CAPE TOWN to host UCI Marathon Champs '28

[DieselnDust]

3 hours ago, Shebeen said:

so things are tjoepstil since this announcement 18 months ago. A service provider was going to be appointed and announced 12 months ago.

either:

a)CSA have appointed someone to manage this event, but just haven't announced it (in a place I can find it)

b)they haven't worked it out yet. 

 

3 years is a long way away, until it isn't.

It is being planned. There are other cycling initiatives being planned around this WC event. Patience Paduwan don’t let your feelings betray you

[Stephan]

I know this is still a long way out, but I just want to put this idea out there. Having ridden pretty much all the trails and jeep tracks on and around the front side of Table Mountain, I’m convinced the organisers could design an incredible race route that fully showcases the mountain — with excellent spectator value and the most amazing camera shots for TV (mountain and sea views galore).

Imagine a UCI Marathon World Champs route that:

• Starts at the Waterfront, climbs up Signal Hill, loops around Lion’s Head, and connects onto the Pipetrack.

• Links with Missing Link all the way to the end of the mountain.

• Uses a short tar section around Suikerbossie before heading straight back onto the mountain — and then keeps riders off the road entirely.

• Taps into the Orangekloof forestry track, passes Constantia Nek, then flows through the top of Kirstenbosch, Newlands Forest, and Rhodes Memorial.

• Pushes into a solid climb up to Blockhouse, then across Sky Trail to Tafelberg Road, before descending via the lower slopes (e.g. Deer Park) where one can build a few cool ramps and berms and design spectator points.

From there, riders could repeat the lap around the mountain, and finish with a fast Signal Hill descent through Bo-Kaap, ending at the Waterfront.  

Or something like this. I realise there are many other options as well around the extended Table Mountain. One could even link up with Tokai and Silvermine with a lekker Mast Climb for good measure. Lots of potential.  I’d be more than willing to help with route planning and landowner access if the organisers want to reach out.

I’ve heard a rumour that the organisers are considering laps of the Cape Epic prologue route at Meerendal. Honestly, that would be the biggest disappointment ever and such a cop-out. 

Edited September 22, 2025 by Stephan
.

[Bub Marley]

4 minutes ago, Stephan said:

I know this is still a long way out, but I just want to put this idea out there. Having ridden pretty much all the trails and jeep tracks on and around the front side of Table Mountain, I’m convinced the organisers could design an incredible race route that fully showcases the mountain — with excellent spectator value.

Imagine a UCI Marathon World Champs route that:

• Starts at the Waterfront, climbs up Signal Hill, loops around Lion’s Head, and connects onto the Pipetrack.

• Links with Missing Link all the way to the end of the mountain.

• Uses a short tar section around Suikerbossie before heading straight back onto the mountain — and then keeps riders off the road entirely.

• Taps into the Orangekloof forestry track, passes Constantia Nek, then flows through the top of Kirstenbosch, Newlands Forest, and Rhodes Memorial.

• Pushes into a solid climb up to Blockhouse, then across Sky Trail to Tafelberg Road, before descending via the lower slopes (e.g. Deer Park) where one can build a few cool ramps and berms and design spectator points.

From there, riders could repeat the lap around the mountain, and finish with a fast Signal Hill descent through Bo-Kaap, ending at the Waterfront.  

Or something like this. I realise there are many other options as well around the extended Table Mountain. One could even link up with Tokai and Silvermine with a lekker Mast Climb for good measure. Lots of potential.  I’d be more than willing to help with route planning and landowner access if the organisers want to reach out.

I’ve heard a rumour that the organisers are considering laps of the Cape Epic prologue route at Meerendal. Honestly, that would be the biggest disappointment ever and such a cop-out. 

The thing you haven’t considered is a start and finish venue. You cannot start a mtb event at the Waterfront. Where are you going to pack all the spectators? If the route were to go over Table Mountain, the only feasible start and finish point would be UCT.

 

If that is not possible, then the event would have to move further north. In the Tygerberg region, Meerendal is the only venue that can accommodate an event of this size. None of the other farms in the area have the capacity, hence why the Epic base is always at Meerendal. You can design the route to traverse through the other farms, but the base would have to be at Meerendal. Other option would be to move even further towards Stellies, Wellington, Paarl area.

[Stephan]

1 hour ago, Bub Marley said:

The thing you haven’t considered is a start and finish venue. You cannot start a mtb event at the Waterfront. Where are you going to pack all the spectators? If the route were to go over Table Mountain, the only feasible start and finish point would be UCT.

 

If that is not possible, then the event would have to move further north. In the Tygerberg region, Meerendal is the only venue that can accommodate an event of this size. None of the other farms in the area have the capacity, hence why the Epic base is always at Meerendal. You can design the route to traverse through the other farms, but the base would have to be at Meerendal. Other option would be to move even further towards Stellies, Wellington, Paarl area.

There are plenty other options within 1km of the Waterfront where CoCT, law enforcement and organisers have lots and lots of experience with both international level events and mass participation events. Cape Town Marathon, Formula E Prix, Cape Town Cycle Tour, IRB Sevens, test rugby at DHL Stadium, etc. 

The CSA press release (go back to Page 1) says "Cycling South Africa was awarded the rights to host the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships 2028, to be hosted in Cape Town, Western Cape, with Table Mountain as the venue and route.". 

