On Saturday, 17 January, the South African and global mountain biking season gets underway at the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen. Dubbed the Hell of the South, the race challenges riders to an infamously tough 120-kilometre route from Chandelier Game Lodge, near Oudtshoorn, to Pine Creek Resort in Great Brak. With UCI Class 1 status, the event attracts world-class competition and celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026.
Among the standout entries is defending champion and double cross-country World Champion Alan Hatherly, who headlines a field of 48 UCI elite men, 19 UCI elite women, and nearly 1 000 amateur riders.
Hatherly and a World-Class Field
Hatherly begins his 2026 campaign balancing road racing for Team Jayco AlUla and mountain biking for the Giant Factory Off-Road Team. He will take on the famed Attakwaskloof alongside a deep and competitive elite field. For the first time in 18 years, the race will enter the kloof from Safranriver, presenting a different challenge to recent editions.
Course Changes for 2026
Updates to the opening 50 kilometres reduce total climbing by 250 metres and shorten the route by four kilometres. According to Dryland Event Management, these changes could lead to a faster, more competitive race. By bypassing two rocky climbs and favouring more rideable roads and singletrack, riders are expected to reach the Attakwaskloof climb without needing to dismount.
Race director Henco Rademeyer believes the changes may encourage tactical racing early on, before the intensity ramps up in the kloof. The final 54 kilometres from Bonniedale farm to Pine Creek remain as demanding as ever, with a predicted southeasterly headwind expected to cool riders while also making the run to the finish tougher.
Conditions and Women’s Contenders
Temperatures are forecast to stay below 30°C, though conditions in the Klein Karoo and Attakwaskloof are likely to feel hotter. These conditions suit double defending champion Samantha Sanders, who thrives in heat. The reigning South African Marathon Champion will face strong competition from Hayley Preen, Yolande de Villiers, Sarah Hill, and Kelsey van Schoor.
New season storylines include Roxanne Kemp’s debut for Safari Essence Titan Racing, the Hell of the South debut of Tania Bugarin Ortiz, and the return of Tarryn Povey following injury.
Men’s Elite Battle
In the men’s race, Hatherly faces stiff opposition from teams including Toyota Specialized Imbuko, Singer KTM, Honeycomb 226ers, Insect Science, and Tshenolo Pro Cycling. Tristan Nortje, last year’s runner-up and reigning Tankwa Trek and Cape Pioneer champion, will be eager to complete a clean sweep of Momentum Medical Scheme–presented events.
Strength in depth from several teams, combined with individual contenders such as Andreas Seewald, Marc Pritzen, Arno du Toit, and course record holder Wessel Botha, sets the stage for a fiercely contested race.
With form and fitness still unknown at the start of the season, the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme offers the first true test of 2026. Fans can follow the action on Facebook or Instagram (@attakwasmtb). More information is available at www.atta.co.za.
