The Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer Trek, presented by Biogen, celebrated its fifteenth
\nanniversary in 2023. Over the decade and a half, the seven-day stage race took riders through the
\nKlein Karoo and across the Garden Route. It traversed high mountains and fertile plains, challenging
\nand rewarding by turns. It grew with the sport of mountain biking, maturing with 29ers into a
\nmainstay of the South African cycling calendar.
\nYet one of the only constants in life is change. And 2024 is the year for change. For rebirth and
\nreimagination. For regrowth and renewal. As such the race will become the Momentum Medical
\nScheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen. A five-day, UCI S1, stage race; complete with longer and
\nmore challenging stages, but maintaining the same \u201crace with soul\u201d ethos which made the original
\nPioneer famous.
\n\u201cIt was always our intention to pay homage to the pioneers of old, who trekked the ancient game
\npaths along the coastal plains and through the mountains into the Klein Karoo,\u201d Henco Rademeyer
\nof Dryland Event Management explained. \u201cThey were not only the founders of our home town of
\nOudtshoorn, but also the spiritual guides of the pioneering spirit upon which the race was founded.
\nOur desire was to share the landscapes with as many people as possible, to immerse them deeply in
\nnature, so that they too can share in this unique countryside and develop a love for it.\u201d
\n\u201cWe initially envisioned a race from Heidelberg, in the west, to Louvain, in the east, following the
\nhistoric pioneer wagon trails. The dual desire to include geological and man-made features, like the
\nSwartberg and Kammanassie Mountains as well as the Montagu Pass meant we soon diverted from
\na pure point-to-point layout,\u201d Rademeyer continued. \u201cWe thus added an exploration element, as the
\npioneers would have done themselves, to allow for the taking in of specific sights and challenges.\u201d
\n\u201cAfter fifteen years of developing the race\u2019s route, we felt it was time for a change. An evolution and
\na refresh,\u201d Rademeyer noted. \u201cThe 2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by
\nBiogen, will be a five-day event. It will maintain its UCI S1 grading, which means that elite riders will
\nearn UCI marathon and stage race points by taking part, and it will continue to be built around the
\nRace with Soul ethos which made the first Pioneer famous.\u201d
\nThe race will be more than a celebration of the best mountain biking in the region. It will showcase
\nthe Klein Karoo hospitality, share the love of the landscape which the founders hold dear, and treat
\nevery participant like the VIP they are. Each individual is sure to emerge emotionally revitalised from
\nthe experience, even if they are physically tired after the challenging riding the punchier route serves
\nup.
\nThe 2024 event will take in 380 kilometres of racing with 8\u00a0950 metres of climbing. \u201cStarting in
\nGeorge, from Glenwood House School, on the 1 st of October the race will begin with a forest and
\nfynbos packed singletrack day in the Jonkersberg Reserve within the greater Outeniqua Mountain
\nRange. It is a tough introduction to the race, with a route that seems easier on paper than it is in
\nreality,\u201d Rademeyer warned. \u201cStage 2 will take riders over the Outeniqua, via a new and thrilling
\nroute which approaches Louvain from the south rather than the west. Stage 3 traverses the foothills<\/p>\n
of the Kammanassie to Oudtshoorn, through a beautifully wide series of farms and private nature
\nreserves. The Queen Stage then boasts the signature mountain-top finish, with Swartberg Pass
\nproviding the decisive test of the day. The grand finale races through the rocky but magnificent
\nChandelier Game Reserve, where wildlife close encounters are virtually guaranteed, before finishing
\nin luxury at the Queens Hotel in the heart of Oudtshoorn.\u201d
\nThe Race with Soul ethos will further be amplified by a finishers\u2019 celebration with a gala dinner on
\nSaturday evening, after the final stage. Prize giving and a final taste of the warm Klein Karoo
\nhospitality as well as the hearty regional cuisine will kick off an evening of revelry. Riders can expect
\nto dance nearly as hard as they rode as the night hots up for an afterparty like the Cape Pioneer used
\nto throw in 2009\u2026
\nEntries to the 2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, opened on 4
\nDecember 2023 with a special offer on a limited number of entries for the month of December,
\ncommemorating the rediscovery of the #RaceWithSoul.
\nDryland have expanded their entry package offerings, with solo riders and two person teams being
\nable to choose between ride only, standard tented accommodation, and luxury tented
\naccommodation, as well as formal accommodation packages in two tiers, namely gold and platinum.
\nTo find out more and to secure your spot in 2024 visit www.capepioneer.co.za.
