![\"ccs-62657-0-70618300-1409919495.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-70618300-1409919495.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Swartberg Pass, an 11-kilometre, 1100-metre out-of-category climb, will once again be a key feature of the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek international mountain bike stage race in South Africa next month. \/\/ Photo credit: Zoon Cronje\/Nikon\/Xtremedia<\/span><\/p>\n The seven-day race, which starts on 12 October 2014, covers a distance of 574km with a total vertical ascent of 11 958 metres. It starts and finishes in Oudtshoorn in South Africa\u2019s Western Cape province and takes riders through three different eco regions in what is one of the most diverse bicycle race routes on the international calendar.<\/p>\n While the Prologue time trial and Stages 1, 2 and 3 are similar to last year, Stages 4, 5 and 6 will be very different with some significant changes being made that the organisers anticipate will keep the podium battles tight and exciting right until the final day.<\/p>\n Once again, Stage 2 will have an out-of-category mountain-top finish, which is unique in mountain bike racing. The 86km leg is relatively short, but climbs a total of 2 781 metres, the final 1 100 metres coming in the last 11km up the iconic Swartberg Pass. The stakes on this stage are higher than any other in mountain bike stage racing, with the men and women\u2019s winning teams each collecting R250 000 (about US$25 000), courtesy of the event\u2019s title sponsor Bridge.<\/p>\n It hasn\u2019t yet been confirmed whether the winning women\u2019s combination from 2013 will be back to defend their title. Switzerland\u2019s Ariane Kleinhans and Denmark\u2019s current marathon world champion, Anika Langvad, dominated the women\u2019s race for Team RECM last year, but will only confirm next week if they\u2019ll resume their formidable partnership for the 2014 edition.<\/p>\n The 2013 men\u2019s race winners will definitely be on the start line. Only this year, they\u2019ll be separated. Racing as Team RECM, South Africans Erik Kleinhans and Waylon Woolcock won the overall title last year, but will be paired up with different teammates for this year\u2019s event. Woolcock will be partnered by Darren Lill for the Cannondale Blend team, while Kleinhans will pair up with Team RECM stablemate, Nico Bell, the 2012 Cape Pioneer Trek champion.<\/p>\n Other top names on the entry list include SCOTT Factory Racing\u2019s Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes, winners of two stages in 2013, South African marathon champion, James Reid and his ASRIN Cycling teammate, Konny Looser (BEL) and rising stars Louwrens Luus and Adriaan Louw (Fairview Elite). Leading the international charge for the men\u2019s title are Simon Stiebjahn (GER) and Tim Bohme (FRA) of Team Bulls.<\/p>\n Whether Kleinhans and Langvad race again or not, there\u2019s a strong women\u2019s field assembled. Swiss marathon champion, Esther Suss, will team up with South Africa\u2019s Theresa Ralph on Team Meerendal, while Catherine Williamson (GBR) and Alice Pirard (BEL) will be partnered on the Asrin Cycling team. Multiple Swedish marathon champion, Jennie Stenerhag and South African marathon champion, Robyn de Groot, will join forces under the team name Cape Brewing Company Biogen Toyota.<\/p>\n With the event being a UCI-graded race for the first time in 2014, the international rankings points and increased prize money have attracted an elite field with more depth. More top riders are expected to confirm their participation in the next week.<\/p>\n While the spotlight is often focussed on the leading riders, the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek is well known for its relaxed atmosphere and characteristic small-town hospitality, which the organisers have committed to maintaining despite the event\u2019s elevated international status.<\/p>\n Other value-add elements of the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek are the Aramex\u2013Giant bike transport service, which is a free service to ensure South African-based entrants can get their bikes to and from the race venue with minimal frustration. There\u2019s also a Giant mountain bike worth R26 000 to be won. All paid-up Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek entrants on 15 September, 2014, will go into the draw for this bike.<\/p>\n