The Karoo Burn

The 2023 edition confirmed that although you might have the legs to finish 242km in one go, the weather conditions can be your biggest enemy.
It was a serious challenge for all riders as they pushed themselves and their partners to reach unknown limits to complete the 242km race.

Congratulations, whether you finished the race in first place, achieved your personal best or was riding for fun - You are officially a warrior!

📸 Oakpics
News24.com

From waterpoint 4, as the hot African sun started to set, it was time to climb the Katpakkies pass.

With 170km completed, the riders had to dig deep as physical and emotional challenges took over.

📸 Oakpics
News24.com

Choosing the right line and avoiding the corrugations were key until waterpoint 4 to save your hands and that sensitive area that attached you to the saddle!

The riders swung off the R355 at the 170km mark at the famous Tankwa Padstal after much needed snacks and hydration and headed up the brutal, but majestic, Katbakkies Pass – the toughest part of the course.

📸 Oakpics
News24.com

From waterpoint 1 only 49km stood in the way of the riders reaching the next waterpoint at 111km at the Halfway House.
Even though the first 111km is just a warmup, some of the sections on the gravel road hid rocky shards that can shred a tyre in an instant, so caution was critical.

📸 Oakpics
News24.com

Starting in the Great Karoo sheep-farming town of Calvinia, the route headed onto the longest straight gravel road in South Africa – the infamous R355.

After an initial climb out of Calvinia, the course dropped down reaching the first waterpoint at the 62km mark at Rooiputs.

News24.com
📸 Oakpics

Dusty Day and Yolande de Villiers won the 2023 News24.com yesterday. The pair best battled the headwind, which blew relentlessly throughout the 242km race, to take the solo men's and women's titles, respectively. Read all about the race here:

Day and De Villiers Battle Headwinds to Win 2023 News24 Karoo Burn Dusty Day and Yolande de Villiers emerged victorious in a war of attrition against the wind, as much as against the brutal R355 gravel road, at the 2023 News24 Karoo Burn; on Saturday, 25 February. The 242 kilometre long race, from Calvinia to Kaleo Guest Farm, near Ceres, took on the

Here's a run down of how Yolande de Villiers won the solo women's category. Her winning time was 10:36:19. Bianca Silberbauer was second, also inside the top ten overall. Magan Hanekom rounded out the podium.

Here's Dusty Day's winning time and ride.

Update from Halfway House Tankwa after 111km. A group of four lead, while Yolande de Villiers is in the second group in the road, which caught poor Jacques Steyn, who had been solo against the wind for at least 30km. Catherine Colyn stopped to refuel losing the De Villiers group. But she has Regis Maniora for company.