The Epic Series has officially announced that the iconic FNB Wines2Whales will join the prestigious Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar as an S1-classified stage race starting in 2026. What UCI S1 Status Means for Local ProsFor South Africa’s elite cyclists, this news is a massive win. Previously, local riders often had to travel overseas at great expense to collect these points. A new, spectator-friendly 21 km lap-format course (3 x 7 km laps with 280 m elevation) at Lourensford Estate. Big Stakes and Bigger Prize PursesThanks to FNB and its event partners, the 2026 edition boasts a eye-watering R640,000 total prize purse.