The numbers don’t lie. The 20th edition of the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, recorded the highest finisher rate in the event’s history. For its landmark 20th edition in 2026, organisers extended the race cut-off from 11 hours to 12 hours. The result? Of the 753 starters, an impressive 733 riders reached the finish – a record finisher total. But perhaps the most telling statistic was this: only eight riders actually needed the additional hour.
Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management
That tells us something significant. South Africa’s toughest and most prestigious one-day mountain bike race hasn’t become easier. Riders have simply become better prepared. If you’ve always considered the Attakwas Extreme as something to admire rather than attempt, the 2027 edition on 16 January could be the perfect time to change that.
Of the 753 starters in 2026, only 20 riders withdrew during the race, leaving an outstanding 733 finishers. That’s a 30% increase over the average 513 finishers recorded between 2023 and 2025.
While the temperatures were favourable and the route was shortened slightly by removing a four-kilometre section featuring two notoriously rocky climbs, the challenge remains formidable. Riders still faced 120 kilometres and around 2 650 metres of climbing across rugged Karoo terrain. It’s still one of the toughest single-day mountain bike races in the country and the only one outside the National Championships to carry a UCI classification.
The distribution of finishers tells an even more interesting story. Only 28 riders finished between 10 and 11 hours, compared to an average of 106 over the previous three editions. Just eight riders crossed the line during the newly introduced final hour. In other words, 725 of the 733 finishers completed the race within the traditional 11-hour cut-off.
“Many riders that had completed the Atta Half in the past were encouraged by the extra hour given for the 2026 race, which saw a nice boost in entries. But it turns out most of them didn’t need that extra time,” said Dryland Event Management co-founder, Carel Herholdt.
The trial achieved exactly what organisers had hoped. It encouraged more riders to step up to the full Attakwas, while proving that with the right preparation, the vast majority were capable of finishing within the traditional cut-off. As a result, the race will return to its standard 11-hour limit for the 2027 edition.
The statistics underline just how successful the 2026 edition was. Previously, 41.89% finished after nine hours, whereas in 2026, just 14.44% finished after nine hours.
Copy of Finisher breakdown 2026 vs 2023-2025 ave
| Finish time | 2026 | 2023-2025 average |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-5 hours | 2.72% | 0.58% |
| 5-6 hours | 12.00% | 5.26% |
| 6-7 hours | 20.32% | 10.91% |
| 7-8 hours | 27.42% | 21.63% |
| 8-9 hours | 24.14% | 20.66% |
| 9-10 hours | 9.54% | 21.24% |
| 10-11 hours | 3.81% | 20.65% |
| 11-12 hours | 1.09% | – |
| Total finishers | 733 | 513 |
Another factor behind the improved results was better preparation. Three-time winner Matthys Beukes, now a full-time cycling coach, produced official training programmes for entrants. Riders could choose between a sub-nine-hour plan or a finish-focused programme aimed at getting them comfortably home inside the cut-off.
That emphasis on structured preparation is perhaps the biggest takeaway. Attakwas has never been a race you can simply “wing”. Respect the challenge, prepare properly and you’ll dramatically improve your chances of joining the ever-growing list of finishers.
Of course, race day always has the final say. Mid-January is the height of the South African summer and extreme heat can turn an already demanding day into a survival exercise. The inevitable headwind during the final 30 kilometres also varies from year to year and can have a noticeable impact on finishing times.
But the evidence from 2026 is clear. More riders than ever proved that Attakwas Extreme is an achievable goal.
Entries for the 2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, are now open.
If you’ve completed the Atta Half, this is your sign to take the next step. If you’ve always wondered whether you could conquer South Africa’s ultimate one-day mountain bike challenge, the answer is probably yes.
Start preparing now and make 16 January 2027 the day you add Attakwas Extreme to your list of lifetime finishes.
Find out more or secure your entry here.
Check out the video highlights of the 2026 edition here.
Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management
