WindlineAbout the race
The Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek is a four-stage mountain bike race in the Koue Bokkeveld and Witzenberg area near Ceres in the Western Cape. It is run by Dryland Event Management and is billed as one of the first UCI events of the season.
History
The organiser's results archive goes back to 2013, which gives a sense of how long the event has been on the calendar. It sits in the same stable as other Dryland events such as the Attakwas Extreme, and it has a loyalty scheme through which finishers earn points towards discounts at later races.
The course
The organiser describes breathtaking trails through the Bokkeveld and winding routes in the Witzenberg, with rocky outcrops and climbs steeper than riders expect. Some trails are hand-built and smooth, while others are rough and loose. Past reports mention a hard stage nicknamed the Merino Monster, and a time trial on the Thursday afternoon of race week. The race village is at Malabar Farm in the Koue Bokkeveld, and the organiser's pages describe Karoo hospitality at the Kaleo Guest Farm.
Distances
The race is made up of four stages. The detailed distance for each stage is published on its own route page for the year.
Cut-offs and entry
The 2027 race runs from 11 to 14 February 2027, with online entry open. The organiser lists these cut-offs:
- Stage 1: 3 hours from start
- Stage 2: 4.5 hours at water point 2 and 8.5 hours at the finish, from your batch start
- Stage 3: 6 hours at water point 3 and 9 hours at the finish
- Stage 4: 6 hours at the finish
Refunds fall in steps, with the refund share shrinking as the race draws closer, and substitutions are allowed until 11 January 2027. A podium category needs at least five teams to qualify for prize money.
Where to watch
Race village life centres on Malabar Farm. Each stage has water points that supply drinks and food, and the organiser's route pages list their positions.
Weather
February is high summer in the Western Cape interior. The organiser warns that the region has unforgiving summers and harsh winters, and past riders mention extreme heat during the afternoon time trial. This is a general seasonal description, not a forecast.