STAGE 1

Distance: 61km
Climbing: 1 150m

Finish line Closes: 16:00

Start Location
Benguela Cove

Finish Location
Oak Valley Estate

STAGE 1 START TIMES: CHARDONNAY

START BATCHABCDEFGHIJKL
START TIMES07:0007:1507:2007:2507:3007:3507:4007:4507:5007:5508:0008:05

STAGE 1 START TIMES: PINOTAGE

START BATCHE-Bike Open
Men		E-Bike Open
Women/Mixed		ABCDEFE-Bike Tour
START TIMES07:0007:0507:2007:2507:3007:3507:4007:4508:05

STAGE 1 START TIMES: SHIRAZ

START BATCHABCDEFGHIJK
START TIMES07:0007:1507:2007:2507:3007:3507:4007:4507:5007:5508:00

61 km | 1 150 m climbing

The 2025 FNB Wines2Whales opens from the breathtaking Benguela Cove, a brand-new start line just outside Hermanus. 

Rolling gravel eases the field into the day before the first leg-warmer up Aniel se Pad. A plunge into Gaf se Bos sets up a ride across Karwyders Contour, a familiar playground now flipped for the Switchback edition. The Steel Bridge crossing delivers riders to Genevieve MCC and Waterpoint 1. From there, the flowing trails of Wildekrans and Beaumont carry speed and rhythm into the stage’s defining challenge, Katpas, the old pass that rises from the Botrivier valley to the historic Houwhoek Hotel, home of Waterpoint 2. 

Moos se Pad follows as the Toyota Cruise segment of the day, before the route tips across Lebanon and into the Paul Cluver Amphitheatre. One last chance to refuel, then it is a flowing run into Oak Valley Estate and the well-deserved welcome of the Race Village.

Rider Bag Drop-Off

Benguela Cove Race Village: Please drop your rider bag at the designated Rider Bag drop off point. We will transport it to Oak Valley Race Village.

Rider Bag Collection

Oak Valley Race Village: Collect rider bag at the designated Rider Bag tent.

Directions to Benguela Cove Race Village, Start Stage 1

Directions to Oak Valley Race Village, Finish Stage 1