STAGE 1

The best Plan B you will ever see. Stage 1 of the 2023 FNB Wines2Whales is a Lourensford adventure, packed with singletracks. Never before has the race had the opportunity to explore the vast estate, visiting the far northern reaches high on the slopes of the mountain separating the farm from the famed Jonkershoek Valley beyond. The stage starts with a familiar climb, cranking uphill along the old forestry roads to Saaltjie. After 20 kilometres of steady climbing a quick descent provides the first taste of the fun to come before the climbing recommences to the highest point of the stage near the 24 kilometre mark. Then the trails begin in earnest. Dropping into Endless 1 and Wolf teams descend to Lourens Crossing before climbing once more past Sneeukop to Uitkyk. A long singletrack leads thrillingly downhill to Water Point 2, at 39 kilometres, where the route turns west and heads into more familiar territory – but only for the real experienced FNB W2W campaigners. Looping above and around Blue Gum Dam the course takes in the Trout, Blue Gum, Old Graveyard and Magic Forest trails as well as the Toyota Cruise section, Eagle’s View. A final water point, inside 10 kilometres to go, provides the opportunity to refuel for the last kicker and the downhill blast along Witboom and Canarie to the start/finish line.

After Stage 1 teams will be shuttled to Oak Valley, with bikes being taken to the race village separately. Riders are reminded to drop their bags off at the DHL trucks, before the stage starts, so that they available in Oak Valley upon the riders’ arrival. Lunch will also be served in the Oak Valley race village, as originally planned.