Dominant Duos and Unforgettable Trails: Cape Pioneer 2025 Wrap-Up

Travis Stedman (left) and Tristan Nortje (right) celebrate winning the Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen. Photo by Oakpics.com.

From Wilderness to the Swartberg Summit — A Week of Grit, Glory, and Gravel.

The 2025 edition of the Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, delivered five days of fierce racing, wild terrain, and dramatic twists across the Southern Cape. From the rugged climbs of Duiwelskop to the iconic summit of Swartberg Pass, South Africa’s “Race with Soul” proved once again why it sits at the heart of local mountain biking.

Samantha Sanders (left) and Vera Looser (right) douse each other in champagne to celebrate their 2025 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, title. Photo by Oakpics.com.

Only two teams ever wore the UCI category leaders’ jerseys — and both held them from day one to the final line.

In the UCI Men’s race, Toyota Imbuko Specialized ChemChamp’s Tristan Nortje and Travis Stedman opened with a commanding Stage 1 win that ultimately secured their GC title. Despite pressure from Honeycomb 226ers (Wessel Botha & Marc Pritzen), who claimed two stage victories and finished within four minutes, Nortje and Stedman managed the race with tactical composure and superb climbing, notably on the Queen Stage to Die Top.

In the UCI Women’s race, it was a near-perfect performance from Efficient Infiniti Insure’s Vera Looser and Samantha Sanders, who went five-for-five on stage wins — an extraordinary clean sweep that left their rivals trailing by more than 42 minutes. Riding with both dominance and a touch of mentorship, they even assisted their teammates (Efficient Infiniti 2) throughout the week.

Jaedon Terlouw making light work of the technical terrain. Photo by Oakpics.com.

• Stage 1: Duiwelskop played executioner. Nortje and Stedman powered to an early GC lead, while Looser and Sanders opened their account with a crushing win.
• Stage 2: Redemption day for PYGA Euro Steel (Foster & Terlouw) with a stage win, and Looser/Sanders added to their lead.
• Stage 3: A sprint showdown saw Honeycomb 226ers finally take a stage. Looser and Sanders remained unbeatable in pink.
• Stage 4 (Queen Stage): The decisive Swartberg climb crowned the GC leaders. Toyota Imbuko and Efficient Infiniti both won in yellow and pink respectively, with Nortje nearly breaking the segment’s Strava KOM.
• Stage 5 (Grand Finale): PYGA Euro Steel attacked for a second stage win, but the leaders remained composed. The GC titles were sealed with confident third-place finishes.

African Continental Marathon Champion, Vera Looser (leading), helped Samantha Sanders to victory on her first race day back from injury. Photo by Oakpics.com.

UCI Men’s Overall Results

The UCI Men’s General Classification Podium after Stage 5 (from left to right): Marc Pritzen, Wessel Botha, Travis Stedman, Tristan Nortje, Arno du Toit, and Keagan Bontekoning. Photo by Oakpics.com.

UCI Women’s Overall Results

The UCI Women’s General Classification Podium after Stage 5(from left to right): Bianca Haw, Danielle du Toit, Vera Looser, Samantha Sanders, Sarah Hill, and Step Wohlters. Photo by Oakpics.com.

Cape Pioneer 2025 was a masterclass in consistency, grit, and strategic brilliance. For Nortje, it was a childhood dream realised. For Sanders, a triumphant comeback. For South African MTB fans — five days of edge-of-the-saddle action through the soul of the Southern Cape.

To relive the magic, follow @capepioneer or visit capepioneer.co.za.