The Great Karoo is remote as it comes, and that’s the appeal. In fact when it comes to some of the places we visit, there’s one road in and one road out. 500 riders tearing along with a full media compliment is one thing. Add in spectators with their vehicles rushing to the next vantage point, and it becomes unpleasant and dangerous. Fast. One of the most important decisions we made, to ensure that the event is the most immersive and rewarding experience possible for the riders, was to make Nedbank Gravel Burn a spectator-free event.

Here’s why:

An interrupted rider experience

Nedbank Gravel Burn should be a full-body, full heart experience. Riders are physically, emotionally and mentally invested in every stage. Without roadside distractions, the event stays pure, quiet and completely rider-focused. This preserves the very essence of the event: raw, immersive, and unforgettable.

Riders and the communities

Nedbank Gravel Burn is rooted in the Great Karoo and the communities along the route are part of its soul. We are highly aware that we are bringing our riders and crew into fragile environments with limited resources. That’s why we’re building Burn Camps in partnership with the communities, so riders benefit from their legendary Karoo hospitality: from meals prepared on-site to the very land access that makes the event possible. In return, the event creates meaningful economic opportunities right where they’re needed most. We aim to create a balanced ecosystem and to avoid anything upsetting that.

We are your support

Gravel racing is still a relatively young category, especially when it comes to stage racing. In other major races, privateers line up against riders backed by established trade teams. We believe it should be equal support for all. That’s why we provide centralised, neutral tech support, while disallowing private dedicated support crews. When the lines are blurred between moral support and logistical assistance, it tilts the race against solo riders without the same resources. Every rider, pro or privateer, receives the same assistance, ensuring the competition is about individual performance.

Nedbank Gravel Burn is not about roaring roadside crowds. It’s about the silence… only riders, landscapes and the communities that make it possible. We ask that all friends and fans respect this decision; so that those who take on the race can take it all in.