Ride Joburg has announced a change in date for the 2025 edition of its iconic road race. The event will now take place on Sunday, 26 October 2025, moving forward from its original date of 16 November 2025.

This necessary adjustment comes in response to the 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit, which is scheduled for November. With global heads of state gathering at Nasrec, international security protocols require the complete sterilisation of the surrounding precincts well in advance of the summit. As a result, hosting a mass participation event such as Ride Joburg in the area during this period is not feasible.

MTB Weekend Cancelled

“It simply won’t be possible to deliver both events to the standard our participants deserve.”

As a result of the condensed calendar and shift in date caused by the G20 Summit, the much- loved Mountain Bike Weekend, originally scheduled for 8–9 November, will not take place in 2025. The decision to cancel was not made lightly. “We know how much the MTB weekend means to our riders and partners, and this decision weighed heavily on us,” said Fritz Pienaar, Race Director of Ride Joburg. “But under the revised calendar, it simply won’t be possible to deliver both events to the standard our participants deserve. Our full focus is now on making the 2025 road event the strongest edition yet.”

What Riders Can Expect

Despite the date shift, the heart of Ride Joburg remains unchanged. 2025 participants can still expect:

● Full road closures across the route
● World-class water points and rider support
● Top-tier safety protocols
● A revamped venue layout at FNB Stadium
● An enhanced sprint finish, alongside the brand-new Dome alongside the stadium

The date change also comes with a silver lining – cooler temperatures and the city in full bloom with Jacarandas painting the streets purple. These conditions promise an unforgettable experience for riders and spectators alike.

Additionally, the October slot aligns perfectly with the global cycling calendar, opening the door for top-tier international and local elites to compete for one of the most lucrative prizes in African cycling: R200,000 each for the first male and female across the line in the 97km race.

“By moving the event earlier, we’re opening up Ride Joburg to elite riders who are still in peak form before heading into their off-season. We’re confident this will be our most competitive field yet,” said Pienaar.

Options for Existing Entrants

All participants who have already entered either the Road or MTB events will be contacted shortly. MTB entrants will be refunded automatically, and road entrants will be given the option to either receive a full refund, or to keep their entry for the 26 October 2025 Ride Joburg Road event.

Further communication detailing how to action these options will be shared directly with participants via email.

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