- Toyota returns as Official Vehicle Partner.
- 750km, seven-day gravel stage race.
- Race runs 25 to 31 October.
- Fleet of 16 Toyota vehicles supports operations.
- New Power Climber Jersey on three stages.
For the second year running, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) will serve as Official Vehicle Partner of the Nedbank Gravel Burn. The 750km, 7-day gravel stage race departs from Robert Sobukwe (formerly Graaff Reinet) Town on 25 October and finishes at Shamwari Private Game Reserve on 31 October.
A fleet of 16 Toyota vehicles will support the operations of this 2nd edition, carrying race stakeholders, staff, crew and participants along the route through the Great Karoo.
Toyota Power Climber Jersey introduced
New for 2026 is the Toyota Power Climber Jersey. It recognises the best uphill rider in both the Pro and Age Group categories, as well as the overall best climber, and will be contested on three of the race’s seven stages.
Toyota Specialized riders in the Pro category
The brand’s sponsored professional teams, Toyota Specialized Off-Road and Toyota Specialized Imbuko, will field a line-up in the Pro category that includes Matt Beers, Marco Joubert, Tristan Nortje, Travis Stedman, Jaedon Terlouw, Inus du Preez and Lood Goosen. Because this is a solo stage race, each rider competes individually for the overall leader jersey in their category while still representing a team.
Those riders featured strongly at the inaugural 2025 event. Beers, riding for Toyota Specialized Off-Road, took the overall Pro Men’s title after winning three of the seven stages and leading from Stage 1 to the finish at Shamwari. He crossed the line 5 minutes and 26 seconds clear of Switzerland’s Simon Pellaud after more than 800km of racing. Nortje finished 4th overall, and Stedman won the final stage into Shamwari.
Amateur riders under the Toyota banner
Several amateur cyclists will also ride for Toyota. Reuben van Niekerk competes in the adaptive rider category, while adventure cyclist and women’s sports advocate Tegan Philips joins semi-pro rider and Sub-veteran gravel champion Bianca Nel. David Jenkins, founder of The Active Hobo media platform, completes the group.
Further details on the company’s brand partnerships are available on the Toyota Community Sponsorships page of the Toyota South Africa website.
Supplied by MotorPress (Riaan Esterhuysen, Senior Manager: PR & Corporate Communication, Toyota South Africa)
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