This year’s Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek route has been finalised and holds some spectacular highlights for the more than 800 riders to look forward to.
The tough climb to the summit of the Swartberg Pass will once again provide a spectacular stage setting for Stage two of the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek.
Photo: Zoon Cronje / Nikon / Xtremedia
The sixth edition of this international mountain bike stage race will take place on October 12 in South Africa.
For the first time, the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek will have International Cycling Union (UCI) grading status, which means an increase in prize money and the allocation of UCI rankings points to the top finishers on each stage and overall.
But most of the field won’t be concerned with podium battles, but rather conquering a race route that’s varied, challenging and rewarding, which contains some exciting fresh section as well as some old favourites, covering a distance of 574km with a total vertical ascent of 11 958 metres over the seven days.
A typically African bush experience will herald the opening stage, which is a 15.3km prologue time trial at the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge just outside the Western Cape town of Oudtshoorn.
Buffelsdrift is home to a variety of wildlife including three of the Big Five – buffalo, rhino and elephant – sure to create a powerful impact, not only on the international racers, but the South Africans too.
Riders can expect some short climbs and fast, flowing descents in the race opener, which climbs a total of 371 vertical metres.
“We change the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek route each year to ensure it stays interesting for the riders, many of whom return year after year, and that we make the most of the amazing variety of terrain we have in the region,” said Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management, the organisers.
Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek 2014 route summary:
October 12 – Prologue: 15.3km, 371m ascent, Buffelspoort Game Lodge
October 13 – Stage one: 100km, 1794m ascent, Oudtshoorn-Calitzdorp
October 14 – Stage two: 86km, 2781m ascent, Calitzdorp-Swartberg Pass
October 15 – Stage three: 107km, 1543m, Prince Albert-De Rust
October 16 – Stage four: 109km, 2690m ascent, De Rust-George
October 17 – Stage fove: 71km, 1755m ascent, George-Herold
October 18 – Stage six: 86km, 1024m Herold-Oudtshoorn
