Tread - Mountain Biking with Soul

15/01/2026

THROWBACK!
In the launch edition of TREAD Magazine, which was on sale from April 2009, we featured Andrew (Needles) Neethling and his new bike, a TREK Session 88. Neethling had just moved from the Mongoose Boot’R Team to TREK World Racing. He was 14th on the UCI DH World Rankings at the time.
Neethling began his international Downhill career with World Champs participation in 2000 at Sierra Nevada, USA and started World Cup racing in 2002. He enjoyed a successful international racing career until his retirement after the 2016 season.
Neethling now hosts the internationally renowned podcast, Moving the Needle and is an ambassador for SCOTT.

12/01/2026

DOUBLE WORLD CHAMP HATHERLY RETURNS TO DEFEND ATTAKWAS EXTREME TITLE
On Saturday, the 17th of January, the South African and global mountain biking season gets underway at the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen. Dubbed the Hell of the South, it challenges riders to an infamously tough, 120-kilometre course from Chandelier Game Lodge, near Oudtshoorn, to the Pine Creek Resort, in Great Brak. Boasting UCI Class 1 status, it attracts some of the world’s best mountain bikers, and for the 20th anniversary edition, those include the defending champion and double cross-country World Champion, Alan Hatherly.
Full race preview here: https://www.treadmtb.co.za/double-world-champ-hatherly-returns-to-defend-attakwas-extreme-title/
Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen

09/01/2026

MTB EVENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA: HOW WE GOT HERE – AND WHERE WE’RE GOING
Having monitored, competed in and covered mountain bike events since our launch in 2009, TREAD Media is well positioned to offer a considered view on the state of mountain bike events in South Africa as we enter 2026.

Having monitored, competed in and covered mountain bike events since our launch in 2009, TREAD...

07/01/2026

If you haven’t yet, spend a few minutes taking the 2025 South African Mountain Biking Survey, presented by Garmin and stand to win the new Garmin Edge 850 worth R12499!
Here is the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MTBSurvey2025

04/01/2026

2025 SA MTB SURVEY - LAST CHANCE!
Spend a few minutes taking the 2025 South African Mountain Biking Survey, presented by Garmin and stand to win a new Garmin Edge cycling GPS worth R12499!
Here is the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MTBSurvey2025

03/01/2026

Burry Stander was the first South African to win the Absa Cape Epic’s overall men’s title.

After three years of trying Burry and Swiss teammate, Christoph Sauser, won the 2011 edition. They then successfully defended their title in 2012.

Thirteen years ago today (3 January 2013), Burry was killed by a law-breaking minibus taxi driver, cutting short what would no doubt have been an impressive career, not just at the Cape Epic, but in international XCO Racing too.

Here are Burry’s Cape Epic stats:
2012: 1st
2011: 1st
2010: 2nd
2009: 6th
2008: DNF (injured)
All five of his Cape Epics were done in partnership with Sauser.

Burry won a total of 21 stages, which is still second only to Sauser, who went on to win 38 (and five overall titles).

Matt Beers is the second South African to win the Absa Cape Epic. He has won three editions: 2021, 2023 and 2024.

This iconic photo, shot by , shows Burry riding away from his rivals (and Sauser), who are all pushing up a steep, sketchy climb during a stage of the Cape Epic. A picture that shows his unique combination of skill, determination and unflinching commitment.

01/01/2026

GARDEN ROUTE GIRO 2026: ROUTE RECCE DELIVERS RAVE REVIEWS
South Africa’s gravel calendar is about to gain a serious new heavyweight. Following an in-depth route recce of the opening half of the course, the inaugural Garden Route Giro has earned glowing reviews from a select group of media, professional and dedicated amateur riders. Slated for 13–18 April 2026, the Western Cape-based gravel stage race promises to bring a fresh, road-racing-inspired dynamic to off-road endurance racing – complete with General Classification, Sprint Jersey and Mountain Jersey competitions.
[Partner content]
Full story here: https://www.treadmtb.co.za/garden-route-giro-2026-route-recce-delivers-rave-reviews/
Garden Route Giro

31/12/2025

SRAM SECURES LONG-TERM GROWTH IN SOUTH AFRICA VIA RUSH SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
Rush Sports didn’t announce its appointment as an Authorised SRAM Distributor for Southern Africa with fireworks or fanfare. That was never the point. For them, credibility comes from ex*****on, not noise. The brief was clear: build the foundations properly, deliver on every promise, and let the results speak. Only then tell the story. Three months in, the story is worth telling.
[Partner content]
https://www.treadmtb.co.za/sram-secures-long-term-growth-in-south-africa-via-rush-sports-partnership/
Rush Sports

Rush Sports didn’t announce its appointment as an Authorised SRAM Distributor for Southern Africa with...

30/12/2025

10 GOOD REASONS TO ENTER THE 2026 INVESTEC GREAT KEI TREK
Ready to tick off one of the most epic adventures in South African mountain biking? The Investec Great Kei Trek (GKT) is back for 2026 – and it’s bigger, bolder and dialled for riders who crave adventure with a capital A. Set against the raw, untamed beauty of the Eastern Cape Wild Coast, this is not just a ride. It’s a three-day journey that stays with you long after the last tyre tracks fade from the trail. Here are 10 compelling reasons why the Investec Great Kei Trek deserves a bold circle on your 2026 calendar.
[Partner content]
Full event details here: https://www.treadmtb.co.za/10-good-reasons-to-enter-the-2026-investec-great-kei-trek/
The Leverage Corporation

26/12/2025

2026 TIB BERG 100 - AN UNLIMITED MIDLANDS EXPERIENCE
There are bike races and then there’s the TIB Berg 100. Few events strike the balance between challenge, scenery, community and pure country charm like this Midlands classic. On Saturday, 21 March 2026, the Berg 100 returns for its 13th edition, inviting riders from across South Africa to line up in the shadow of the Drakensberg for a day that always feels memorable.
[Partner content]
Full story here: https://www.treadmtb.co.za/2026-tib-berg-100-an-unlimited-midlands-experience/
The Berg 100

22/12/2025

LUXLINER ROUTE 66 - A FRESH GRAVEL STAGE RACE FOR GAUTENG
Back for its 16th edition – and reborn as a gravel-focused event – the Luxliner Route 66 returns on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March, 2026, delivering a world-class, two-day gravel racing experience unlike anything Gauteng has seen.
Full story here: https://www.treadmtb.co.za/luxliner-route-66-a-fresh-gravel-stage-race-for-gauteng/
The Leverage Corporation