Strongest Ever Men’s Field At Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge

by | Feb 15, 2024 | Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge, Bike, Bike Racing News, Events, Featured

A host of international and local pros will line up for this weekend’s Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge. Here’s who to keep your eyes on.

The highly anticipated Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge will take place on Saturday 17 February and will see an all-star local and international field battle it out on the iconic singletracks around Wellington.

As in previous years, the competition has drawn both local and international elites, along with dedicated amateurs keen to test their legs and lungs ahead of upcoming multi-day stage races such as the Absa Cape Epic. The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge start list, which is the deepest ever, includes the likes of 10-time World Champion Olympic Gold Medalist Nino Schurter, Cannondale Factory Racing’s Alan Hathlerly as well Alex Miller, fresh off wins at both the Attakwas and Tankwa Trek.

Elite Men’s Start List:

Alan Hatherly – Cannondale Factory Racing
Nino Schurter – Scott-SRAM
Andri Frischknecht – Scott-SRAM
Filipo Colombo – Scott-SRAM
Marco Joubert – Imbuko Pro Cycling
Wessel Botha – Imbuko Pro Cycling
Franko van Zyl – Imbuko Pro Cycling
Rudi Koen – Imbuko Pro Cycling
Alban Lakata – Bulls Bikes
Axel Roudil-Cortinat – Bulls Bikes
Simon Schneller – Bulls Bikes
Rossouw Bekker – Valley Electrical Titan Racing

Johan van Zyl – Toyota Specialized
Arno du Toit – Insect Science Cycling
Keagan Bontekoning – Insect Science Cycling
Herman Fourie – Insect Science Cycling
Pieter du Toit – PYGA Euro Steel
Jaedon Terlouw – PYGA Euro Steel
Michael Forster – PYGA Euro Steel
Unathi Nxumalo – Pump For Peace
Tumelo Makae – Pump For Peace
Justin Chesterton – Trek SA
Kai von During – Trek SA
Jan Withaar

This challenging 75km route is renowned for its difficulty and features around 3000 meters of ascent. The race derives its name from the five significant climbs, known as the ‘Big Five,’ situated in the Hawequa mountains surrounding Wellington.

Imbuko Big Five Mtb Challenge
Marco Joubert during the 2023 Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge

Team Imbuko Pro Cycling | The Local Flavour

The Imbuko Big 5 in Partnership with Canetsfontein marks the home race for the local Imbuko Pro Cycling team. The team is made up of Wessel Botha, Marco Joubert, Franko van Zyl and Rudi Koen, and has established itself as one of the most competitive in South Africa over its last few seasons of racing. Seldom is there a big marathon or stage race podium without one of these riders on it and they have proved in the past that they can take the race to the world’s best in the Hawequa mountains. Marco Joubert, known literally and figuratively for his ‘gloves off’ racing style, finished in 3rd last year behind Frischknecht and Colombo and will be without a doubt charging hard in 2024 to succeed the European pros. He and Wessel showed immense strength on the bike at the recent Tankwa Trek 4-day stage race, finishing 2nd behind Matt Beers and Alex Miller.

Strongest Ever Men'S Field At Imbuko Big Five Mtb Challenge
Imbuko Pro Cycling team from left; Rudi Koen, Franko van Zyl, Wessel Botha, Marco Joubert

“The Imbuko Big Five route will form part of the queen stage of the Cape Epic, so I’m sure there’s gonna be a lot of riders wanting to come recce the route and find out what that stage is gonna feel like,” explains Team Imbuko’s Joubert.

The Wellington local believes that with Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge field as stacked as it is, no one is going to hold back. “I think guys are just going to go all in! There will be a lot of fresh legs and I think the team to watch is SCOTT-SRAM.”

While Schurter is an evergreen crowd favourite and the racer all other riders fear, also in the mix will be his 2023 Cape Epic partner and 2023 Imbuke Big Five defending champ, Andri Frischknecht. Frischi JNR knows the route well and will no doubt be eager to replicate his performance from 2023.

Imbuko Big Five Challenge
The defending champ

“Nino is Nino,” says Marco. “He’s the GOAT of mountain bike racing, so it’s just going to be a hard day in the saddle, that’s for sure.” Joubert is relishing the challenge, however, and looking forward to racing on his home trails. “The plan is to go hard and try to hang onto the Euros and see where we fit in. We’ve got big goals for Epic, so it’s a good test for us.”

How The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge Racing Is Likely To Unfold

Joubert believes that decisive moves could come at various points but feels that the singletrack on Canetsfontein Organic Wine & Fruit Estate (a section that was introduced in 2023 could split the field). The start of the third climb takes riders across Bainskloof Pass and up the classic “Aap d’Huez” trail, down a short descent on’ Full Monty 3,’ from where riders will climb to the summit on singletrack before joining onto the Cliffhanger trail. This climb will take riders up to 1000m above sea level before descending via expertly crafted switchbacks through a spectacular, narrow gulley. (Learn more about the route, here).

While all eyes might be on SCOTT-SRAM, don’t discount the likes of cross-country expert Alan Hatherly. The South African favourite will be eager to test his early-season form in an Olympic year. “I think we can all expect to see some fireworks in this weekend’s race since both the local and international riders have got some miles in over Dec & Jan training camps,” says Hatherly. “It’s my first time racing the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge, so I’m really keen to experience all that the race has to offer. It’s still early days in my prep for the XCO race season which kicks off in April, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and all the climbing metres,” he says.

Another rider bound to be among the main protagonists is Namibian Alex Miller. Racing for Toyota Specialized in 2024, Miller has started the year with two big wins, both in long, tough races. Also, keep an eye on the riders such as Team Bulls’ Simon Schneller and Filippo Colombo who finished runner-up to Frischknecht in 2023.

One thing is for sure, the racing is bound to be fierce. Follow all the action from the day by tuning into Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge and WILD AIR Sports’ Instagram channels. Read all about the women’s race, here.

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