MTB | Scenic Underberg Gran Fondo waits for the growing gravel crew
Underberg - Gravel racing returns to KZN on July 27 when the Underberg Gran Fondo will once again entice riders to enjoy one of the country's most scenic routes through the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg.
This will be just the third edition of the Underberg Gran Fondo, but the event is riding the wave of the fastest growing facet of cycling and has already built a reputation as a true test of gravel racing.
The main 140km route takes riders on a circular course from just outside the quaint town of Underberg, through some truly spectacular scenery in the foothills of the Drakensberg. Competitors take in three different valley systems, creating a great combination of hills and descents to test the fitness, strength and skills of the riders.
Joanna van de Winkel crosses the line to win the 2023 Underberg Gran Fondo
Riders also have the option for a shorter 90km event that follows the same route as the long event for the first 63km, before it peels off and "shortcuts" its way back to the race village on the outskirts of Underberg.
For those riders who are looking for something a little more relaxing, but still want to experience the vibe of the event, the 41km Tour de Farms provides a relatively easy option.
Gravel racing has exploded in popularity all over the world and the growth of the relatively new facet of the sport in this country has been equally impressive, with the recent 165km South African Championships attracting more than 1 600 riders.
Gravel racing seems to have found a niche between the excitement of mountain biking and the bunch-racing nature of road riding. The sport has become attractive to road cyclists who enjoy the tactical elements of the events, but are wary of the technical side of some mountain bike routes.
Brandon Downes celebrates wining the 2023 Underberg Gran Fondo
Mountain biking enjoyed a remarkable growth pre-Covid, and many of the riders who flocked to the sport in those golden years are now adding the gravel events as an alternative form of racing and training.
Underberg Gran Fondo organiser Pierre Horn is excited about the upcoming event and expects the 2024 edition to be better than before.
"We have learned a lot over the past two years and taken heed of what the riders like and what they have asked for," said Horn this week. "We will not be making any major changes, because the feedback we have had is that the race is a good test of gravel racing, but there will be a few tweaks to improve what we offer.
"We are very proud of this region and believe the event is probably the most scenic gravel race in the country. Last year we got some spectacular photos of riders riding in front of the beautiful snow-capped Drakensberg mountain peaks.
"We try and create a route that offers something that tests a full range of skills. There are some big climbs, particularly in the 140km race, but that is balanced out by some wonderful, long, flowing descents.
"We know the race is not easy – 140km on gravel is never going to be easy – but we think we have created an event that tests riders and the winner knows he has earned the right to be called a champion."
Entries are open and more info can be found at https://underberggranfondo.co.za/