OUR PARTNERS
We value our partners and commit to them for the long-term journey of building an iconic African sports brand. Even after just a few months into the project, there has been tremendous support from our many friends and brands that have become aware of our project. We’ll add our sponsors and partners here, and give the context of our engagement, as the handshakes are made and the contracts are signed.
Title sponsor
Since day one we’ve had high ambitions—not just to create a world-leading event but also to redefine the category and cycling itself. None of this would be possible without Nedbank. Their belief in our vision and their investment in the future of cycling deserve the highest recognition. As our Title Sponsor, Nedbank brings more than just financial backing; they bring alignment in purpose. Their commitment to excellence, sustainability and transformative impact mirrors our own ambitions. Together, we are not just building a race but establishing a movement—one that pushes boundaries, elevates riders, and amplifies the sport’s global reach. With Nedbank on board we’re poised to break records, set new standards and create a legacy that extends far beyond the race itself. This is more than sponsorship; it’s a shared journey toward something truly great.
Headline sponsor
vehicle partner
Toyota’s support as the Official Vehicle Partner is the perfect match. Its alignment with Gravel Burn’s values of exploration and excellence. From day 1 when we conducted our exploration trips to the Karoo, plotting the route, meeting with members of the community, virtually all of the vehicles that we passed on these quiet roads in the Great Karoo were Toyotas. It was very clear to us then that we simply had to secure Toyota as our vehicle partner. In the words of the local farmers hosting Gravel Burn, ‘This is Toyota Country!”
Sponsors
cycling apparel partner
Known for their cutting-edge innovation and R&D, the Assos brand captures the same spirit of ‘premium adventure’ as Gravel Burn. Founder Kevin Vermaak reconnected with Assos (after a nine-year association as the official cycling apparel partner of the Cape Epic) at the Tour de France this year. Supportive from the very beginning, we’re excited to make the formal announcement. The Assos Gravel Burn leader jersey is sure to become one of the most sought after jerseys in the world of gravel bike racing. Who’ll be the first to wear it?
infrastructure & sustainability partner
From day one of Gravel Burn’s inception, ChemChamp has been a constant presence. Founder and CEO Daniel Tenner runs a large industrial material recycling organisation, leading the way in sustainable practices. He also happens to be a passionate cyclist. It was a perfect match, and within a very short time, we were working together on key infrastructure for our Burn Camps, with sustainability baked in. Beyond elevating the rider experience, ChemChamp’s involvement will also leave a lasting, positive impact on the farms and communities that host the event.
office space partner
One winter morning, when Gravel Burn was still just a spark of an idea, Kevin was tackling a task on his long to-do list: ‘Find office space.’ That’s just when a LinkedIn notification popped up—Andrew Robinson, a fellow cyclist and co-owner of WeWork South Africa, was also working on a new venture. Fast forward a month, and the Gravel Burn team had established the Gravel Burn HQ at WeWork Cape Town. Andrew and co-owner, Stef Migliore have each bought an OPEN WI.DE and started to train for the inaugural Gravel Burn.
Venue partner
In an ideal world, what could be a more fitting finish for gravel race participants from around the globe than a Big 5 welcome at a world-class reserve? The answer was clear—Shamwari Private Game Reserve. It was the first name on our list. CEO Joe Cloete leads a top-drawer hospitality team combining luxury with a forward-thinking approach to conservation. And his financial director Ruan Fick is a passionate cyclist, who joined us for our very first Trial Burn test event.
Venue partners
BURN CAMP LOCATION
Nestled in the heart of the Karoo, beneath the watchful Lootsberg mountains, Blaauwater is a place shaped by time and tradition. Home to the Kingwill family for generations, it stands as a testament to resilience and connection to the land. Life at Blaauwater Burn Camp is powered by the essentials – water drawn from the ancient Sundays River, fire fueling meal preparation and a community spirit that forges friendships to last a lifetime.
STAGE TOWN
Karoo hospitality is widely known and well documented as legendary. However, no guidebook could capture what we experienced when presenting the Gravel Burn concept (back then it was just an idea) to the townsfolk of Graaff Reinet. They welcomed us as warmly as they embraced the event as if it were their own. They’ve become our anchor in the heart of our race – the Great Karoo.
START LOCATION
For Kevin, Knysna holds a special nostalgia as the start town for the first five editions of the Cape Epic. Back then, MTB stage racing was still in its infancy, with much of the route following gravel roads. Kevin’s innovation shaped the race and helped evolve the sport itself, into a true test of any mountain biker. This time, instead of heading west, we venture east into gravel country. It is perhaps ironic, that 20 years later, the Gravel Burn also starts in Knysna, and will once again welcome riders from the world-over to start a week-long bike adventure.
Charity partners
Vulpro
Charity partner
We’re inspired by the resilience of the wild landscapes we traverse — and few species embody this spirit like vultures. VulPro, Africa’s leading vulture conservation organisation, is fighting to protect these remarkable animals, often called nature’s clean-up crew, from the brink of extinction. Through their rescue, rehabilitation, and breeding programmes, they’re safeguarding a critical part of our ecosystems. VulPro’s dedication to preserving biodiversity resonates deeply with us. As riders connect with the wild beauty of the Eastern Cape, VulPro’s mission reminds us of the importance of protecting the delicate balance of nature that sustains us all.
Charity partner
We believe every journey is enriched by the people who support it. Since 2001, the SA College for Tourism has been empowering marginalised youth in rural and peri-urban communities, creating opportunities in hospitality and conservation. With its focus on women’s empowerment and skills development, SACT has played a vital role in shaping the vision for our Burn Camps, where riders can experience the warmth and authenticity of South African hospitality. At Gravel Burn, we believe a world-class gravel stage race should leave a positive impact on the communities it touches.
Founding Friends
As kindred entrepreneurial spirits, the founders of Open and Nedbank Gravel Burn share a passion for business, cycling and premium bikes. Open kindly arranged 11 WI.DE bikes for our Trial Burn route test events.
Their wheels carried an African to 3 stage wins at the Tour de France. Newmen sent us 10 sets and now they’ve been tested on African soil, at our Trial Burn route recce (and still in perfect shape).
Woww have helped us create a digital space where our community can connect with our brand and our event – augmenting the Nedbank Gravel Burn experience without ever trying to replace the real adventure.
Ahead of the curve, owners Charles, Jarryd and Marc have helped grow SA’s fledgling gravel scene and now is part of the fabric of our cycling community. It’s our Local Bike Shop, yet so much more.
Working with M&C Saatchi Abel, we aimed to define the spirit of Nedbank Gravel Burn in a simple, iconic marque. Here, we represent a universal symbol of adventure, wide open spaces and the future — the horizon.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
PARTNER WITH US
Gravel Burn is as much a bike race as it is a community in which we all benefit from our individual contributions, and the collective. Get in touch to find out how to get on board as a partner.