\n2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, Route:
\nStage 1: #OuteniquaOdyssey
\n1 October 2024
\nSTART: Glenwood House School, George
\nFINISH: Glenwood House School, George
\nDistance: 55km
\nVertical ascent: 1\u00a0750m
\nStage 1 is not to be underestimated, despite its short distance. It features a sapping 1 750 meters of
\nclimbing in just 55 kilometres and is packed with singletracks. Taking in the trails and jeep tacks
\nwhich criss-cross the Jonkersberg Nature Reserve as well as the greater George Trails network of
\nmountain bike routes. The ascents of Tierkop and the Horse Shoe Bend will stretch and strain the
\nfield, while the plethora of singletracks will reward those with the fitness and skill to exploit them.
\nOn the homebound leg of the stage the rooty forest trails are shunned for flowing tracks to speed up
\nthe race to the stage finish.<\/p>\n
Stage 2: #DuiwelskopDash
\n2 October 2024
\nSTART: Glenwood House School, George
\nFINISH: Louvain Guest Farm, Herold.
\nDistance: 77km
\nVertical ascent: 2\u00a0300m
\nDeparting the coast for the interior, the route takes riders in a north easterly direction towards
\nLouvain. This stage is brand new and boasts a challenge of note. Packed with Saasveld singletracks in
\nthe opening kilometres, the course joins the iconic Seven Passes Road before traversing the
\nOuteniqua Mountains in a northerly direction. Wild and rugged dual tracks cut deep into a
\nwilderness area of remote and breathtaking beauty. Steep climbs and unforgiving descents ensure<\/p>\n
the accumulated elevation gain exceeds the 2\u00a0000 metre mark, despite the highest point of the
\nstage, Duiwelskop only standing 1\u00a0000 metres above sea level. From that summit the views into the
\nLangkloof and back to the Indian Ocean are among the highlights of the entire race, as is the descent
\nto Louvain. Stage 2 may prove to be the hardest of the race, though the fickle weather atop the
\nSwartberg Pass could change that.
\nStage 3: #KharismaticKaroo
\n3 October 2024
\nSTART: Louvain Guest Farm, Herold
\nFINISH: Langenhoven Gymnasium, Oudtshoorn
\nDistance: 102km
\nVertical ascent: 1\u00a0950m
\nStage 3 is the second transition stage of the race, taking riders from the Langkloof into the heart of
\nthe Klein Karoo. Revisiting tracks pioneered for mountain biking by the race\u2019s infamous first route
\ndirector, Katot Meyer. The day is action-packed from the off and offers spectacular views for those
\nwith the skills to raise their eyes from the rutted surfaces ahead of them. As the stage progresses the
\nvegetation changes, leaving the fertile fields of the Langkloof behind and entering the Klein Karoo
\nproper, via the imposing Kammanassie. Despite flirting at times with civilisation, in the form of
\nscattered homesteads and isolated farming communities, the majority of the route is hosted by
\ngame reserves, including Madi Madi, Landrani and Buffelsdrift. After 102 tough kilometres of racing
\nthe finish line at Langenhoven Gymnasium, and the final race village of the event, will be a very
\nwelcome sight.<\/p>\n
Stage 4: #SwartbergShowdown
\n4 October 2024
\nSTART: Langenhoven Gymnasium, Oudtshoorn
\nFINISH: Swartberg Mountain, Oudtshoorn
\nDistance: 83km
\nVertical ascent: 1\u00a0750m
\nThe Queen Stage of the 2024 Race with Soul features the only mountain top finish in South African
\nmountain biking. With 1 750 meters of climbing in 83 kilometres, the stage is slightly easier on paper
\nthan it will be in reality. Especially if the weather gods choose to deliver cold, wind, or rain atop the
\nSwartberg Pass. Wildehondekloof Game Reserve provides more wildlife close encounters before the
\nascent into the clouds begins. Upon reaching Kobus se Gat the riders will be able to see exactly what
\nlies ahead; an 8.5-kilometre climb, rising 655 meters at an average gradient of 7.6%. In previous
\nyears the showdown on the Swartberg Pass often determined the Momentum Medical Scheme Cape
\nPioneer, presented by Biogen, winners. This time out a tricky final stage offers the opportunity for
\nredemption.<\/p>\n
Stage 5: #KingofQueens
\n5 October 2024
\nSTART: Langenhoven Gymnasium, Oudtshoorn
\nFINISH: Queens Hotel, Oudtshoorn
\nDistance: 64km
\nVertical ascent: 1\u00a0200m<\/p>\n
The final stage of the race takes riders into the famous Chandelier Game Reserve. It presents one
\nlast chance to make up or lose time, to change the general classification standings. More steep
\nclimbs lead into the reserve where the terrain becomes truly rocky. Punctures as well as fatigue
\ncould play a role in determining who pulls the final First Ascent leaders\u2019 jerseys on, in front of the
\nQueens Hotel. Especially given the new run into Oudtshoorn, will follow the Grobbelaars River rather
\nthan the road to the final finish line on Baron van Reede Street.<\/p>\n
Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"