The 2026 Ford Trailseeker MTB Series ran across six events, from Banhoek on 31 January to Bosman Family Vineyards in Wellington on 12 September. Thousands of riders took part over the season. Eighteen of them were on the start line, and the finish line, at every single one. We call
The 2026 Ford Trailseeker Series delivered a season of relentless high-stakes marathon racing across South Africa, from the vineyards of Banhoek Valley to the bushveld of Sondela and the final showdown on the singletracks of Wellington. With R100 000 on the line for both the men’s and women’s overall champions,
Marc Pritzen won the final round of the 2026 Ford Trailseeker Series to secure the overall title in fine style on Saturday, 12 September. Sarah Maré had a nervier ride to the elite women’s crown, but did more than enough by finishing second behind teammate Samantha Sanders in Wellington. Pritzen’s
Marc Pritzen and Sarah Maré are poised to ride away each R100 000 richer on Saturday, 12 September. The sixth and final round of the 2026 Ford Trailseeker Series is hosted by Bosman Family Vineyards and will boast a singletrack-packed route on the famous Wellington trails. The elite men’s and women’s
Heading into the penultimate round of the Ford Trailseeker Series, in Die Bosveld, Marc Pritzen led Jaedon Terlouw by 20 points on the series leaderboard, while Sarah Maré held a 36-point advantage over Samantha Sanders. Pritzen’s perfect performance and superbly executed ride to victory on Saturday, 1 August 2026, moves
Die Bosveld, located just 20 kilometres north of central Pretoria, hosts round five of the 2026 Ford Trailseeker Series on Saturday, 1 August. The final Highveld leg of the series and the penultimate round for this season sees a field stacked with contenders for the overall title and the general
Sarah Maré’s Ford Trailseeker Series consistency paid off in the Sondela Nature Reserve on Saturday, 27 June, as she seized race victory and the overall general classification lead. The fast course might not have played to the Efficient Infiniti Insure rider’s strengths, but she had produced a classy ride nonetheless
After three rounds of the 2026 Ford Trailseeker Series, Samantha Sanders and Marc Pritzen lead the race for the R100 000 grand prize. The Efficient Infiniti Insure team’s dominance at the top of the elite women’s leaderboard means that Sanders’ fiercest competition for the Sondela event, on Saturday, 27 June, and
The third round of the 2026 Ford Trailseeker Series saw a first-time winner and a new leader in the overall standings, as Ignatius du Preez and Samatha Sanders claimed the Van Gaalen victories on Saturday, 6 June. Du Preez required fortune to smile upon him twice, including a finish line
With R100 000 on the line for the overall champions at the end of the 2026 Ford Trailseeker Series, the battle for primacy over the course of the season is the golden thread linking the six events. Just a month after the Cradle contest, and three weeks out from the Sondela
A classic highveld winter’s day started cool, then warmed throughout the morning, providing perfect riding conditions for 2 000 avid mountain bikers who took on round 2 of the Ford Trailseeker Series on Saturday, 2 May 2026. South African Marathon Champion, Marc Pritzen, dominated the Cradle Moon trails, winning the elite
As the cold of winter starts to bite, the Ford Trailseeker returns, bringing red-hot mountain bike racing to Gauteng’s outdoor playground, the Cradle of Humankind. On Saturday, the 2nd of May, Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge will host round two of the series, and along with 2 000 avid amateur mountain
Matt Beers and Candice Lill claimed victories at the first round of the 2026 Ford Trailseeker Series in the Banhoek Valley on Saturday, 31 January. Stacked men’s and women’s elite fields saw the top South African mountain bikers bolstered by international talent, which ensured fiercely competitive racing. Beers held off
On Saturday, 31 January, the Ford Trailseeker Series kicks off its 2026 season in the Banhoek Valley, near Stellenbosch. From the race village at Plaisir Wine Estate, the event will host four race distances and a dedicated E-Bike race to cater to the whole family. For cycling fans not taking
The Ford Trailseeker Series operates using two separate points systems. One applies exclusively to elite men and women in the marathon distance, and the other applies to all remaining riders, across all distances. Both systems run alongside each other throughout the season, but they serve different purposes and reward different
First introduced in 2025, the R1 million performance bonus for any elite athlete, male or female, who can achieve the remarkable feat of winning all six marathon-distance races in a single season, is back and forms part of the total R1.2 million prize purse for 2026. The performance bonus sits
The 2025 Ford Trailseeker Series had it all: soaring victories, crushing setbacks, a record-breaking field, and unforgettable moments that will go down in South African mountain biking history. From the January opener in Banhoek to the spectacular finale in Wellington, riders were tested across six events in four provinces. The
A crisp winter morning gave way to red-hot racing at the fifth event of the 2025 Ford Trailseeker Series, held on the iconic trails of Van Gaalen. With over 2,100 riders lining up, the day delivered tactical brilliance, thrilling finishes, and a fierce display of mountain biking from some of
