This is the queen stage - arguably the hardest of this year’s race, with the most amount of climbing.

It would be wise to conserve some energy on the first 50km where Serengeti awaits as the warm up to its big brother Rusty Gate, the highest point in this year’s race. It’s a relentless 5km climb at an average 10% gradient! What goes up must come down, with a short spike on a firebreak being more challenging on the mind than the legs. A short tar section along the Theewaterskloof Dam wall offers some reprieve, before it gets tough again with some steep climbs as riders generally make their way skywards to water point 3. Thereafter, it’s a rugged false flat grind, on a loose eroded surface, flanking the majestic Groenlanberg. It will be slow going, through truly spectacular scenery. From the nek the last 14km are mostly downhill all the way to the race village at Oak Valley Wine Estate, a rewarding finish to a truly epic day.