Cape Pioneer 2026

Covering the Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer presented by Biogen from the back of a motorbike is fast, muddy, and wildly unpredictable. As the lead photographer for the event, my week was spent chasing the peloton, navigating gravel roads, 4x4 trails, rocky singletrack, and a lot of river crossings.



Here is a visual diary of the race through my lens, along with a look at what it takes to shoot from the pillion seat.

(Note: All images featured in this post were captured by me, but copyright belongs to Oakpics).

Stage 1: Wilderness to Louvain

A misty coastal morning in Wilderness quickly burned off into a scorching, beautiful day. This was my first time shooting pillion, presenting a steep learning curve right out of the gate. The terrain was unforgiving, with a big climb and a brutally rough downhill into Louvain, but the sweeping valley shots made every bump worth it.

Stage 2: Louvain to Louvain

Pure chaos in the best way. The day started with a vicious climb and descent, where we were suddenly caught by the leading bunch. Trying to bail out of their line, we clipped a tree trunk and bent the motorbike’s rear brake peg. After a quick trailside fix, the route fought back. We got stuck in the mud twice, eventually having to physically drag the bike out when the rear wheel disappeared entirely into a bog.

Stage 3: Louvain to Oudtshoorn

The transfer day into the Klein Karoo. While the trails began to kick up some dust, recent heavy rains meant the ground was still completely saturated. We spent the day navigating endless river crossings and lingering mud patches as the landscape slowly shifted from green valleys to rugged scrub.

Stage 4: Oudtshoorn Loop

A drastic change of pace. Wide-open Karoo gravel roads dictated the route, resulting in incredibly fast racing at the sharp end of the field. The speed meant less technical maneuvering on the bike and more focus on capturing the sheer pace and scale of the riders against the open horizon.

Stage 5: The Oudtshoorn Finish

Overnight downpours left the morning rivers swollen and the route very muddy. The trail cut through a stunning nature reserve, culminating in a lucky, wide-angle capture of a group of giraffes running just ahead of two riders. The adventure didn't stop there—my driver punctured on the final stretch of gravel, forcing me to hitch a ride with a another biker to make it to the finish line.

Behind the Lens: The Pillion Experience