The very first Garden Route Giro rolls out on Monday, 13 April, and it’s not just another new race on the calendar. With R700,000 in total prize money – and R100,000 going to each of the elite winners – it’s immediately attracted a seriously competitive field.
On the men’s side, you’ve got a really interesting mix. Proven gravel names like Marco Joubert, Travis Stedman, Jaques Hanekom, Daniel Loubser, and Jan Withaar go up against road specialists such as Kent Main and Johannes Hirschbichler. Then there’s the next wave – riders like Herman Fourie and Cronje Beukes – who’ll be lining up with something to prove.
The women’s race looks just as stacked. Vera Looser headlines the field, but she won’t have it easy with Yolande de Villiers, Cape Town Cycle Tour winner Lisa Bone, Bianca Haw, Catherine Kruger, Danielle du Toit, and Dutch all-rounder Mariëlle Trouwborst all in the mix.
This Race Is Going to Be Decided in the Mountains
If there’s one thing that stands out about this route, it’s the climbing. Four of the six stages feature big mountain passes, and it’s hard to see the overall being decided anywhere else.
The Swartberg Pass — climbed twice on Stages 3 and 4 — is going to shape the race, no question. But the real make-or-break day feels like the Queen Stage from De Rust to Knysna. That’s where I expect the biggest gaps.
This isn’t a race where you can just sit in and survive. You’ll need to descend well, take risks when it matters, and still have the power for those long run-ins to the finish. The winner won’t just be strong — they’ll need to be complete.
Men’s Race: Depth Everywhere You Look
On current form, Joubert and Stedman look like the benchmark, especially with Ignatius du Preez backing them up early on. If it comes down to pure gravel pedigree, Stedman probably has the edge.
But they’re far from alone. Insect Science brings real depth with Arno du Toit, Keagan Bontekoning, Wessel Botha, and Withaar. Bontekoning could be a sleeper pick – he’s fresher than most. Botha’s recent health issues are a bit of a question mark, but the dry Klein Karoo air might actually suit him. Withaar, though, feels like the steady danger – especially once the race hits those long climbs.
Then there are the teams with multiple cards to play – Hollard, Humanpwr Racing, Fly Cool Collective, and CVNR. The Namibian duo of Hanekom and Theuns van der Westhuizen should love the terrain, but the shorter stage format might not play fully to their ultra-endurance strengths.
Hirschbichler is another fascinating one. He’s got serious engine – proven in time trials back home in Austria – and if he can stay close over the climbs, his power on flatter sections could make him very dangerous.
Main and Keanan Roodt bring something different. They don’t race gravel often, but they’re among the most talented riders in the country. Their presence could shake up the racing tactically, which might actually suit someone like Loubser – especially given how well he knows these roads.
Keep an eye on Fourie and Keegan Tullis too. They’re coming in with confidence after their last stage race, and they’ll be motivated to challenge the bigger teams. The same goes for Beukes, who carries local knowledge as the only Southern Cape rider in the elite men’s field – though he’ll have to do it without team support.
Victor Olckers and Morne Immelman round things out. Whether they go stage hunting or ride consistently, this race gives them six solid chances to make a mark.
Women’s Race: Looser Starts as Favourite — Even Without Gravel Experience
One of the most intriguing storylines is Vera Looser. Despite her road career – including three Olympic appearances – she’s never actually raced gravel. Still, it’s hard not to see her as the favourite. She just feels like a natural fit for this kind of racing.
Yolande de Villiers, though, has a big advantage: she knows these roads inside out after years of racing and training here. That local knowledge could count for a lot.
Lisa Bone, Catherine Kruger, and Bianca Haw form a really strong chasing group. Bone’s aggressive style will make things exciting. Kruger combines experience with deep course knowledge. Haw might be the wildcard – she has the engine, but it’s a question of whether she’s quite at peak form yet.
Danielle du Toit is another rider I’m watching closely. After a tough 2025, she’s shown signs of coming back to herself this year. If her build-up has gone well, she could absolutely be back in contention.
And then there’s Trouwborst – bringing a bit of European firepower into the mix. Her mix of beach racing and gravel could make her more versatile than expected.
Behind them, Cherise Willeit stands out as a potential podium outsider, leading a group of riders balancing training with full lives off the bike. Chloë Bishop has already shown she’s quick, and Sanchia Malan could surprise if she targets specific stages.
Rounding out the field are Juanita Mackenzie, Rethe Mostert, Kylie Hanekom, and Nicola Freitas.
What I like most about the Garden Route Giro
What I like most about this race is how open it feels. Yes, there are favourites, but the terrain, the format, and the mix of riders mean a lot can happen over six days.
If anything, the first Garden Route Giro isn’t just about who’s strongest – it’s about who can adapt best.
For more information, visit www.gardenroutegiro.co.za. The action gets underway on Monday, 13 April, 2026 at 10:00 [South African Time | GMT +2].
