If you ask anyone who rode the 2025 FNB Wines2Whales why it felt like the greatest edition yet, you’ll hear a mix of reasons: blue skies, faultless trails, the joyful Switchback route, legendary meals, thriving water points, and the unmistakable gees that pulsed through Oak Valley. But above all, riders kept coming back to one thing — the sheer fun of it. The kind that makes three days feel too short, and the kind that makes you vow to return, stronger and more excited, the next year.
That’s the magic the Epic Series team is already working hard to amplify for 2026. And if 2025 set a new benchmark, next year’s race promises to top it in every way.
Perfect Conditions, Perfect Mood
Part of what made 2025 so special was the weather. The infamous Cape spring can swing from moody to magnificent, but in 2025, the sun showed up and stayed. Almost the entire nine days of riding across Chardonnay, Pinotage, and Shiraz took place under open skies, giving everyone — from N1 first-timers to podium contenders — the chance to soak up the views, ride dry, fast trails, and finish each day in high spirits.
Sunshine doesn’t just make good photos. It lifts the whole race village. Oak Valley transformed into a hive of laughter and shared stories — a place where strangers became teammates, and teammates became lifelong friends. The FNB Rider Lounge was the beating heart of it all, overflowing with riders comparing lines, sipping recovery drinks, and reliving the day’s highlights.
Racing That Set a New Standard
The 2025 edition also delivered a level of racing intensity that kept fans glued to the updates. In the Chardonnay event, double defending champions Candice Lill and Tyler Jacobs arrived with purpose: to secure a third title and, for Lill, to become the most decorated rider in Wines2Whales history.
But nothing worth winning comes easy.
A wrong turn on Stage 1 forced the Liv Sabi-Sabi Seattle Coffee e-Fort pair into a dramatic chase — the kind of moment that sparks adrenaline on the trails and excitement back at the village. They clawed back lost time, surged into the lead, and set the tone for a dominant performance. By the final water point of Stage 1, they had regained control. By Stage 2, they were unstoppable.
A bit of overnight rain created tacky, dreamy dirt on Play Day — the kind of trail gold that makes every climb feel rewarding and every descent unforgettable. It was on these signature Oak Valley and Paul Clüver singletracks where Lill and Jacobs tightened their grip, extending their lead with punchy power and technical finesse.
They weren’t just racing to win. They were racing with joy — weaving through vineyards, forests, and handcrafted trail networks that make W2W one of the world’s most beloved stage races. Their final triumph made history: three consecutive overall wins, every single stage won, and Lill stepping into the Books as the first ever five-time champion.
But Wines2Whales Has Never Been Only About the Pros
Talk to riders like Marleen Lourens, who raced in the GIC Grand Masters’ category, and you’ll quickly realise why W2W is so much more than a results sheet.
“We’re a bunch of friends riding in four teams,” she said after Stage 2. “It doesn’t matter who wins — it’s about the gees. The trails here in Elgin are incredible, and W2W is the one time of year I make time to ride them. We’re looked after so well. It’s special. I’ve lost count of how many editions I’ve done… but there will be many, many more.”
This is the heart of Wines2Whales: competitive spirit matched with unfiltered enjoyment. The racing is real, but so is the laughter. The effort is real, but so is the hospitality. Riders push themselves, but they are also treated like royalty — with overflowing water points, world-class trail marking, warm meals, hot showers, and a race village that feels like a home away from home.
A Festival of Trails for Every Type of Rider
One of the biggest reasons riders return year after year is that FNB Wines2Whales offers three uniquely flavoured events:
- Chardonnay – for elite women and spirited female teams
- Pinotage – for mixed teams, e-bikers, and adventurous weekend warriors
- Shiraz – the grand finale with top men’s racing and high-energy teams
Each event delivers the same world-class experience, but each attracts a slightly different community — which means you can choose where you’ll feel most at home, or where you want to challenge yourself.
The Switchback Route: A Rider Favourite
2025 brought back the Switchback, the popular reverse-direction route that starts at the ocean and finishes deep in the mountains. Riders adored it — the flow, the views, the surprise of riding familiar trails in fresh ways.
The 2026 route will build on this success. Expect refinement, surprises, and more of the trail engineering that makes W2W’s singletrack world-renowned.
Why You Should Enter the 2026 Edition
Ask yourself this: how many stage races give you all of the following?
- Ungravelled, hand-crafted singletrack
- A race village with atmosphere and amenities that feel five-star
- A community that celebrates every rider, from the front to the back
- A world-class organising team behind every detail
- A chance to race, relax, and reconnect in one of South Africa’s most beautiful regions
Wines2Whales isn’t just a ride. It’s a three-day escape. A reset button. A chance to challenge yourself, indulge yourself, and immerse yourself in the sport you love.
Be Ready When 2026 Entries Open — They Will Sell Out
After the rave reviews of the 2025 edition, early interest in the 2026 race has already surged. If you want to be on the start line next year, you cannot afford to hesitate. These events have sold out quickly in the past — and 2026 is projected to be the most sought-after edition yet.
Whether you’re aiming for your first stage race, chasing a personal best, or simply craving the thrill of three days on South Africa’s best trails, this is your moment.
Get your teammates ready. Clear your calendar. And commit now to the riding experience that will define your year.
FNB Wines2Whales 2026: Come for the trails. Stay for the gees. Leave with memories that last a lifetime.
To experience the vibe in 2026, save the date for the 17th edition now. The event will take place from the 6th to the 15th of November next year, with entries opening on the 29th of January.
