Sun 14 June 2026
ENTRIES will open on 15 November 2025
The Crater Cruise Gravel is a premium cycle race in the UNESCO Vredefort Crater meandering the Vaal River along rural and off-the-grid gravel roads. Koedoeslaagte Trail Park is a premium event venue and with the support of the local community, the local farmers and the Big Rock Riders, we stand ready to welcome you and are comitted to make your championship race a memorable experience.
History: In 2004 the Crater Cruise was established as "the original" gravel road race in South Africa and it soon became the battleground for "roadies vs mounties". The organisers were indeed ahead of their time and systematically converted the event into a hybrid mountainbike event. In June 2025 we relaunched the Crater Cruise as the gravel road race it was always intended to be.
The Crater Cruise is honoured to incorporate the SA XCGravel Championships in 2026
​Important 2026 regulations:
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The Crater Cruise/SA Gravel Champs is an OPEN event and riders from other nationalities are welcome. There will be an overall podium and a seperate SA Championship podium
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SA citizens - an active CyclingSA Membership is compulsory for all championship categories = CSA ID#. Social riders will be required to have an active membership OR purchase a day-license on entry
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A full UCI Racing License is required for all riders racing Elite
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Flat-handlebar mountainbikes are welcome, BUT all Elite men and women must compete with drop-handlebar set-ups
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No time-trial bars allowed
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No team support vehicles on-route
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Tech/support stations at the 2nd and 3rd waterpoint on 155km route. These tech/support stations can be reached via tar road without entering the route
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Tech/support station at the 2nd waterpoint for the 115km route. This tech/support station can be reached via tar road without entering the route
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E-Bikes will ONLY be allowed on the 50km CRATER CRUISE
155km CRUISE CRUISE - 1250m elevation
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no riders U/19 or younger
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R900/entry (full-fee)
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To all riders licenced in coastal provinces: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal - we're offering a R150 discount as a token of welcome to the Free State/Northwest.
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Starting from 08:30
115km CRATER CRUISE - 1125m elevation
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no riders U/19 and younger
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R800/entry (full-fee)
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To all riders licenced in coastal provinces: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal - we're offering a R100 discount as a token of welcome to the Free State/Northwest.
50km CRATER CRUISE - 596m elevation
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no riders U/15 and younger
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R450/entry (full-fee)​
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R110 000+ Prize Money, Trophees, Titles and Prizes
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Elite & U/23 Men and Women:
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1st - R20 000 and Trophy
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1st South African rider - SA Champion title & jersey (sponsored by Anatomic Sportswear)
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2nd R8000
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3rd R3000
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4th R2000
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5th R1000
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KOM/QOM 1st R1000
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KOM/QOM 2nd R500
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SUM R71 000
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Junior Men and Women: 1st R5000, 2nd R2000, 3rd R1000, KOM/QOM 1st R500 (SUM R17 000)
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Youth (U/17) - 1st, 2nd and 3rd will receive sponsors' vouchers
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NB: Junior (U/19) and Youth (U/17) are not Championship categories
Sub-Veteran, Veteran, and Master categories may be subdivided into five-year age categories (e.g. 30–34, 35–39) should entry numbers justify such a split. Prize-money have been allocated for the split categories
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Vets 30-39, Vets 40-49 Men and Women: 1st R1000, 2nd R500, 3rd sponsor's prize (SUM R8 000)
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Masters 50-59 Men and Women: 1st R1000, 2nd R500, 3rd sponsor's prize (SUM R6 000)
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Grand Master 60+ Men and Women, 1st R500, 2nd sponsor's prize (SUM R1 000)
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1st South African rider in category - SA Champion title & jersey (sponsored by Anatomic Sportswear)
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All 1st places will receive a complimentary entry for CRATER CRUISE Gravel 2027!
Accommodation: Accommodation Partners
Organiser: Koedoeslaagte Trail Park Team
Contact: Attie Koekemoer - attie.koekies@gmail.com
Website: www.cratercruise.com