Alison Jackson adds firepower to the women’s field for the inaugural 7-day race across South Africa. As the Pro field takes shape, the participation of one of the peloton’s most celebrated and charismatic figures: Alison Jackson. The Canadian rider, renowned for her tenacity and flair, will line up in Knysna on 26 October 2025 for the inaugural edition, cutting across South Africa’s most contrasting terrain over 7 days and 800km.
Jackson, the 2023 Paris-Roubaix Femmes winner, has consistently proven herself as one of the toughest and most versatile riders in the world. A fan favourite both on and off the bike, her palmarès includes multiple national titles, UCI WorldTour victories and podiums in stage races and one day races alike. Known for her attacking style, powerful sprint and magnetic personality, Jackson brings world-class pedigree to an already competitive women’s field.
“I’m racing the Nedbank Gravel Burn because it’s the kind of challenge I live for,” said Jackson. “It’s remote, it’s going to be hard with the line-up of great women riders and feels like a totally new adventure. The region looks spectacular, with the kind of route where it’s as much about the legs as it is about the head. And I can’t wait to make some new friends in the Burn Camps next to the fireside in the evenings. I’m all in for that.”
The Nedbank Gravel Burn is designed as an all-inclusive solo gravel race, with amateurs and professionals competing side-by-side. Starting in the coastal forests of Knysna and finishing in the Big Five territory of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, riders traverse the arid beauty of the Great Karoo over six passes with 11,000 metres of climbing. Riders are hosted in immersive “Burn Camps,” built around communal fires and the famous Karoo hospitality.
Jackson’s entry further strengthens the field, setting the stage for a high level of competition. She joins a stellar line-up of top riders, with the added allure of racing in one unified category: gravel bikes only, one distance and a focus on a pure South African gravel experience.
More than 20% of registered riders for the inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn are women, a promising indicator of how gravel stage racing appeals to a broader cycling audience. With its solo format, fully supported experience, and a strong amateur and pro field alike, the race offers an inclusive platform for competitive and committed riders. Jackson’s participation is expected to inspire even more women to take on the challenge.
“Our goal has always been to create a race that delivers on both ends. It’s deeply competitive at the front and inclusive throughout the field,” said Kevin Vermaak, founder of the Nedbank Gravel Burn. “Alison represents everything we value. Her commitment to the sport is felt around the world and on many levels. We’re incredibly proud to welcome her.”
The race will award equal prize money across all categories, with a $150,000 prize purse, the largest of any single gravel event. The format allows each rider, from elite to amateur, to take on the full distance under the same conditions and support structure. From the locally sourced fare to meeting and staying on location among the world’s best riders – Nedbank Gravel Burn promises an unforgettable cycling experience.
As Jackson prepares to swap the cobbles for the Karoo, anticipation for the Nedbank Gravel Burn’s first edition continues to build.