RACING
WHO'S RIDING
A UNIFIED FIELD
Nedbank Gravel Burn gathers a dynamic field of top competitors and keen amateurs: professional road cyclists, gravel specialists, mountain bikers, cyclocross racers and track riders all vying for the honour of claiming the inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn title. It's a rare opportunity for all to ride and live among Olympic and world champions – the finest athletes in the sport – in this true pro-am race.
STAGE RACING
FORMAT
Like most typical cycling stage races, Nedbank Gravel Burn is a timed event where riders compete solo across seven days of mass-start stages. Riders’ stage times are added together and the rider with the lowest cumulative time is the leader of the race on each day and the winner at the end of the 7-day race. Riders compete to wear the leader’s jersey in their respective category. In addition to being required by race rules to finish within the maximum allowed stage time each day, riders are subject to the event’s rules. The spirit of these rules emphasises fair play, respectful behaviour and active environmental consciousness.
DOWNLOAD NEDBANK GRAVEL BURN RACE RULES HERE
NIGHT BURN
While stage wins and general classification are the most coveted accolades, there are other contests held at Nedbank Gravel Burn. At the 2025 edition, Night Burn brought big energy to Blaauwater Burn Camp with a chase-the-fox style criterium where Tom Pidcock started last, picking off riders one by one. Watch this space for 2026's nocturnal activities...
PRO-AM RACE
CATEGORIES
Riders may select the category in which they would like to race. Riders wishing to compete for prize money (total prize purse = $150,000) must choose the Pro category. Riders selecting the Age Group category will automatically be placed in their respective age group based on date of birth and gender.
There will be equal prize money for men and women in the Pro category for daily stages and the overall GC ranking (see below for breakdown). Pro women will start in a separate batch after the Pro men to ensure a fair racing environment.
PRIZE MONEY BREAKDOWN
Nedbank Gravel Burn’s total prize purse of $150,000 is split equally between men’s and women’s Pro categories.
| GC | Prize Money | Stage | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $18,000 | 1st | $1,500 |
| 2nd | $10,000 | 2nd | $1,000 |
| 3rd | $7,500 | 3rd | $500 |
| 4th | $5,500 | — | — |
| 5th | $4,000 | — | — |
| 6th | $3,000 | — | — |
| 7th | $2,250 | — | — |
| 8th | $1,500 | — | — |
| 9th | $1,250 | — | — |
| 10th | $1,000 | — | — |
PRO MEN & PRO WOMEN'S TEAMS CLASSIFICATION
For the first time, the 2026 Nedbank Gravel Burn will include a Teams Classification — a race within a race, created to recognise the growing role of professional gravel teams. The individual race remains the foundation of the event, while the Teams Classification introduces a dedicated competitive layer to the event.
Structure: A team may consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of four riders. At the end of each stage, the results of the top three riders from each team are combined to determine a team stage ranking. The overall Teams Classification is determined by a points system across all seven stages, with bonus points available for individual stage results and Night Burn participation. The team leading the Teams Classification will carry a unique number during the race. Teams have the option to add a soigneur/masseur and a mechanic within the team structure.
Awards: There is no prize money allocated to the Teams Classification. The winning team will receive a Nedbank Gravel Burn Teams Classification winners’ prize awarded at the podium ceremony at the final Burn Celebration party.
Privateer racers: The Teams Classification is open to all in the Pro Men or Pro Women categories. It is structured so that privateers may also register a group of riders or a team specifically for the race, for alliances, recognition and to qualify for the added benefits of extra support on the ground.
If you’d like to enter a team, please contact us for more information.
THE CHALLENGE
WHAT IT TAKES
You’ll cover 750km over 7 days on relatively smooth, non-technical gravel roads. While the demands of the course are lighter than those of a mountain bike stage race, the cumulative fatigue of racing for multiple days shouldn’t be underestimated. Completing the race requires endurance, experience, and preparation – qualities that are within reach of a moderately fit cyclist or someone with a solid background in another demanding endurance sport. Honing your bunch-riding skills and committing 12 or more hours a week over six months should provide a solid foundation for success at Nedbank Gravel Burn.
Pro RIDER APPLICATION
There are a limited number of pro-rider packages available. An early application is advantageous to be eligible for a pro-rider package.
Applications are evaluated based on a rider’s palmares and historic commitment to, and performance at, the Nedbank Gravel Burn.
If you’d like to race in the Pro category, please contact us for more information.
Entries for Nedbank Gravel Burn 2026 are open.
After clicking ENTER NOW, select whether you’re entering as a South African / Namibian rider, or as an international rider.