![\"ccs-62657-0-01099400-1441860444.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-01099400-1441860444.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>In addition to stunning scenery and challenging terrain, the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek will now also offer a significantly boosted prize money purse. \/\/ Photo credit: www.oakpics.com.<\/span>Our decision to increase the prize money is part of our investment in the Tankwa Trek as an event aimed at the committed mountain bikers who take their racing seriously,\u201d said Carel Herholdt of Dryland Event Management, co-owners and organisers of the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on the huge interest in what\u2019s a very new event, particularly in 2015, by teams preparing for the Cape Epic, we have decided to built the Tankwa Trek into a race that caters properly for the fit, conditioned racers and the prize money will certainly be a draw card, not only for South Africans but for international teams too,\u201d added Herholdt<\/p>\n
\u201cTaking place exactly four weeks before the 2016 ABSA Cape Epic, the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek is ideally positioned on the calendar for riders eager to test their equipment, physical condition and partnership strength,\u201d said Sean Badenhorst, editor of TREAD magazine, who competed in the 2015 event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Tankwa Trek is a hard, but rewarding race that really tests you on every level as a mountain biker and the intensity of the racing is as high as that which we experienced at the 2015 Cape Epic. The Merino Monster climb on Day 2 of the Tankwa Trek pushed me to my absolute limit and I can happily say it was harder than any of the climbs I faced at the Cape Epic a few weeks later,\u201d added Badenhorst.<\/p>\n
In addition to the attractive prize money on offer, the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek has invested heavily in media around the event, with a dedicated PR service as well as a TV production which gives riders and their sponsors valuable exposure both in South Africa and abroad.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand the value of media exposure for sponsors both of our events and those of the racing teams and that\u2019s why we have ensured we give a full media package to the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek,\u201d explained Herholdt.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn keeping with our commitment to help grow women\u2019s racing, the prize money for overall placings for men and women \u2013 both team and solo \u2013 is equal. We also recognise the importance of the Veteran, Master and Mixed racing categories and have ensured good prize money in those divisions,\u201d added Herholdt.<\/p>\n
The amount hasn\u2019t yet been revealed, but Gillie Geldenhuis, who owns the farm Merino used on Day 2, will once again offer a prize for the first South African team to the summit of the Merino Monster climb.
While the routes have yet to be finalised the 2016 Tankwa Trek is expected to cover a total distance of around 250km with approximately 4500 metres of vertical ascent. The event is based at Kaleo Guest Farm in the Kouebokkeveld region of South Africa\u2019s Western Cape province, offering some of the most spectacular scenery and varied terrain.<\/p>\n
New DUTOIT Tankwa Trek prize money breakdown (final overall placings):<\/h2>\n
Overall Men Team:<\/strong> 1st R50 000, 2nd R20 000, 3rd R10 000
Overall Women Team:<\/strong> 1st R50 000, 2nd R20 000, 3rd R10 000
Veteran Men (40-49 years) Team:<\/strong> 1st R10 000, 2nd R6 000, 3rd R3 000
Master Men (50 years +) Team:<\/strong> 1st R10 000, 2nd R6 000, 3rd R3 000
Mixed Team:<\/strong> 1st R10 000, 2nd R6 000, 3rd R3 000
Solo Men:<\/strong> 1st R3 000, 2nd R1 000, 3rd R800
Solo Women:<\/strong> 1st R3 000, 2nd R1 000, 3rd R800
TOTAL:<\/strong> R226 600<\/p>\n