Despite a misty and damp start to the Battery Centre Midmar Notts Cycle Race held recently, cyclists arrived in droves for a rare opportunity to test their racing fitness ahead of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour tomorrow.
After a three-man breakaway, it was Travys Wilkins (Cyclelab Sharks) who outsprinted Giovanni Pantelone (Autopanel Burg Wheelers) and David Leiman (Fullimput) to take the win in a fast one hour 50,44 for the 80-km route.
Claire Matthews (Konica Minolta) showed her class in the women’s field, winning in 1:58,34 — over two minutes clear of second-placed Brenda Potts (Bring It On Cycles) and Sandra Haywood (KZN Tri).
The 30-km fun ride was won in a tie finish between young Justin Hellens and Mark Adam (53,26), with Philip Krugel placing third. Petro van Heerden was the first women home ahead of Rochelle van Eck with Andrea de Boer third.
Giro de Capo ends in Cape Town today
An uncompromising 600-km route is nearing completion for the classy field of 150 cyclists taking part in South Africa’s foremost international cycling stage race, the MTN Giro del Capo. The mountains of the Boland and Durbanville winelands set the stage for the five-day itinerary which began in Wellington on Tuesday.
Today sees the final stage advance on the time-honoured 5,5-km Signal Hill individual time-trial.
Cycling reaches fever pitch in Cape Town
Cape Town has a major transformation every year in March. The city teems with out-of-towners and tourists. Cycling becomes the transport mode of choice. Many cars have bike racks and an alarming number of men walk around with shaved legs. This is Cycle Tour season, when Cape Town hosts an 11-day cycling extravaganza, which includes the world’s largest timed cycling event.
Every year over 70 000 people flock to the Lifecycle Expo, SA’s largest cycling, health and fitness expo.
Tomorrow is race day. Undoubtedly the highlight of Lifecycle Week, the Cape Argus Cycle Tour takes 35 000 cyclists of all ages, shapes and sizes along 109 km of the of the Cape Peninsula’s most scenic roads. All the proceeds go to charity, benefiting hundreds of community organisations and initiatives. Last year R3 million was shared between the Pedal Power Association and The Rotary Club of Claremont.
MULTISPORT
Cordwalles Preparatory School hosts the third Mudman event in the aQuelle series at Camp Thurlow (Underberg Road — R618) at Midmar Dam on March 16. Despite challenging weather conditions at the Cordwalles Mudman event last year, the day was extremely successful, with over 1 100 athletes participating.
Registration is open from 6.30 to 7.45 am. The full distance event starts at 8.15 (team event 8.45 am) and begins with a dam swim of 750 m or a four-kilometre canoe paddle, a mountain bike race of 20 km and an off-road run of five kilometres.The half-distance event starts at 10.20 am (team event 10.30 am). The popular mudskippers event for children from pre-school through to 12-year-olds will begin at 11.30 am.
Pre-entries close on Thursday at 5 pm. For more event details contact George at 082 774 7530 or visit www.cordwalles.co.za
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Maverick Cycling Cub hosts the fourth event in the KZN MTB Cup Series tomorrow morning at Cascades Shopping Centre. Registration is between 6.30 and 7.30 am with the batches starting from 8 am. Entry fees are R60 for licensed riders and R70 for unlicenced.
• The Greg Kaumpek memorial downhill race takes place at the same venue tomorrow to facilitate logistics for the national championships on March 15 and 16. Contact Brian Dinkelman at 084 693 1502 for downhill registration details and Carl Calvery 082 923 1825 for more.
•The Subaru MTB Super Classic, hosted by Jowetts Cycles, will be held on March 30. The race will start and end at the Cedara Agricultural College Sports Centre. For entry enquiries contact Ingrid at 033 3941421; for race enquiries, Chris at 082 566 5258.
•Entries are open — but limited — for the Mr Price Karkloof Classic, KZN’s biggest MTB festival.
The event was successfully introduced to the mountain bike calendar last year when it drew 3 000 athletes, mostly from KZN abnd Gauteng. Details can be viewed at www.karkloofclassic.co.za. Entry forms can be downloaded from the site or collected at your closest bike store.
ROAD CYCLING
The Belgotex/Mercury Cycle Classic takes place over Easter (March 22 to 23). The 2008 event is once again an Amashova seeding event. The start will be at the Pietermaritzburg campus rugby stadium in Booysens Park.
The prize money is over R30 000, which will attract many of SA’s pro cycling teams and over 2 000 social and competitive cyclists too. With the event going into its eighth year, race organisers are looking to draw more than 2 500 cyclists.
Entry forms are available from all sports and cycling stores or enter online on www.cyclelab.co.za.
