The Nxrth Goes South: Pros on Chasing the Unknown at Gravel Burn's First Edition in South Africa

Josh from The Nxrth is heading to South Africa for the first edition of Gravel Burn, a 7-day gravel stage race and telling the story in this seies, "The Nxrth Goes South". Before packin up, we caught up with several international pros racing the first Gravel Burn to hear what’s drawing them to the start line—and what they think awaits in the Karoo.

Words by Josh from The Nxrth.

To learn more, visit Gravel Burn.

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In two weeks, I'll be packing up my bike and heading to South Africa for "The Nxrth Goes South", a new on-the-ground series exploring the first edition of Gravel Burn.

The first edition of Gravel Burn is shaping up to be one of the boldest experiments in gravel racing yet: a week-long stage race through South Africa’s vast and rugged Karoo region. With its neutral support, enormous prize purse, and terrain no one has raced before, it’s as much an adventure as it is a competition.

Ahead of the debut, we asked a few of the international pros lining up what drew them to this brand-new event and what challenges they expect from the unknown.

What makes you decide to line up for Gravel Burn, especially in its very first edition?

Peter Stetina | USA

The whole reason I got into gravel was for new adventures. Additionally stage racing is what I always excelled at and loved most in my road career. So it's a perfect match of personal and professional objectives. The prize purse makes it interesting but that's not my reason for going. I am excited to explore a new continent and community in the setting of a high profile race.

Haley Smith | Canada

I love taking on an unknown challenge. It’s my favourite part of racing and training, honestly. I knew that I wanted to Gravel Burn as soon as it was announced purely because it was new and I tried. I also love exploring and travel, and racing in the Karoo was a huge draw. Finally, I really gravitate towards stage racing. I’m good at it, I thrive in it emotionally and mentally, and I just felt really excited by the event.

Marco Joubert | South Africa

Being a South African I had to take the opportunity to take part and get the chance to race against some of the best riders in the world. It's a daunting challenge but one that I am sure will grow me as an athlete. And, racing on roads and conditions I know I hope that will be an advantage that reflects on the results.

Maddy Nutt | UK

I’ve done a few first edition races and they are always super special. I love races where you build a community and the race is as much about the experience as the racing, and gravel burn looks like it’ll be just that!

Simon Pellaud | Switzerland

Since the first time I've heard about Gravel Burn I wanted to participate. GB will be one of, if not THE biggest Gravel event in the future, so important for me to be there from the first edition on! I've a big expectative and I'm really looking forward.

Axelle Dubau-Prevot | France

What excites me most about Gravel Burn is the chance to dive into something completely new. There’s something special about being part of a first edition, when everything is still to be written. I’m going there with friends, which makes it even better. We’ll get to celebrate the end of the season together, turn it into a little adventure, and discover the country after racing. I feel fresh, motivated, and ready to take on a challenge that goes beyond the usual calendar. For me, it’s the perfect mix of competition, discovery, and shared experience.

Gravel Burn stands out as one of the longest gravel stage races in the world, a huge prize purse, neutral support, and an unseen route. What do you think will be the biggest challenge?

Axelle Dubau-Prevot | France

The biggest challenge is the unknown itself. A multi-day format this long, on roads and trails no one has raced before, means you have to adapt quickly and race without clear reference points. It’s not just about being strong for one day, but about managing yourself across several unpredictable stages. That uncertainty is exactly what makes it exciting. You have to trust your preparation, embrace the adventure, and be ready to respond to whatever comes. It’s a rare kind of test, both physically and mentally, and that’s what draws me in.

Simon Pellaud | Switzerland

I raced and won the Transcordilleras in Colombia at the beginning of the season: 8 days of Gravel bikepacking/racing so ending my season with another stage race make sense to me! Biggest challenge will be as you said the unknown. I've no idea what to expect from the route and racing conditions. And hopefully nobody does so we will be all equal!

Maddy Nutt | UK

It looks to be very challenging. I would say the biggest challenge will be the level of the field. The start list is looking super competitive, which will make for a hard but fun week of racing

Marco Joubert | South Africa

I think the format suits the South African riders. We are used to the terrain and off the bike conditions - staying in campers and looking after ourselves. I think the best thing is to just make the most of everything, taking it all in and going with the flow.

Haley Smith | Canada

A week-long gravel stage race is a unique offering. I think it is only fitting that the race is neutral-support only, and I love that we’ll all be riding the tracks sight-unseen. It makes it a real bike racer’s challenge. Honestly, I think the biggest challenges are going to be weather and terrain, and the ability to pivot and adapt in the different circumstances we’ll encounter out there. That, and the fact that the field is absolutely star-studded!

Peter Stetina | USA

I think the logistics will be paramount to success. The route and tracks and course conditions are quite unknown for most. So it's hard to prepare specifically and luck will have a factor. But over-planning logistically is something Big Tall Wayne and I can control, having all the small things around camp life running smoothly and staying healthy. Extra filtered water, some home comforts, anything like that will go a long way.

Chasing What Comes Next

Talking with these riders, one thing stands out: curiosity. Nobody really know what Gravel Burn will feel like until we’re deep in it. The routes, the rhythm, and how it all unfolds are still a mystery. That uncertainty, the mix of fear, excitement, and discovery, is exactly what makes this so exciting.

As the first edition approaches, excitement is building all over the international gravel scene for what could become one of gravel’s defining stage races. In a few weeks, I’ll find out firsthand as The Nxrth Goes South heads to South Africa.

Stay tuned for stories, photos, and reflections from inside the race.