This weekend, the UCI Gran Fondo World Series reaches a historic milestone as the Cape Town Cycle Tour makes its long‑awaited debut on the series calendar. For the first time ever, the iconic South African event becomes part of the series — and in doing so, delivers the first African UCI Gran Fondo World Series event since the Covid pandemic.
The scale of the occasion is unprecedented. No fewer than 29.000 registered riders, representing 74 different countries, will line up in Cape Town, making this the largest event ever staged in the history of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series.
A World‑Famous Course on the Global Stage
The Cape Town Cycle Tour earns its reputation as one of cycling’s bucket‑list events thanks to its spectacular 109 km road course around the Cape Peninsula.
The race starts in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre, with riders quickly heading past the Castle before tackling the Edinburgh Drive (Wynberg Hill) — a short but steep climb that serves as an early reminder of what lies ahead. In the middle section towards the turning point halfway, the winds is often a huge challenge.
On the way back, riders face the iconic Chapman’s Peak Drive, a two‑part climb carved into the cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. While gradients are mostly manageable, the exposure, wind and accumulated fatigue make it a defining moment of the race. The final obstacle: Suikerbossie — a brutally honest climb often determines the outcome across all categories. From the summit at 14km before the finish, it’s a run back along the Atlantic Seaboard before finishing in Green Point, with the ocean on one side and cheering crowds on the other.
The addition of Cape Town underlines the World Series’ commitment to global growth, with Africa once again firmly on the international gran fondo map.
Watch the Action Live
Fans around the world will be able to follow the historic day live. The Cape Town Cycle Tour will be streamed live on the official Cape Town Cycle Tour YouTube channel, allowing viewers to experience the elite racing, the scenery and the atmosphere in real time.
👉 Live broadcast:
Watch live on YouTube – Cape Town Cycle Tour 2026
