The Swartberg 100 in South Africa joins UCI Gravel World Series

South Africa’s premier gravel race, the Swartberg 100 Gran Fondo, has officially achieved Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) accreditation for the 2023 Gravel World Championship Series 

The Swartberg Gran Fondo South Africa's first and only UCI accredited gravel race. Set to take place on 29 April 2023, the 171km gravel race, covers a total of 3,000m of climbing.

Starting in Prince Albert, the 171km route covers a combination of tar and gravel sectors, with the gravel comprising a total of 79km. The course traverses steep mountain passes, gruelling gravel and tar stretches, and fast technical descents. Its founder, John Swanepoel describes the Swartberg 100 Gran Fondo as, “Arguably one of the toughest Gran Fondo’s in the world.”

The dramatic landscapes this race traverses are quite simply breathtaking and riders will leave with lasting memories. The Swartberg mountains are amongst the best exposed fold mountain chains in the world, and the road slices through these magnificently scenic rock formations.

Riders are given a 10 hour window to finish the 171km circular route from Prince Albert, through the town of De Rust and ending back in Prince Albert. The first 86km of the race is considered the more “flat and rolling” terrain, whilst the second 86km heads into the hills with Middelwater climb, Oudemuragie Pass and the Swartberg Pass. There are four strategically placed waterpoints placed along the way to keep riders fully hydrated in the heat of the day.

The Oudemuragie Pass is 31km long climb with a total ascent of 595m. 

The formidable gravel Swartberg Pass is a relentless climb of 28km, with the final 9.8km reaching gradients of 16% in places. It’s a total 745m ascent to the final waterpoint at the 150km Swartberg Pass summit. 

The 21km decent down the Swartberg Pass back to Prince Albert is beautiful and fast, and particularly sketchy,  Once in Prince Albert, riders are greeted by a festival vibe with local craft beer, Klippies & Cola, and of course, exaggerated war stories and promises to return.

Event accommodation is available in the tented village, conveniently situated about 800m from the start, in either luxury glamping tents that include linen and breakfast, or standard 3x3 dome tents with linen. For riders opting not to stay in the tents, bed & breakfasts and self-catering options are available in town, though limited. The race village promises a space with manicured lawns, hot, high-pressure showers, and fireside koffie and condensed milk to rekindle any lost amp factor at dawn.

To learn more visit: https://www.swartberg100.com

 

 
Tag: ucigravelws
 
Dec 22 2022 - NEWS: Trek UCI Gravel World Series doubles in size in its second year
Dec 13 2022 - NEWS: The Swartberg 100 in South Africa joins UCI Gravel World Series
Dec 09 2022 - NEWS: Fayetteville to represent U.S. as gravel cycling world championship qualifier city
Oct 16 2022 - NEWS: Cyclists celebrate Veneto week with Cancellara, Colbrelli and Pozzato
Oct 09 2022 - NEWS: Gianni Vermeersch wins the first men's UCI Gravel World Championships
Oct 08 2022 - NEWS: Pauline Prevot-Ferrand takes first rainbow jersey at UCI Gravel World Championships
Oct 04 2022 - NEWS: Van der Poel and Sagan to ride UCI Gravel World Championships at the Veneto Classic
Oct 07 2022 - NEWS: UCI Gravel World Championships Elite Start Lists
Oct 07 2022 - NEWS: Stars Come To First UCI Gravel World Championships
Sep 21 2022 - NEWS: Peter Sagan To Ride The First Gravel World Championships
Sep 23 2022 - NEWS: UCI Gravel World Championships awarded to Flanders 2024, Nice 2025, Australia 2026 and Haute Savoie 2027
Sep 21 2022 - NEWS: Race routes announced for first UCI Gravel World Championships in Veneto, Italy, 8-9 October
Sep 19 2022 - NEWS: USA Cycling announces Team for 2022 UCI Gravel World Championships
Sep 06 2022 - NEWS: The UCI reveals race routes for first UCI Gravel World Championships
Jun 27 2022 - NEWS: Evans and Ramsey win on home ground at the UCI Highlands Gravel Classic
Apr 02 2023 - EVENT: UCI Gravel Philippines
Apr 23 2023 - EVENT: La Indomable
May 06 2023 - EVENT: Gravel Challenge Blaavands Huk
May 13 2023 - EVENT: 3RIDES Gravel Race
May 20 2023 - EVENT: The Gralloch
Jun 11 2023 - EVENT: Blue Mountains Gravel Fondo
Jun 18 2023 - EVENT: Wish One Gravel Race
Jun 24 2023 - EVENT: Highlands Gravel Classic
Jul 15 2023 - EVENT: Gravel One Fifty
Jul 22 2023 - EVENT: Gravel Adventure
Aug 05 2023 - EVENT: Jingle GX Gravel Race
Aug 19 2023 - EVENT: Gravel Grit n Grind
Aug 26 2023 - EVENT: Houffa Gravel
Sep 02 2023 - EVENT: La Monsterrato-Strade Bianche
Sep 09 2023 - EVENT: Specialized Gravel Series Limburg