The Toyota Specialized Racing Team dove headfirst into the 2025 season at the Attakwas Extreme, a
beast of a race spanning 124 km with a soul-testing 2900m of climbing. It’s a course that separates the
ambitious from the prepared, stretching from Chandelier Game Reserve in Oudtshoorn to Pine Creek
Resort in Great Brak River. With a day this tough, you don’t just ride—you survive.
Race Report: 2025 Attakwas Extreme – Toyota Specialized Racing TeamRider ResultsAlan Hatherly claimed top honours with a stellar time of 4:50:16. Flying the Toyota Specialized flag, Johanvan Zyl crossed the line in 8th place, while our newest recruit, Travis Stedman, powered through to finish16th in what can only be described as a baptism by Karoo fire.
Performance on the Day
For Travis Stedman, it was his first time racing mountain bikes in three years, having spent recent seasons
on European roads. His reflections? Honest, humble, and tinged with optimism:
“Attakwas was a brutal welcome back to mountain biking. It’s been a while since I’ve started a race
without tarmac under my wheels. The first half felt good, but the second…Let’s just say I made friends with
cramps. Still, I’m loving the team environment and can’t wait to get stronger from here.”
Travis’s race-day setup included the Specialized S-Works Epic 8 with its 120mm suspension and Flight
Attendant, a combo that handled the rocky descents and rolling climbs with ease (even if the rider was
sweating bullets).
For tyres he opted for A Fast Trak Control up front and a Renegade Control rear, paired with pressures just
north of 19 psi—though he noted he might soften things up next time. Lessons learned while the legs
burned.
Meanwhile, Johan van Zyl stuck to his methodical approach, balancing early-season form with a clear
focus on the year ahead:
“The first race of the year is always tricky. You want to test the legs without overcooking them. Things were
going well until a rogue rock decided to sabotage my chainring. That made the last stretch... interesting.
Eighth place isn’t perfect, but it’s a good start, and I’m feeling strong.”
Johan opted for a similar S-Works Epic 8 setup, dialling in 17/18 psi in his Renegade Control tyres. He
navigated the notorious Attakwaskloof with his usual calm precision, though he admitted to a few choice
words after his chainring took a hit from the Karoo’s infamous terrain.
The Route and Conditions
The race started on a measured note but quickly turned spicy heading into the King of the Mountain. With
heat rising—both in temperature and tempo—the elite field splintered as the day wore on.
Attakwas isn’t just a race, it’s a test for fitness, strategy, and mental grit. It’s also a great reminder that
“easy” and “Karoo” don’t belong in the same sentence.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, the Toyota Specialized Racing Team left Oudtshoorn with plenty of positives and a
few stories for the campfire. Travis is eager to build on his debut, while Johan is already strategizing for
the next start line.
As Johan put it: “Being part of a setup like this makes all the difference. From top-notch bikes, the best
Hilux Bakkies to unmatched support, it’s a dream. Now, it’s time to put the lessons from Attakwas to work
and take on the season ahead.”
The “Hell of the South” might have lived up to its reputation, but so did the Toyota Specialized Racing
Team. With the first race in the books, the stage is set for an exciting year of racing, growth, and maybe a
little revenge on rogue rocks.Provisional Race Calendar:January:January 25: Trailseeker #1 Banhoek – Johan Van Zyl, Travis StedmanJanuary 26: Winelands Road Race – Johan Van Zyl, Travis Stedman, Cherise WilleitFebruary:February 2: WC XCO, Bloemendal- Matt Beers, Johan Van ZylFebruary 6-9: Tankwa Trek – TBCFebruary 15: Imbuko Big 5 – Johan Van Zyl, Travis Stedman, Cherise Willeit