The 2025 edition of the Ride Joburg Mountain Bike Challenge has been cancelled. With more than 3 000 entrants competing over two days, South Africa’s biggest mountain bike race will not be held in 2025 according to a press release from the organisers.
On Wednesday 11 June 2025, Faces Africa sent a press release out to announce the change of the date of the annual Ride Joburg road race from the planned date of Sunday 16 November, to Sunday 25 October. This is due to the hosting of the international G20 Summit at the Nasrec venue during October.
The press release also announced that Faces Africa are cancelling the 2025 edition of the Ride Joburg Mountain Bike Challenge, scheduled to be held at Steyn City on 8-9 November.
Below is the full press release:
Ride Joburg Moves to New Date for 2025: Sunday, 26 October
Johannesburg, South Africa – Ride Joburg, Africa’s premier closed-road cycling event, has announced a change in date for the 2025 edition of its iconic road race. The event will now take place on Sunday, 26 October 2025, moving forward from its original date of 16 November 2025.
This necessary adjustment comes in response to the 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit, which is scheduled for November. With global heads of state gathering at Nasrec, international security protocols require the complete sterilisation of the surrounding precincts well in advance of the summit. As a result, hosting a mass participation event such as Ride Joburg in the area during this period is not feasible.
MTB Weekend Cancelled
As a result of the condensed calendar and shift in date caused by the G20 Summit, the much-loved Mountain Bike Weekend, originally scheduled for 8–9 November, will not take place in 2025. The decision to cancel was not made lightly.
“We know how much the MTB weekend means to our riders and partners, and this decision weighed heavily on us,” said Fritz Pienaar, Race Director of Ride Joburg. “But under the revised calendar, it simply won’t be possible to deliver both events to the standard our participants deserve. Our full focus is now on making the 2025 road event the strongest edition yet.”
What Riders Can Expect
Despite the date shift, the heart of Ride Joburg remains unchanged. 2025 participants can still expect:
- Full road closures across the route
- World-class water points and rider support
- Top-tier safety protocols
- A revamped venue layout at FNB Stadium
- An enhanced sprint finish, alongside the brand-new Dome alongside the stadium
The date change also comes with a silver lining – cooler temperatures and the city in full bloom with Jacarandas painting the streets purple. These conditions promise an unforgettable experience for riders and spectators alike.
Additionally, the October slot aligns perfectly with the global cycling calendar, opening the door for top-tier international and local elites to compete for one of the most lucrative prizes in African cycling: R200,000 each for the first male and female across the line in the 97km race.
“By moving the event earlier, we’re opening up Ride Joburg to elite riders who are still in peak form before heading into their off-season. We’re confident this will be our most competitive field yet,” said Pienaar.
Options for Existing Entrants
All participants who have already entered either the Road or MTB events will be contacted shortly. MTB entrants will be refunded automatically, and road entrants will be given the option to either receive a full refund, or to keep their entry for the 26 October 2025 Ride Joburg Road event.
Further communication detailing how to action these options will be shared directly with participants via email.
Looking Ahead
This change follows two months of close collaboration between Ride Joburg and critical partners including the FNB Stadium, the City of Johannesburg, Metro Police, Kyalami, SARZA, and Think Bike. Their shared commitment has ensured the event remains viable and continues to grow in stature.
Ride Joburg remains committed to delivering a safe, exhilarating, and world-class cycling experience in the heart of Johannesburg. We look forward to welcoming participants from across the globe on 26 October 2025 to Ride Joburg at its best!
For further information and updates, please visit www.ridejoburg.co.za or contact us directly at info@ridejoburg.co.za.
