The iconic Momentum Health Cape Pioneer Trek presented by Biogen promises to live up to all rugged expectations in what looks to be one of the most memorable editions yet.
With a true pioneering spirit, our team has been hard at work blazing new and exciting single-track sections that will feature in most of the seven stages in store.
One of the biggest draw cards will come right at the start with the return of our ever popular Mossel Bay Prologue. The route will be a good preparation for the epic week ahead with exhilarating cliff-hugging trails and a 500 m vertical ascent that mostly happens in the first four kilometres!
There will also be a never-seen-before elevated single-track crossing over some sections of water at the Point. The route runs past the old Lighthouse, famous Mossel Bay Cave and onto an elevated track over rocks and breaking waves.
With the 10th edition comes what is arguably the biggest change the event has seen…
For those who find the 496km route slightly daunting, Dryland Event Management has introduced a four-day race that will give adventure-seekers a taste of what the main event is all about.
The Cape Pioneer Trek Adventure will cover roughly 280km’s and includes the traditional ascent of Montagu Pass, crossing of the Klein Karoo and breathtaking Swartberg Pass summit.
As top local and international athletes prepare for this iconic test of grit, event organiser Henco Rademeyer comments: “It has been a privilege to be involved with the Pioneer since inception. I vividly remember during 2007 and 2008 how we scouted the routes, visited the schools and set the plans in action to bring this event to the Southern Cape – little did we know that someday we would celebrate 10 successful years.”
“We knew right from the start that we wanted to include the communities in the areas where we host the race. After all, the race belongs to everyone whose land we cross during the seven days! We have also decided that in year 11 we will go back to our pioneering roots, and visit areas that have become icons in the mountain biking world like the Kammanassie Mountains and Swartberg mountain top finish. “
“It has also been so exciting partnering Momentum Health and Biogen as our title and presenting partners respectively for the next couple of years – they have big plans for the Pioneer!”
A parting shot from Carel Bosman, head of sponsorship at Momentum: “We are privileged to be in partnership with Dryland Event Management, who we feel are leading the way in terms of mountain biking events in South Africa. The 10th Edition of the Momentum Health Cape Pioneer Trek presented by Biogen will be the best one yet! As always, we are hard at work with Dryland to make this event better than the year before. We are also equally thankful to be in partnership with the presenting sponsor Biogen, who are also a partner on our Wellness and Rewards Programme, Multiply.”
