The superstars of cycling arrived in Knysna today, 25th of October, to stretch their legs and share their stage race tactics ahead of the inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn, which starts on Sunday, 26 October.

The elite field, as well as 500 adventurous cyclists from around the world, will race for seven days and 800km, over gravel passes, country roads, and into South Africa’s Great Karoo region, finishing on Saturday, 1st of November inside the gates of the Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

In just 18 months from a spark of an idea to fully realised global event, Nedbank Gravel Burn has already made an impact on world cycling, as seen by the quality of the field of elite riders assembled, ready to get to grips with the fickle Garden Route weather on the roads of Knysna ahead of Sunday’s Stage One. Olympic Champions, World Champions, Grand Tour stage winners, Monument winners, mountain bike stage race winners and National Champions have all arrived in the country to test themselves at South Africa’s first seven-day gravel stage race.

“This is a fantastic way to see another part of the country and also an exciting chance to race in what is really the middle of nowhere,” said two-time South African National Gravel Champion Matt Beers at the elite rider press conference that officially opened the 2025 Nedbank Gravel Burn. “Every rider up here on the stage and in the audience is a dangerous competitor; we race against each other often and we enjoy it, so I think that means we should see some exciting racing in the coming week.”

Switzerland’s Simon Pellaud, a favourite for the Nedbank Gravel Burn title, said that no amount of planning can prepare riders for what lies in wait. “We can look at the route and the route profiles all week, but that will make little difference once the racing starts. Every day is going to be a surprise, which makes every day difficult for the riders at the front. I have raced in 50 countries, but this is my first time in South Africa, so I can’t wait to get out and attack the course.”

The men’s elite fields also boasts the likes of two-time mountain bike Olympic Champion Tom Pidcock, Australia’s multi-discipline legend Lachlan Morton and Giro d’Italia stage winner Lukas Pöstlberger. The women’s elite field is similarly high-calibre, featuring South African road ace Ashleigh Moolman-Pasion, Paris–Roubaix Femmes winner and Canadian road champion Alison Jackson, South African gravel Champion Hayley Preen and former Olympian and Swiss Epic winner Haley Smith.

“I am here to have fun,” said Jackson, when asked about her expectations of the week’s racing. “I am at the start of my racing season, so I am feeling fresh but maybe not as fit as I could be. But I am really fired up to experience a unique event and enjoy the community aspect and fireside chats of the Nedbank Gravel Burn.”   Moolman-Pasio added that what makes gravel so special is that it’s fiercely competitive on the bike, but highly social once the racing stops. “In road riding you spend most of your time with your team and it can become very focused. But gravel is very different in that you race solo, so it makes everything a lot more fun off the bike. I love the social aspect of the sport.”

The 2020 UCI eSports World Champion – which she lists as one of her proudest achievements – is eager to enjoy the social side of things but still race hard. “I have looked at the route and maybe earmarked a few stages which would suit me. Day one starts off with a bang with some tough climbing, which is a strength of mine. But it’s really hard to predict how the week will go, as there are so many elements in gravel that can impact racing. This is a trip into the unknown and I think we are all looking forward to it.”

Race founder Kevin Vermaak said it was an honour to have the world’s best gravel riders at the first Nedbank Gravel Burn. “I know from past experience how hard it is to get the best riders to race a brand new event, so to see all these remarkable athletes here is a privilege. This entire week is about hard racing and creating a community experience for all our riders. I’m looking forward to watching the race and to seeing our riders embrace the spirit of the Nedbank Gravel Burn.”