A consistently deep and strong elite field has, along with a record of superb organisation, allowed the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, to gain the highest possible Stage Hors Classe status from the Union Cycliste Internationale. Photo by Oakpics.com.
For the twelfth edition of the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, South Africa’s premier four-day Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) stage race will be awarded Stage Hors Classe (SHC), the highest status possible for mountain bike stage races.
The upgrade from S1 categorisation comes with increased prize money as well as additional UCI marathon category points for the elite campaigners and locates the race in a prestigious class with just three other events globally. This should boost the race’s status internationally, though the focus is delivering an exceptional experience to all participants – across the elite and amateur categories – on and off the bike from the 6th to the 9th of February 2025.
To achieve SHC status an event must meet stringent criteria, set out by the UCI, for a number of years. These stipulations include maintaining organisational excellence; namely upholding high standards of event management, logistics, and safety, as well as compliance with UCI rules and regulations. The event also needs to hold notable prestige within the cycling community and attract top-tier professional teams and riders. Along with those factors deep competition, substantial prize money, in line with UCI SHC stipulations, and media exposure also play a role in the sport’s governing body’s classification criteria. The Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, is the second South African event to gain this status, after the Cape Epic, and is joined in the top tier by the Spanish stage races, the Mediterranean Epic MTB and the Andalucía Bike Race. The former takes place at the same time as the South African stage race, while the event in the southernmost autonomous community in Peninsular Spain takes place at the end of February and into March.
Numerous former and reigning UCI World Champions have graced the trails of the Koue Bokkeveld, including Mona Mitterwallner. Photo by Max Sullivan.
“For nearly a decade Momentum has had the privilege of working alongside Dryland Event Management to continually uplift the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen,” Carel Bosman, Head of Strategic Business Momentum Health, reflected. “The award of UCI SHC status is by no means the culmination of those efforts, but rather a milestone along the journey which we can all be exceptionally proud of. It recognises the hard work the organising team, as well as all the sponsors and partners, have put in to attracting a deep international field, year-on-year.”
“We are certainly looking forward to attracting some big names to the Koue Bokkeveld in 2025 and beyond,” Bosman continued. “The race has already hosted the likes of Nino Schurter, Henrique Avancini, Manuel Fumic, Sam Gaze, Karl Platt, Urs Huber, Anne Terpstra, Mona Mitterwallner, Annie Last, and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. I’ve heard rumours that another former World Champion will grace the trails next year too as she starts her season in South Africa.”
The diversity and difficulty of the course also played a role in the UCI’s decision making process. Photo by Oakpics.com.
“It is certainly nice to receive international acclaim and recognition, though our focus will always be on providing a stellar race experience for all the riders, from the fastest elites to those amateurs for whom taking part is a bucket list item,” Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management promised. “That being said, we are exceptionally proud of the recognition the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, has received and will continue to strive to exceed the expectations of the UCI and more importantly the UCI elite teams.”
Ghost Factory Racing are among the European team who have chosen to start their seasons at the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen. Photo by Oakpics.com.
The increase in status from UCI S1 to SHC brings with it an increase in UCI Points, which directly impact the global ranking and eligibility of riders for major events, including the UCI World Championships. The points available at SHC races are only trumped by those on offer at World Cup and World Championships, and as such will go a long way to determining the starting positions of riders for those prestigious races. Alongside the increase in points is an boost in prize money. The total prize purse for 2025 increases to R419 960, with the R57 380 * (According to the US Dollar exchange rate at the time of writing) for each of the elite men’s and women’s competition bolstering the R230 000 total prize winnings on offer for the top three men’s and women’s team on the final general classification standings. A further R10 000 will also be paid to the first men’s and women’s teams to the summit of the Merino Monster on Stage 3.
Along with increased UCI points the race will feature nearly R500 000 in prize money, including the King and Queen of the Mountain prize for the first Elite Men’s and Women’s team to reach the summit of the Merino Monster on Stage 3. Photo by Oakpics.com.
For more information on the 2025 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, visit www.tankwatrek.co.za. Limited entries are still available.
