her first off-road win over the champion.
Sarah Maré (Efficient Infiniti Insure): The Ford Trailseeker Series leader brings metronomic consistency and fresh legs after a light August.
Danielle du Toit: The 2024 winner remains an unpredictable wildcard who knows exactly how to win this race.
Dark Horses: Watch for XCO star Lilian Baber, UCI Gravel World Series podium finisher Chloé Hopf, and veteran campaigner Ila Stow.
Tactical Warfare in the Elite Men’s Battle
The elite men’s race promises to be an explosive tactical affair, led by double SA Gravel Champion Marco Joubert (Toyota Specialized Imbuko). Fresh off a second-place finish at the African Gravel Championships, Joubert’s explosive power makes him lethal on the rolling second half of the course.
He will face stiff competition from defending champion and teammate Travis Stedman, as well as Ford Trailseeker Series leader Marc Pritzen (Honeycomb 226ers). Tactical squad depth will prove crucial:
Toyota Specialized Imbuko: Unmatched depth featuring Joubert, Stedman, Jaedon Terlouw, Lood Goosen, and Ignatius du Preez.
Honeycomb 226ers: Pritzen and Swiss engine Felix Stehli will need sharp tactics past Caledon to keep breakaways in check.
Insect Science: Led by Wessel Botha, Jan Withaar, Keagan Bontekoning, and a returning Arno du Toit, this squad brings aggressive long-range threat.
The Wildcards: Crafty road race tactician Kent Main leads the dark horses capable of springing a major surprise.
The Ultimate Test Ahead
With a punishing route, shifted team dynamics, and world-class fields, the 2026 King Price Race to the Sea promises high drama from the start gun to the coast. On Saturday, 5 September, the newly crowned champions will have earned every single kilometre.
