Famed and feared, the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, is known as the Hell of the South for good reason. Temperatures in the Klein Karoo can soar in January, the Attakwaskloof is formidably rocky, and the rolling roads in the second half of the 120-kilometre-long course are corrugated and packed with climbs that should not be written off as rollers. All told, it is a brutal way to start a cycling season, but for riders who have big aspirations for the year ahead or those who simply want to prove themselves as tough enough, it is the perfect way to start the year!
Mountain bikers can now sign up for what could well be the toughest day of cycling in 2027. Entries to the 21st edition are open, and benefit from an early-bird discount to the full Extreme distance, as well as the Half and Mini events, until the 31st of July this year. Dryland Rewards members can also earn points by entering through the Dryland Rewards mobile application. These points will then count towards discounts on future event entries. Further savings can be made by using the Entry Ninja referrals programme. Anyone who enters from the unique referral link that users can generate after entering a R250 voucher for the referrer to spend on a Dryland event entry at a later date.
As in 2026, the 2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, will take a slightly easier approach to the Attakwaskloof. This should help riders reach the kloof, as well as the gravel roads on the Eastern side of the kloof, fresher. In 2026, this led to faster times and a record 97% finisher’s rate. Only 20 of the 745 starters failed to finish.
“I loved the change to the opening kilometres,” 2024 and 2025 champion, Samantha Sanders, said. “It allowed for a faster start and more tactical racing towards the Queen of the Mountain hotspot at the summit of the Attakwaskloof.”
“We had anticipated that the change would make the elite men about 15 minutes faster, and could help the slowest riders by as much as 45 minutes,” Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management stated. “That proved a good guess. Alan [Hatherly] was 30 minutes faster than he had been in 2025, but the weather conditions on the day were a big help too! Cool conditions certainly made everyone faster.”
“I don’t think it made the race ‘easy’ though! It’s still a 120-kilometre mountain bike race, crossing very rough terrain, and taking in 2 600 metres of climbing. It’s just a bit more enjoyable. And hopefully allows riders to finish strong, emptying their tanks in the final 10-15 kilometres, rather than limping across the line completely broken.”
“I think we’ll see in a hotter year how much faster the course really is,” Rademeyer speculated. “As Dryland, we enjoy the cooler editions as much as the riders do, because they’re less stressful. But it being blazing hot is also part of the unique appeal of the race. For 2025, we added a 6th water point and changed the second elite rider feed zone to the intersection with the Robertson Pass Road. From Bonniedale to Pine Creek, there is now an aid station every 16 kilometres or less. This, along with the updated route, brings the race into reach for more riders.”
“Our goal is to make chasing a faster time or Ratel status the aim for more riders, rather than having the majority of the field simply prioritising finishing within the cut-off,” Rademeyer concluded.
Alongside the 120-kilometre Extreme, the event boasts two shorter distance races which start and finish at Pine Creek Resort in Great Brak River. The 47-kilometre Half is the ideal marathon distance for junior racers, and serves as a good introduction to XCM racing for school-aged mountain bikers who predominantly race in the cross-country format in Schools League events. The 32-kilometre Mini is suitable for older primary school competitors and acts as a feeder event for the Half. E-MTB riders are welcome to enter both the Half and Mini events, but open category and older riders should note that only junior competitors will be rewarded at the Half and Mini prize giving ceremonies.
Entries to the 2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, opened on Monday, 2 March 2026. Early bird entry fees will apply until 31 July this year, and participants who wish to receive an official finisher’s garment will need to confirm their entry before 16 November 2026. For more information or to enter online, visit www.atta.co.za. For insights into what it takes to conquer the Hell of the South, follow @attakwasmtb on Instagram or like the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, Facebook page
2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen
Race Date: 16 January 2027
Start: Chandelier Game Lodge, outside Oudtshoorn
Finish: Pine Creek Resort, Great Brak
Men’s Course Record: 4h25m10s (Alan Hatherly, 2026)
Women’s Course Record: 5h25m55s (Annika Langvad, 2017)
Key Points in the Route: WP 1: 21km | WP 2: 40km | KOM/QOM: 55km | WP 3: 66km | WP 4: 78km | WP 5: 94km | WP 6: 108km | Finish: 120km
Distance Options: Extreme: 120km | Half: 47km | Mini: 32km
Early Bird Entry Fee: Extreme: R1 900 | Half: R450 | Mini: R250 (Until 31 July 2026)
Late Entry Fee: Extreme: R2 450 | Half: R600 | Mini: R300 (Until 30 November 2026)
Last Minute Entry Fee: Extreme: R2 850 | Half: R600 | Mini: R300 (Until Entries Close)
Website: www.atta.co.za
Facebook: Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen
Instagram: @attakwasmtb
