Ignition: The Nedbank Gravel Burn Sets the Great Karoo Ablaze

As the global appetite for ultra-endurance gravel racing continues to surge, a monumental new event is stepping onto the calendar this October: the Nedbank Gravel Burn. Running from October 25 - 31, 2026, this full-service, seven-day stage race promises to test limits across some of South Africa’s most breath taking, rugged terrain.

Whether you are preparing to hit the start line or just tracking the action from home, here is everything you need to know about gravel cycling's next great adventure.

The Visionary Behind the Burn

If the scale of the Gravel Burn sounds ambitious, it’s because of the man at the helm: Kevin Vermaak. Best known for founding the legendary Absa Cape Epic in the early 2000s, Vermaak transformed South African mountain biking. After stepping away from the Epic in 2022 and taking a sabbatical, he turned his sights to gravel. Extensive research pointed him away from the Western Cape and straight into the heart of the Great Karoo and Eastern Cape, which he identified as home to the country’s finest unbroken gravel networks.

Format: A Pure Solo Journey

Unlike the team-oriented dynamics of the Cape Epic, the Nedbank Gravel Burn is a purely solo endeavour. Riders compete as individuals in mass-start stages, racing for leader jerseys within five-year age group increments (starting from age 35). It’s a raw, stripped-back test of individual grit, though riders are fully supported off the bike at premium "Burn Camps" set up at historic farms and remote outposts each night.

The Route: 750km of Untamed Karoo

The 2026 route is a 750-kilometer point-to-point expedition featuring roughly 8,500 meters of elevation gain.

• The Start: The journey kicks off in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet.
• The Terrain: Riders will traverse the vast, semi-desert expanses of the Great Karoo, navigating dynamic daily stages. A major highlight includes a unique clover-leaf stage that circles the jagged, iconic Compassberg peak.
• The Finish: The gruelling week culminates in a dramatic finale at the Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

The International Draw

Why are international riders flocking to a remote corner of the Eastern Cape? The Gravel Burn offers an intoxicating mix of extreme physical challenge, world-class race village hospitality, and a uniquely African backdrop. The promise of riding through the silent, expansive Karoo by day, sleeping under star-filled skies by night, and crossing a finish line surrounded by Africa's Big 5 wildlife creates an adventure that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.