Cape Town Cycle Tour 2025 – Full 4K Ride (Preview of the 2026 UCI Gran Fondo Qualifier Course)

The Cape Town Cycle Tour becomes a UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifier in 2026. This full 4K onboard ride from 2025 (Group 1C) is one of the closest real-world course previews for anyone training to qualify next year. This video covers the entire 2025 Cape Town Cycle Tour from inside Group 1C, including every climb, descent, bunch split, and pacing decision from my third attempt at breaking the 3-hour barrier. If you’re preparing for the 2026 UCI qualifier edition, this is one of the most accurate representations of race speed and dynamics available online. 🚴 Bike Setup • 2023 Giant Propel • Continental GP5000 S TR 28 mm tubeless @ 65 psi • MBPC race kit • Race weight ~80–81 kg • Full 4K action camera footage ⛰️ Key CTCT Segments Covered • Edinburgh Drive – early selection • Smitswinkel – power-to-weight test • Chapman’s Peak – fatigue management • Suikerbossie – decisive climb • Green Point run-in – high-speed finish These same sections will be critical qualification points when CTCT becomes a UCI Gran Fondo event in 2026. Although this 2025 event was not a UCI qualifier, the pacing, bunch movement, weather, and race flow provide an excellent reference for: • international riders visiting Cape Town in 2026 • age-group athletes aiming to qualify • cyclists looking for realistic race speeds • Sub-3 attempts and pacing ideas • anyone wanting an accurate course preview 🙏 Thank You Thanks to everyone who said hello—many of you appear in the footage! Huge thanks to fellow riders for a fast, safe, and enjoyable race. This was my third tour and one of the most memorable. 2025 time: 3:10:55 Overall position: 1602 / 17,932 Age group (55–59): 158 / 1,872 Group 1C: 151 / 247 Special mentions: • Andrew Woodburn (2-up partner through Muizenberg) • Aidan Whittles—blistering Sub-3 debut • My PE riding friends for an amazing stay • Ian for carrying camera gear • My wife, family, and Matt Bottrill Performance Coaching for getting me to the start line in top shape The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust delivered another world-class event—thank you to everyone involved. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Start (Group 1C) 00:07:40 – Hospital Bend 00:14:30 – Claremont 00:26:55 – Edinburgh Drive 00:42:15 – Steenberg Flats 01:07:50 – Smitswinkel 01:27:00 – Scarborough 01:51:30 – Misty Cliffs 02:10:00 – Noordhoek 02:23:00 – Hout Bay + Suikerbossie Wind 02:52:15 – Chappies 03:14:40 – Finish Line 03:19:00 – Wrap-Up Links & Credits My ride on Strava:   / strava   Commentary: Gerald De Kock, Cherise Willeit, Hobi Carrera Photography: https://www.actionphotosa.com Timing: https://finishtime.co.za Music: Epidemic Sound (licenced)