The 2024 Trans Baviaans which will take place on August
10, from Willowmore to Jeffreys Bay, marks the 20th edition of the
country’s favourite single-stage marathon mountain bike event.
Over the last two decades the Baviaanskloof has presented
challenges as varied as the magnificent nature reserve itself; from sweltering
heat to icy cold, torrential flooding to arid droughts.
This year’s traverses
of the largest wilderness area in South Africa will once again present unique
challenges with 63 river crossings and measures put in place to mitigate the
further spread of a Foot-And-Mouth Disease outbreak which has affected the
Eastern Cape cattle and sheep farmers.
It will still reward too, as the infamous R332 road has
been graded all the way to Rooihoek, well within the rugged reserve. This, a
predicted tail wind in the first 140 kilometres, and a strong elite field
should all contribute to an attempt on the course record.
Valley Electrical Titan Racing and Insect Science
headline the showdown for the Trans Baviaans Race title.
The first of two events, starts at 10:00 in Willowmore on
August 10, and concludes after 227 kilometres of racing and 2 850 metres
of climbing at Mentors Country Estate in Jeffreys Bay.
Zane Schmahl, of the Trans Baviaans said, “We’re
expecting a fast edition.”
“The recently graded road makes it possible to not just
complete the course on a gravel bike, as a few riders have done in the past,
but to race a gravel bike too.”
Rossouw Bekker, of Valley Electrical Titan Racing said
while laughing, “We have gone back and forth on which bikes to race. It’ll be my first Trans Baviaans so I’m really excited.”
“It’s an iconic event and one I have somehow never done.
We will be pushing the limits of our Titan Racing Switch gravel bikes tyre
clearance and have fitted 2.1 inch mountain bike tyres, with tubeless inserts.
I think gravel bikes will be significantly faster leading into the Reserve and
then across the closing kilometres to Jeffreys Bay too, so we’ll just have to
be cautious when it gets rough.”
Bekker will be partnered by Matthys Beukes in a
formidable team, which on paper has the firepower to challenge the existing
course record of seven hours, 51 minutes and six seconds.
“There’s a strong line-up and our target is to avoid
riding in the dark,” Bekker alluded, avoiding any outright confirmation of
record chasing goals.
Arno du Toit and his Insect Science teammate, Keagan
Bontekoning, are Bekker and Beukes’ most formidable rivals.
In 2018 Du Toit dipped below the eight-hour mark himself,
finishing before sunset alongside Gert Heyns.
“Let’s be honest, we’re not really conditioned to race
for over or close to eight hours,” Du Toit allowed.
“It’s a bit different than the stuff we normally prepare
and train for. I really feel Trans Baviaans is one of the most iconic events in
our country and always have it on the calendar, so I’m super happy that it fits
in with our racing schedule this year. It’s also a beautiful part of South
Africa and awesome to explore it on a bicycle.
“I like the different challenges it brings. Not only in
terms of a long day out, but from equipment choice to planning nutrition,
effort management and other strategies while staying motivated mentally.
“I do think it would be really cool to race on a gravel
bike, but Keagan was too soft, so not this year unfortunately,” Du Toit joked.
“I think there are some rough sections in the kloof which
won’t be efficient at all and will take too much effort to get through. We’re
just running fast tyres, Schwalbe Thunder Burts on the Giant Anthems. I think
that will be the fastest choice.”
Route update and a new finish venue
Du Toit and Heyns lost the lead and the chance at a
course record, in 2018, by taking a wrong turn after Check Point 7.
It is a tough lesson which should serve to remind every
team taking part in the Trans Baviaans that the route is unmarked. “Trans
Baviaans operates on an adventure racing ethos,” Schmahl noted.
“Every rider is encouraged to download the GPX files and
to familiarise themselves with the route, which has changed slightly this year.
We are going back to a start in the centre of Willowmore, alongside the town
hall, and have moved the finish line to the Mentors Country Estate.”
The 63 water crossings have been meticulously graded by the
event organisers.
“There are 24 crossings which are simply a wet trickle
over the road, 12 which will create a splash as you ride through, 19 where you
will get your feet wet, and seven which will require you to get off and push
your bike. One, the Langwater after the Smitskraal Check Point 123 kilometres
in, is a swim hazard if you get it horribly wrong. So, exercise caution,”
Schmahl advised.
“We also need riders to comply with the Foot-And-Mouth
Disease mitigation measures we have put in place, in order to help the local
farmers who do so much for the event.”
“At Check Point 7, after 205 kilometres at Zuurbron,
every bicycle’s wheels will be sprayed with disinfectant and thereafter you
will cycle through disinfectant baths at several farm gates. Please remove your
bottles from your bike for the spray process and when riding through the baths.
This process is to prevent the spread of the viral disease between affected and
non-affected herds of cows, pigs, sheep, and goats.”
Weather conditions are looking positive for the Trans
Baviaans Race. Fresh, yet not overly cold, conditions are predicted for
Willowmore on Saturday morning, along with a nine metres per second breeze from
the Northwest.
The breeze is expected to rise to 10 metres per second in
the Baviaanskloof while the temperature should also increase to a maximum of 20
degrees Celsius.
At least 1.2 millimetres of rain is predicted for
Jefferys Bay on Saturday evening, along with a gentle five metres per second Southwest
headwind.
Temperatures on the coast should also be warmer than
inland with a low of 14 expected overnight and into the early hours of Sunday
morning.
To share in the action as it unfolds, on the 227
kilometre route, follow @transbaviaans
on Instagram or like the Trans Baviaans 24HR MTB Race Facebook page.
For more information, to download route files, and to
read the 2024 Race or Supporter Guides visit www.transbaviaans.co.za.
