R700 000 on the line at the inaugural Garden Route Giro

The race will feature Dryland’s famous hospitality and a twist on the traditional water points.

Video

CYCLING NEWS AND VIDEO - The champions of the inaugural Garden Route Giro will ride away with R100 000 each after 685 kilometres of pure gravel racing.

Starting just outside Mossel Bay on 13 April and finishing six mountain passes and six days later in Wilderness, on the 18th, the first edition will challenge and reward.

Blending the back roads of Garden Route, Hessequa, Klein Karoo, and Great Karoo, beautiful scenery is guaranteed, as is Dryland Event Management’s famous organisation and hospitality.

A R700 000 prize purse to attract the world’s best

For the racers, there is a R700 000 prize purse, with jerseys and cash prizes for not only the general classification leaders, but for the sprinters and climbers too.

“To attract the best gravel racers possible, we’ve put together and announced a significant prize purse,” Henco Rademeyer of Dryland said.

“There’s R100 000 each for the men’s and women’s champions, R50 000 for the runners-up, and R30 000 for the third-place finishers. Currently, that’s about €5 260 for the champions, and €2 630 for second, and €1 580 for third. We’ll also be paying prize money down to fifth in the elite categories, and rewarding the points category winners with R25 000 in prize money, too.”

Elite category prize breakdown

“The age categories, including the Amateur (19-39), Veterans (40-49), Masters (50-59), and Grand Masters (60+), in both the men’s and women’s competitions, will receive cash equivalent coupons to spend on any Dryland event,” Rademeyer continued.

“The men’s and women’s winners in each of those four age categories will win R15 000, with the runners-up taking home R7 000, and the bronze medallists R3 000.”

The diverse, beautiful, and at times rugged landscapes of the Garden Route, Hessequa, Klein Karoo, and Great Karoo all add their unique flavours to the racing at the Garden Route Giro. Photo by Shift Media Co.

Racing within the race: Jerseys, points and competition

“We see gravel as being at its most enjoyable when it’s competitive,” Rademeyer explained. “To ensure the Garden Route Giro is competitive throughout the categories, there have to be prizes on the line, jerseys to race for, and races within the race for riders to contest. We also have some very exciting leaders, age categories, and points competition jerseys which draw inspiration from the floral kingdom the race will traverse.”

“The Protea, which is not only our national flower, but which also represents resilience, is subtly featured in each of the fourteen leaders’ jerseys,” Isabel Grimbeek, who designed the jerseys, revealed.

“The elite men and women will compete for the First Ascent Protea Aurea jerseys, with the women’s a lighter shade of yellow, the colour most frequently associated with leading a major bicycle race. The sprinters will be rewarded with eye-catching First Ascent Protea Velo purple jerseys, while the climbers’ First Ascent Rosa jerseys feature contours denoting the elevation gained above the Protea motif.

"Each of the open to grand masters age category general classification leaders will be rewarded, daily, with a Protea Nocturne jersey. This midnight blue design includes the stars for which the Karoo is famous.”

“For me, the Protea is a true South African emblem,” Grimbeek smiled. “It thrives where others falter, and there are species of Protea in the veld alongside the route on all six stages. The diversity of landscapes they flourish in will be emblematic of the characteristics of the champions of the Garden Route Giro will need to possess. The subtle, ghosted Protea petals across the chest are not just a design; they are a testament to the quiet strength, the unwavering focus and stamina required to take on this race.”

The race will feature Dryland’s famous hospitality and a twist on the traditional water points. Photo by Shift Media Co.

VIDEO: Garden Route Giro 2026

How to enter and learn more

To learn more about the First Ascent leaders’ jersey and to view the full breakdown of the prize purse, visit www.gardenroutegiro.co.za. There, riders will also be able to enter the inaugural edition of the race and choose the optional extra package that best suits their needs.

To delve into the details of the route, visit the race website, or read about the passes and poorts which form the highlights of each stage. To share in the excitement in the build-up to the race, like the Garden Route Giro Facebook page and follow @gardenroutegiro on Instagram.

2026 Garden Route GiroEvent Dates:13 – 18 April 2026Race Hubs:Mossel Bay, Riversdale, Calitzdorp, Prince Albert, De Rust, Knysna, & WildernessTotal Distance:685kmTotal Ascent:11 300mRide-Only:R29 000 per riderStandard Tent:R3 500 (Single Occupation)Luxury Tent:R7 500 (Single Occupation) or R11 500 (Double)Gold Package:SOLD OUTPremium Package:SOLD OUTEntry Information:www.gardenroutegiro.co.za/garden-route-giro-entry-infoFacebook:Garden Route GiroInstagram:@gardenroutegiroWebsite:www.gardenroutegiro.co.za

A mix of gravel and asphalt will ensure that the speeds are high and the racing is competitive. Photo by Shift Media Co.