Rider's Brief | #1 Banhoek 25 January 2025

Welcome to the Ford Trailseeker Series.

Where MTB riding is an addiction and seeking new trails is a passion. Here you will find all you need to know about your upcoming race!

event info

PARKING OPEN FROM:
05h00

REGISTRATION START:
05h30

Please note: 

To be eligible for overall prize money, you must have an Elite license. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to purchase it. Elite riders are not eligible to win age-category prizes.

The Elite women and age-category women will be seeded in the same batch with the Elite licensed women starting 1 minute earlier. Elite men and women will race in separate batches, while age-category contenders will start in Batches A and B.

Important: If you choose to race as an Elite, you will not be allowed to move back to age categories for the 2025 season.

A dedicated Wahoo warm-up zone and holding area will be next to the start batches.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

There are major road works on the R45. Please give yourself enough time to travel to the venue in time for your race.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a refreshing drink after your race to let the traffic settle before you leave.

Emergency info

In case of a Medical Emergency

Scan the QR to Save/Call our Whatsapp Line OR click the button below to send us a message.

Please include the following information:

  1. Participant’s Race Number
  2. Type of Emergency
  3. Pin Location

Batch info

Due to the heat we are shortening the Marathon Route slightly to 60km.

  • Pursuit data will be used to batch riders
  • To be an Overall Podium Contender for the 40km,20km & 10km you must start in the A batch of your respective distance.
  • If you compete as an age category rider you can start in any batch. This means you can win your age category even if you begin in batch C.
  • There is no specific School XCM Series batch. School XCM Series riders will be seeded on merit alongside the regular Trailseeker riders.
  • To better accommodate the School XCM Series riders, the top 25 male and top 10 female School Series riders in both the Half Marathon Short and Half Marathon will be seeded in the respective A-Batches (A-Men and A-Ladies).

Have you downloaded the Pursuit Web app yet? The Pursuit app was designed to track and measure your performance in outdoor mass-participation sports events in South Africa. The peer-to-peer performance index – The Pursuit Index – shows you how you rank against other athletes in your sporting discipline.

route info

Due to the heat we are shortening the Marathon Route slightly to 60km.

Nutrition & waterpoints

PVM is the Official Nutritional Partner providing PVM products at all the water points to ensure each participant performs at their best. #UnleashPerformance

What can you expect at our water points? A great vibe, yummy food, water, coke and much more.

finish vibe & Activations

  • All schools and clubs must set up their gazebos at the designated Clubs and Teams area, either on Friday between 09:00 and 16:00 or Saturday between 05:30 and 08:00
  • Vida e cafe will be there for a fresh cup of coffee first thing in the morning to get you going.
  • When you cross the finish line, you can look forward to toast your ride with an icy Pepsi!
  • Prize Giving at 10:30
  • Showers are available at the venue after your ride

medals & apparel

The top 3 riders in each racing category will receive gold, silver and bronze medals and all other riders will receive a beautifully designed finishers medal.

Have a look at our trendy new Trailseeker merch range.

Order yours now OR visit our merch stall on venue. Online purchases can be collected at the merch stall on race day.

Race Results

Once you cross the finish line you will receive an SMS message with your race results. Finishtime is the official timing partner. Please send any results queries you may have directly to Finishtime at support@finishtime.co.za.

Series LEADERBOARD

It’s time to get competitive! The Ford Trailseeker Series Leaderboard is back, letting you track your progress, compete with fellow riders, and chase that coveted leader’s jersey. Points are awarded for your finish position and overall time, and in 2025, your best four results out of six events will decide your final standing.

This year, we’ve got something special for younger riders too—a Sub Jnr (20km) leaderboard! Whether you’re gunning for the top spot or just looking to beat your mates, the competition is going to be fierce.

Are you ready to climb the ranks?

Schools xcm series

#1 Banhoek is once again an opportunity for Western Cape-based learners to represent their schools in the SCSA XCM Schools Series. WC schools can tally up points for every learner riding in their school’s colours! This platform offers the perfect learning environment for our future cycling heroes.

We feel that this is an amazing platform to invest in our kids’ cycling abilities and boost the sport of cycling at school level. This is where our kids learn to race their bikes and handle themselves in sometimes unpredictable situations. We are proud to invest in the future of SA cycling. 

Parents are, of course, welcome to join in but will not be allowed to interfere with the racing in any way.

GET R20000 BACK WHEN YOU PURCHASE ANY FORD.

Did you know Ford Trailseeker participants can get R20 000 off the purchase price when they buy ANY Ford vehicle before the end of the year? Just follow these easy steps:

Enter any Ford Trailseeker event or distance | Complete the race | Pick your dream Ford vehicle | Provide the Ford dealer with your race result | Get R20 000 off your purchase price

It is that easy. Thanks, Ford!

Have a great ride out there!

The Ford Trailseeker Team