Back for its 16th edition – and reborn as a gravel-focused event – the Luxliner Route 66 returns on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March, 2026, delivering a world-class, two-day gravel racing experience unlike anything Gauteng has seen.
Paid partnership with The Leverage Corporation
Hosted at the luxurious 5-Star Mount Grace Hotel & Spa in the Magaliesberg, this prestigious event, with Luxliner as the title sponsor for a fifth consecutive year, sits less than an hour’s drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, making it the most accessible premium stage race on the calendar.
And this year, it’s all about gravel. Remodelled to embrace the surging gravel-racing movement, the 2026 Luxliner Route 66 brings a vast network of dirt roads, lengthy climbs, and a few rougher surfaces together in a way that rewards pacing, endurance and plenty of grit. Whether you’re racing for glory or riding for the sheer love of adventure, the Luxliner Route 66 promises a race environment that feels both professional and soul-stirring.
Race Format: Two Days of True Gravel Challenge
- Day 1: 75km
- Day 2: 80km
In proper Luxliner Route 66 tradition, both stages deliver a demanding test – tough enough to make you dig deep, but rewarding enough to remind you exactly why you ride. Rolling hills, punchy climbs, sweeping descents, and magical Magaliesberg views are guaranteed.
While the spotlight is firmly on gravel bikes, the event remains fully open to mountain bikes and eBikes, keeping the inclusive Luxliner Route 66 spirit alive. For riders preparing for the Absa Cape Epic, this race offers the perfect training block: challenging back-to-back stages, controlled conditions, and quality competition.
PRIZE MONEY, PRESTIGE AND MEDIA EXPOSURE
Elite racers have more than just bragging rights to race for – the Luxliner Route 66 offers R45 000 in prize money, with R10 000 each to the Elite Men and Elite Women’s winners of the two-day race, ensuring top-level racing across the entire weekend.
Even better, the event receives a high-quality media coverage package on SuperSport, bringing national exposure to South Africa’s premier gravel athletes and adding an unmistakably professional edge to the race environment.
ONE-DAY OPTION FOR WEEKEND WARRIORS
Not ready for a two-day push? No stress. Route 66 offers three one-day racing options on Day 2, giving riders of all fitness levels a chance to experience this iconic event:
- 80km
- 60km
- 45km
In the 60km event, there will be a Couples Challenge. It’s designed to unify, not divide, so teamwork is essential to be successful in this unique category.
The 45km event doubles as Round 2 of the 2026 Luxliner Schools Series, a non-technical marathon distance series geared to offer marked, supported races for Junior and Youth Category (Under 18). Riders score points for their school at each round and a winning school is rewarded with R50 000 in prize value at the end of the series.
These routes retain all the flavour of the main race – the views, the grit, the vibe – but with distances suited to a broader mix of riders. Timing is everything, and early March delivers the Magaliesberg at its best. With the end of summer bringing lush greenery, full rivers, and crisp morning air, riders can expect dramatically beautiful landscapes from start to finish.
For those with non-riding supporters, on Saturday, 28 February, there are 5km, 10km and 15km trail runs to keep them actively engaged while you ride.
Entries are open. Find out more or enter online here.
