After three tough days of racing the 57km exploration stage, dubbed #SaasveldSingletrack, offered a welcome relief for the riders further down the overall classification, while the elite racers put the hammer down to showcase their technical riding skills. Erik Kleinhans and Matt Beers riding for Full Sus/Topeak Ergon/Red-E claimed a hard fought victory in the open men’s category, while the OMX Pro MTB duo of Cherie Redecker and Mariske Strauss continued their seemingly inexorable march to Cape Pioneer Trek victory in the open women’s race.

But the Cape Pioneer Trek is about so much more than just the elite riders racing for glory. The event is known as the Race With Soul and every rider is treated to the experience of a lifetime on the Cape Pioneer Trek. And you can share in that experience too by joining us tonight at 18:15 (Local Time/CUT +2).  As on Monday evening the #PioneerSpirit wrap-up show will broadcast live from the race village and here’s what you can expect when you tune in on www.capepioneer.co.za or via the Cape Pioneer Trek Facebook page.

The #PioneerSpirit show kicks off with highlights from Stages 2 and 3, as we recap on two fast and furious days of racing. After struggling on the rough terrain of Stage 1 on their hardtails the Estonian pairing of Peeter Pruus and Peeter Tarvis revelled on the smooth gravel roads of Stage 2 as they raced to stage victory. In so doing reduced their deficit to the NAD Pro MTB team of Nico Bell and Gawie Combrink. Stage 3 meanwhile played out in a dramatically different fashion as Erik Kleinhans overcame two poor performances as he struggled with a stomach complaint to race to stage victory alongside Matt Beers.

From the racing recaps the #PioneerSpirit moves on to capture the soul of the #racewithsoul. Host Gerald de Kock catches up with a perennial returner to the Cape Pioneer Trek, German MTB legend, Max Friedrich and his first time Pioneer entrant partner Daniele Troesch. The duo are leading a group of riders competing in the colours of German MTB club toMotion Racing by black tusk. The toMotion Racing contingent at the 2016 Cape Pioneer Trek boasts riders from not only Germany but also from Austria and France. Their progress in the #racewithsoul is being closely followed by their fellow club members back home in Europe.

The show wraps up with a look at the spectacular Southern Cape town of George. George is not only the administrative capital of the area it’s also one of South Africa’s most beautiful towns; with oak tree lined streets, nestled in the shadow of the majestic Outeniqua Mountains and a mere stone’s throw from the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Talking about the ever extending trail network and the hometown of his youth, alongside the Deputy Executive Major of George, Erik Kleinhans reflects on the mountain biker’s utopia which George has become. But the adventure activities aren’t limited to riding – the area boasts world-class surfing, paragliding, sailing, hiking, horse riding and, most famously, golfing for the sports enthusiasts too.

So tune in for Chapter 2 of #PioneerSpirit at 18:15 tonight. You can watch it live via www.capepioneer.co.za or on the Cape Pioneer Trek Facebook page. If you miss the live broadcast you can still watch it online after the live screenings on the same platforms. And we’d love to hear your thoughts so feel free to join the conversation and  tweet your views to @CapePioneerTrek.