[Shebeen]

On 4/15/2025 at 12:08 PM, DieselnDust said:

It is being planned. There are other cycling initiatives being planned around this WC event. Patience Paduwan don’t let your feelings betray you

Patience is the name of a Brit drama series!

Little birdie told me that Sanparks were blissfully unaware when this was announced. Can't confirm or deny but this is very suspicious.

 

edit: press release says details in 6 months. It has now been 25 months! 

edit edit: i see this was posted in April, things are seemingly happening - the long term stuff for TMNP must be behind the scenes - https://www.cyclingsa.com/request-for-credentials-rfc

Edited September 22, 2025 by Shebeen

[Shebeen]

just going to download this and repost it here incase it disappears

Request for credentials 24 April 2025.pdf

so there's no event company yet.

Quote

Cycling South Africa (Cycling SA) seeks an experienced individual to serve as Project Lead for the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships 2028. This is not a job application, it is a performance-driven appointment process designed to identify a high-caliber professional who can execute and enhance the pre-existing event plan at an elite level and work closely with Cycling SA to appoint event suppliers.

 

 

project lead would have been appointed 2 months ago

Quote

 

8. Timeline • RFC Issued: 24 April 2025 • Submission Deadline: From 19 May 2025 • Shortlist Notification: From 03 June 2025 • Interviews / Presentations by Shortlisted Candidates: From 17 June 2025 • Final Selection & Appointment: From 14 July 2025

 

 

 

3years is still plenty of time, BUT no mention of specifically of TMNP or Sanparks in that document. 

[milky4130]

Can't remember how or why but I have this saved under my routes in Strava since August of 2023?🤷‍♂️

[Stephan]

On 8/4/2023 at 1:25 PM, DieSwartGevaar said:

Already plotted a route for them:

https://www.strava.com/routes/3122279095874678204

 

Can have a Waterpoint in Hout Bay, Tokai and Dead Man's Tree

@milky4130 here is your answer 🙂

[J Wakefield]

Greenbelt will also work well and they can finish at Chardonnay deli for smoothie at the finish. 

[Bub Marley]

1 hour ago, Stephan said:

@milky4130 here is your answer 🙂

Stealing this. Thanks 😜

[milky4130]

might need a couple of laps up Tokai Mast to match the elevation of this years course.

[babse]

3 hours ago, milky4130 said:

Can't remember how or why but I have this saved under my routes in Strava since August of 2023?🤷‍♂️

Keen for recce? 

[milky4130]

3 minutes ago, babse said:

Keen for recce? 

Lets talk again in 2028?

[PhilipV]

22 hours ago, Bub Marley said:

The thing you haven’t considered is a start and finish venue. You cannot start a mtb event at the Waterfront. Where are you going to pack all the spectators? If the route were to go over Table Mountain, the only feasible start and finish point would be UCT.

 

If that is not possible, then the event would have to move further north. In the Tygerberg region, Meerendal is the only venue that can accommodate an event of this size. None of the other farms in the area have the capacity, hence why the Epic base is always at Meerendal. You can design the route to traverse through the other farms, but the base would have to be at Meerendal. Other option would be to move even further towards Stellies, Wellington, Paarl area.

Waterfront used to host a WC Tri event that started near Q4 and ended in Green point stadium. It was a spectators dream. 
And CT Marathon and Argus CT is held very succesfully at Green Point. 
Like UTCT, you can probably host it from Gardens Rugby club as well. Most of the spectators will be in the mountain  somewhere anyway. 

flip, with this and 2027 World Trail Running Champs coming to Cape Town the City has ample chance to show off. 

Edited September 23, 2025 by PhilipV

[milky4130]

2 hours ago, PhilipV said:

Waterfront used to host a WC Tri event that started near Q4 and ended in Green point stadium. It was a spectators dream. 
And CT Marathon and Argus CT is held very succesfully at Green Point. 
Like UTCT, you can probably it from Gardens Rugby club as well. Most of the spectators will be ok the mountain  somewhere anyway. 

flip, with this and 2027 World Trail Running Champs coming to Cape Town the City has ample chance to show off. 

and if CTM become a World Major then even more International Runners with their families will come each year. 

[Bub Marley]

12 hours ago, PhilipV said:

Waterfront used to host a WC Tri event that started near Q4 and ended in Green point stadium. It was a spectators dream. 
And CT Marathon and Argus CT is held very succesfully at Green Point. 
Like UTCT, you can probably host it from Gardens Rugby club as well. Most of the spectators will be in the mountain  somewhere anyway. 

flip, with this and 2027 World Trail Running Champs coming to Cape Town the City has ample chance to show off. 

Don’t think you can compare the Argus and CT marathon to this though. Both of those events are closed off to cars etc. Is this a big enough event to close it off? And also do we want it to end at Greenpoint? I think a start and finish venue right on the mountain is more feasible. Certainly from a spectators view.

 

I know people dont seem to like loops, but from a spectating point of view this is so much better as you get to see the riders multiple times. I think for a world championships, having some sort of circuit to finish it off is imperative. You can have your initial route going out a bit to get mileage but I do think the end of the race needs to be a circuit and to have a circuit, it needs to be right on the mountain. UCT is the best option for me if Table Mountain is the place.