Cape Pioneer Trek underway

Update Video

SPORT NEWS AND VIDEOS -The 2023 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer Trek presented by Biogen, started this morning, 4 September, from the Glenwood House school grounds where there is a hive of activity.

Cyclists overnighted in tents on the grounds.

Today's race, Stage 1, is a circular route of 55km that includes the Seven Passes road and starts and ends at Glenwood.

According to the organisers, it is a highly technical and testing route with 1 750m of climbing and will favour the better climbers in the race. The course is also characterised by singletracks.

The 26-kilometre prologue yesterday, Sunday 3 September, was won by the Imbuko Giant A and Efficient Infiniti Insure teams, ahead of Valley Electrical - Toyota and Viviovita - Bell respectively. It was was held through the singletracks of Saasveld in cool temperatures and light winds allowing for furious racing.

Tristan Nortje, who is partnering with fellow George local, Gert Heyns was second fastest on the day. The Valley Electrical - Toyota combination were just 17 seconds behind the Imbuko Giant team.

Nortje said it was "super fast and super hard". "Gert is super fast on these trails, so I was just trying to hang on. But we managed a good pace and there's a lot of racing left. It's only 17 seconds between us and the Imbuko Giant A team."

The race ends on 9 September on the Swartberg Pass mountain top. Riders will cover 472km, taking in 10 850 metres of climbing.

VIDEO - Gert Heyns, from George, gives his insights on the Cape Pioneer Trek.

VIDEO - Insights on the eleventh Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer Trek by race director, Carel Heroldt.

VIDEO - Great excitement at Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer Trek (Videos: Alida de Beer).

Georgian rider Gert Heyns is partnering with a fellow Georgian, Tristan Nortje as team Valley Electrical - Toyota. They were only 17 seconds behind the winners of yesterday's prologue.