The fourth event of the 2025 Ford Trailseeker Series took place on Saturday, 28 June, at Sondela Nature Reserve in Limpopo. Known for its flat and fast terrain, the venue set the stage for a day of tactical racing and close finishes across all categories, with over 2,400 participants taking
Pretoria, South Africa, 7 June – The third event of the 2025 Ford Trailseeker MTB Series unfolded on the outskirts of Pretoria this past weekend, where a record-breaking 2,500 riders descended on Die Bosveld for a day of racing and spirited community energy. The series’ return to this bushveld favourite
Mountain biking has become a staple in South African schools, with thousands of young riders embracing the sport. But did you know there are various mountain biking disciplines, each with its unique characteristics? Let’s break it down: Mountain Biking Disciplines Governing Bodies in South African Cycling If your child is
For the Van Dyk family, mountain biking has become so much more than a sport. What started with Ben Junior’s school cycling quickly turned into a family affair. As soon as he caught the racing bug, it wasn’t long before his mom, Merike, and dad, Ben Senior, joined in on
There’s something special about hitting the trails with family; the shared excitement at the start line, the encouragement during tough climbs, and the laughter as you cross the finish together. Mountain biking, whilst being a great sport and way to stay active, is also a way to go on adventures,
Cradle Moon, Gauteng – This past Saturday, 1 March, the Ford Trailseeker #2 Cradle mountain bike race took place, attracting 2300 participants who were treated to an exciting ride through the rugged terrain of the Cradle Moon Conservancy. In the Elite Men’s race, teammates Marco Joubert and Tristan Nortje of
Stellenbosch, South Africa The Ford Trailseeker Series got off to a thrilling start on Saturday, 25 January 2025, with its first event of the series at Plaisir Wine Estate. The stellar elite lineup was the largest the series has seen to date, with top international riders together with the cream
The Ford Trailseeker Series kicks off in spectacular fashion this season with its first event of the Series at Banhoek on 25 January 2025. Set in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in South Africa, this opening race promises an exhilarating start to the world’s biggest single-day mountain bike series.
Cape Town, South Africa The Ford Trailseeker Mountain Bike Series, the world’s biggest single-day mountain bike series, has announced a thrilling incentive for 2025. With a focus on rewarding endurance, strategy, and dedication, the series offers an impressive R100,000 prize to the Elite male and female winners of the series marathon distance,
As the year draws to a close, we reflect on an exciting and action-packed season of the Ford Trailseeker Series, with specific emphasis on the Ford Trailseeker Series Leaderboard and the School Series XCM Leaderboard. Ford Trailseeker Series Leaderboard A surefire highlight of the 2024 series was the re-introduction of
The 2024 Ford Trailseeker Mountain Bike Series concluded spectacularly on 7 September 2024 at the scenic Bosman Family Vineyards in Wellington, Western Cape with perfect weather and a glamorous line-up that included SA’s very own, newly crowned UCI XCO World Champion, Alan Hatherly. Riders were treated to a superb day
This past weekend, the fifth Ford Trailseeker mountain bike race of the 2024 season unfolded at the picturesque Van Gaalen Cheese Farm. Riders and spectators were treated to a perfect day of winter biking, ideal for navigating the diverse and scenic trails of this iconic trail park. The event was
The Ford Trailseeker Series continued with its fourth event of the year at the scenic Sondela Private Game Reserve on 6 July 2024. Riders were treated to a beautiful winter bushveld breakaway and an unforgettable adventure on their mountain bikes. The day started crisp and chilly, as participants gathered at
The Ford Trailseeker #3 Die Bosveld brought yet another thrilling venue to the series, and this new venue exceeded all expectations. With 2300 enthusiastic participants, Die Bosveld turned out to be a gem in the series. Despite the chilly morning, the riders’ spirits were high and ready to tackle the
Tucked away in Pretoria lies Die Bosveld, a fresh addition to the Ford Trailseeker MTB Series that promises an exciting blend of outdoor adventure and natural beauty. The land is owned by Atterbury and First Rand, and meticulously maintained by Faces and a non-profit organisation, Terugploeg, in a joint venture
The Ford Trailseeker #2 Cradle Race delivered a thrilling spectacle of mountain biking against the backdrop of the stunning Cradle Moon. With its new venue and unprecedented sell-out status since COVID-19, the event promised an extraordinary day of competition and camaraderie. Riders were greeted with an added layer of excitement
Saturday the 27th of January marked the start of the Ford Trailseeker Series. Our first event kicked off at Banhoek, drawing over 1000 participants to the starting line, ready to conquer the trails. The racing atmosphere was charged with unparalleled energy, amplified by the presence of world-class international riders. The
Pretoria, 18 January 2024 The Trailseeker Series is thrilled to announce its pivotal partnership with Ford South Africa as the title sponsor of the esteemed mountain bike series, solidifying its commitment to empowering the cycling community and furthering its support for outdoor enthusiasts across the country. The Trailseeker Series, now