Nedbank Gravel Burn Pushes South African Gravel Racing to New Heights

27 October 2026

The annual Nedbank Gravel Burn, South Africa's premier gravel stage race, returned in 2026 from 25 to 31 October. Now in its seventh edition, the weeklong event sees elite riders and amateurs alike tackle a punishing course spanning the Great Karoo from Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

At 750 km in length with 8,500 vertical metres of climbing, this is no mere gravel grinder. Riders face plenty of climbing and technical descents to push their limits.

"At the start in Robert Sobukwe Town, the road drops down to the Orange River. The stage demands huge patience, resilience and smart racing," winemaking consultant Peter Goddard observes. In total, riders must cover over 750 km, ascend 8,500 meters, and tackle a mix of rock, dirt and tarmac underfoot.

The route stops at four Burn Camp bases, where amateur and pro riders can share stories of grit and glorious failures over cold beers.

"The format encourages interaction between professionals and amateurs," Goddard explains, noting that the opening stage saw over 400 competitors from 33 countries racing from Robert Sobukwe Town to Blaauwater Farm.

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The event featured a star-studded field, with defending champions Matt Beers and Axelle Dubau-Prévot joined by leading international and South African gravel specialists including Alonso Diaz, Greg Giles, Lara Goss, Robena Forens, Paul Marritz, Kristian Hyland, Dan Daspit, Rick Miller, Moriah Werner, Nicole Salcedo, Ty Van Leuven, Kirsten and Ryan Cogan, Henenlo Petra, Matti Bermann, Matt Emdad, Joseph Ziolkowski, Ian Schnitzer, and Jess Glassman.

Behind the race's hard-core image, Goddard describes Gravel Burn as an iconic meeting point.

"This is about the camaraderie of sharing space and time with fantastic people. It's an amazing way to experience the Karoo."

Indeed, the legendary Great Karoo—with its fiddle playing, shebelethu jams, and endless stretches of sand—remains the undisputed star of Nedbank Gravel Burn.