Drikus takes the lead in Race Across SA

Endurance sport
Andrew Poolman
  • 16 Hours Ago

Namibian endurance specialist Drikus Coetzee immediately took the lead on day one of The Race Across South Africa (RASA) yesterday, with his compatriot Pierre Lambert also following among the front six riders.

The Race Across South Africa (RASA) is a new self-supported bike-packing race that takes on the legendary Freedom Trail over a distance of nearly 2,000 km from KwaZulu-Natal to the Western Cape.

As a former winner and record holder in The Munga (1130 km), Coetzee will count among the favourites – and will possibly still be in competition as his 33rd birthday arrives on Wednesday.

The race numbers are daunting, as 25,000 metres of climbing await the 45 brave souls taking on the challenge, which has a cut-off time of 15 days. One Italian, one Swiss, one American and one Dutch rider complements the entry list of mostly South Africans.

While the route detours around the most daunting portage sections, it remains a truly grueling challenge, demanding resilience, stamina, and self-reliance across South Africa’s wild and varied landscapes.

Riders navigate by GPS as they traverse dirt roads, farm tracks, remote valleys, and mountain passes, covering vast stretches of terrain where support is scarce and the journey is as much a test of spirit as it is of strength.

The sheer scale of the distance ensures that the Race Across South Africa stands as an epic adventure and an endurance race that pushes riders to their limits.

There are three compulsory checkpoints at which food and bed are available. Apart from those three checkpoints riders are required to be fully self-supported and find their own accommodation en route or camp along the way. Riders will be provided with a full re-supply split sheet showing potential options for accommodation and food re-supply. Riders must carry everything they require including mandatory equipment.

Before their departure, Coetzee wrote on social media: “I’m looking forward to long days, tough kilometres and new terrain over 1970 km. Follow along and be part of our journey (https://q.my.na/7Z8R).


START: The Oakes hotel at Byrne Village near Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal.

Checkpoint 1 at 300 km / CP 2 at 630 km / CP 3 at 1080 km

FINISH (1970 km): Diemersfontein Wine Estate in Wellington, Western Cape.