OUR PARTNERS
We value our partners and commit to them for the long-term journey of building an iconic African sports brand. Here we honour our sponsors and partners and share the context of each of our relationships, as the handshakes are made and contracts signed.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
presenting and sustainability partner
From day one of Nedbank Gravel Burn’s inception, ChemChamp has been a constant presence. Founder and CEO Daniel Tenner runs a large industrial material recycling organisation, leading the way in sustainable practices. He also happens to be a passionate cyclist – a perfect match. Within a very short time of meeting, we were working together on key infrastructure (showers and toilets, for now…) for our Burn Camps, with sustainability baked in. Beyond elevating the rider experience, ChemChamp’s plan was always to leave a legacy for riders to enjoy beyond Nedbank Gravel Burn. So for Kindling, adding “by ChemChamp made perfect sense.
Sponsors
Designed and manufactured South Africa, and tested on Pure South African Gravel Ciovita brings world-class performance apparel to our fiery fold. As a local company with international exposure, we feel a common purpose — that and a commitment to community and adventure. As our official cycling apparel partner, Ciovita provide all 2026 riders with a special edition Kindling by ChemChamp cycling jerseys — what a start to this three-day adventure!
Elixirr is an award-winning global consulting firm working with clients across a diverse range of industries, markets and geographies. Founded in 2009, the firm set out to be the ‘challenger consultancy’ and do things differently than the large corporate consultancies dominating the industry: working openly and collaboratively with clients from start to finish, delivering outcomes based on innovative thinking. In our short journey with them so far, they have created three digital platforms including our new, custom registration platform. Enter now and try it out!
NTT DATA is a global leader in technology and digital services, serving many of the world’s top companies. With expertise in AI, infrastructure and consulting, they help organisations reimagine what’s possible. They are about building for the long run – turning vision into reality and ambition into lasting impact, and that rings true with us. We look to the future with confidence and with them alongside us, that future feels closer than ever.
One day of gravel takes its toll. Try three or more! Recovery is key. Enter Hyperice – a global high-performance wellness brand specialising in technology-driven recovery solutions that help people move better. Founded in 2010, Hyperice has developed a suite of award-winning products – including Normatec dynamic air compression boots – used by athletes and fitness professionals in over 60 countries. The company’s mission is to help everyone on Earth move and live better, and now, that includes Nedbank Gravel Burn riders.
Nirvana Europe brings their world-class travel expertise to SA, offering tailored packages for international riders – including a premium experience hosted by Olympic legend Alistair Brownlee. From logistics to luxury, they handle the details so riders can focus on, well, the ride. Look out for a special moment as Alistair joins us in the Great Karoo for an unforgettable long weekend of gravel.
Nestled in the heart of the Karoo, beneath the watchful Lootsberg mountains, Blaauwater is a place shaped by time and tradition. Home to the Kingwill family for generations, it stands as a testament to resilience and connection to the land. Life at Blaauwater Burn Camp is powered by the essentials – water drawn from the ancient Sundays River, fire fueling meal preparation and a community spirit that forges friendships to last a lifetime.
Some partnerships are just inevitable. Kevin’s story with Vida e Caffè begins over two decades ago, when he’d fuel up at the original Kloof Street café. Since then Vida has been part of the weekly rhythm, including our Tuesday morning gravel rides around Table Mountain from the Camps Bay café. When discussions with Vida began around Nedbank Gravel Burn, it felt like it was all coming full circle. Vida e Caffè will bring their unmistakable energy to the event, from when coffee is brought to the riders’ Lapas in the Burn Camps at first light.
One winter morning, when Nedbank Gravel Burn was still just a spark of an idea, Kevin was tackling a task on his long to-do list: ‘Find office space.’ That’s just when a LinkedIn notification popped up – a fellow cyclist and owner of WeWork South Africa, was also working on a new venture. Fast forward a month, and the team had established HQ at WeWork Cape Town and Stef Migliore, CEO of this premium office space organisation, was the proud owner of an OPEN WI.DE – and is currently in training for Kindling by ChemChamp.
Fortinet leads in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions. Trusted by enterprises, service providers and governments worldwide, Fortinet secures more than half a million customers. Its Security Fabric platform delivers uncompromising protection across the digital attack surface, enabling organisations to safeguard critical data, reduce risk and innovate with confidence. Ranked among the top network security vendors, Fortinet is recognised for combining high performance with operational simplicity.
Our partnership with Meerendal Wine Estate brings together the raw adventure of our race and the refined craft of one of South Africa’s most respected winemakers. In October, riders will enjoy a curated selection of Meerendal’s fine wines, specially chosen for the event—a true taste of South Africa. Owner Herman Coertze and Kevin are long-time friends. Herman is a passionate advocate for racing bikes on dirt, and of course, a huge fan of the sport. He’s also signed up to ride the event with his wife.
Gravel and beer go together like bacon and eggs, salt and pepper, burgers and chips. Castle Lite joined Nedbank Gravel burn as official beer partner, bringing cold refreshment and great times to the post-stage experience. Now we welcome the iconic brand to Kindling by ChemChamp. Whether it’s a campfire moment, a shared sunset or a finish line toast – the beer is cold and stories flow.
ENS has been part of the off-road racing journey since the early days. As Africa’s largest law firm, they bring world-class legal insight not just to our commercial setup, but also in helping evolve the rules of gravel stage racing itself. Trusted, visionary and fully invested in the sport, they’ve helped Nedbank Gravel Burn break new ground – on paper and on dirt – and now Kindling by ChemChamp as we extend our gravel portfolio.
Karoo hospitality is widely known and well documented as legendary. However, no guidebook could capture what we experienced when presenting the Nedbank Gravel Burn concept (back then it was just an idea) and later Kindling by ChemChamp to the townsfolk of Graaff Reinet. Throughout our journey they’ve welcomed us as warmly and embraced both events as if it were their own. They’ve become our anchor in the heart of our race – the Great Karoo.
Every journey is enriched by the people who support it. Since 2001, the SA College for Tourism has been empowering marginalised youth in rural and peri-urban communities, creating opportunities in hospitality and conservation. With its focus on women’s empowerment and skills development, SACT has played a vital role in shaping the vision for our Burn Camps for Nedbank Gravel Burn and now for Kindling by ChemChamp, where riders can experience the warmth and authenticity of South African hospitality. We believe a world-class gravel event should leave a positive impact on the communities it touches.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
PARTNER WITH US
Kindling by ChemChamp is the latest event to be added to our portfolio of gravel races. We are as much a bike race as we are a community in which we all benefit from the joy of gravel. Get in touch to find out how to get on board as a partner.