Overview
The FNB Wines2Whales is more about the journey than the destination,
but no matter your inclinations or ambitions, you’re guaranteed a fun-filled, action-packed three days of riding alongside many like-minded people at the 2024 FNB Wines2Whales!
1 - 3 November 2024
The Chardonnay is the first of the three FNB Wines2Whales events and focuses on the women of mountain biking as the Pro racers and age group contenders are celebrated. Each year we see many of South Africa's, and often the world's, best female riders battle it out for the overall prize money and leader jerseys.
The Chardonnay event is also open to men's and mixed teams who are eager to experience the trails early on in the FNB W2W Switchback race period.
4 - 6 November 2024
With the reputation of being the most laid back and relaxed of the three events, The Pinotage sees the highest number of FNB Wines2Whales first-timers. The Pinotage also hosts the FNB Wines2Whales E-bike Race and Tour for riders who want to experience the FNB W2W with a little assistance.
Being a mid-week race, The Pinotage is perfect for international tourists and riders from different provinces as it offers the chance to participate in the event and plan an enjoyable weekend on either side.
8 - 10 November 2024
The Shiraz takes place over the last weekend of the race and has the reputation of taking up the pace a notch or two.
While the Chardonnay celebrates the Women's racing category, the Shiraz celebrates Men's, Mixed and Exxaro teams racing categories in addition to honouring the determination of the rest of the field as they compete in their respective age categories.
What is #SeriousGees
#SeriousGEES is the excitement of the start line.
- It’s the whoops in the singletrack.
- It’s the smiles and the thumbs ups.
#SeriousGEES is the memories made.
- It’s the stories shared over a glass of wine in the evenings.
- It’s the experience of riding South Africa’s favourite MTB trails alongside likeminded individuals.
#SeriousGEES is what awaits at the FNB Wines2Whales.
The FNB Wines2Whales was born out of the desire to create a world-class 3-day stage race in the Western Cape of South Africa. Since inception in 2009, the three events, aptly named after the wines of the area, have become a must-do event on the mountain bike calendar with riders from the farthest reaches of the country and the world.
The spirit of the FNB Wines2Whales is “gees” – truly South African phrase that is only understood once experienced.
The race's biggest drawcard is undoubtedly the route, which has been perfected over the past 13 years. In 2022, the race followed the traditional route and took teams from the wines of Lourensford to the whales of Hermanus. It was only traditional in direction as Cape Trails, Agrimark, and many landowners poured countless hours into uplifting the route and building new features, thus ensuring it was #SeriousGEES throughout.
In 2023, we're switching things up as we host the FNB W2W Switchback that will take teams from Curro, Hermanus to Oak Valley Estate to Lourensford Wine Estate. And, you guessed it, the route will be new, it will be improved, and it will deliver Serious GEES at every possible opportunity!
Entries to the 2023 FNB Wines2Whales open on 14 February 2023! Be the first in line or you will miss out!