Gqeberha's Kelsey van Schoor crosses the finish line to win the 40th edition of the Herald Cycle Tour's women's category in Addo on Sunday. Photo: Eugene Coetzee

Seasoned Durban campaigner Philip Buys and Nelson Mandela Bay star Kelsey van Schoor lit up the trails on Sunday, claiming the men’s and women’s mountain bike titles in the Herald Cycle Tour, made possible by Telkom.

Buys, 37, cruised to victory in the 80km MTB extreme race, finishing in two hours, 58 minutes and 40 seconds.

The Team Ford Prime mountain bike rider was followed by Cronje Beukes, who finished second in 3:02:07, and Josua Wagner, in 3:08:07.

“This is probably my third HCT, but the last one I did was about 10 years ago,” Buys said.

“The event usually clashes with other events we do, but my calendar looked a little different this year, so I remembered the race and its good coverage and came here.

“I am happy with the win, this is all part of a training block for me.

“On Saturday, I competed in a big 150km race in Gauteng, then got onto the plane and came here for the HCT.

“So I was a little tired when I awoke this morning.

“The course was fun. I remembered the trails and they were fun.

“It’s something to look forward to, but you have to work hard to get up there and truly enjoy all of the trails.

“That’s why I got a gap. I enjoyed the steep trails and the slight drizzle made them more grippy.

“It was amazing, I believe the soil here absorbed the rain well. It’s not muddy where you get stuck, you actually get more grip.”

Nelson Mandela Bay’s elite female cyclist Van Schoor was the first female to cross the finish line in 3:30:05.

She was followed by Karlise Scheepers in 3:58:33, and the third finisher was Nicola Clayton, 4:28:43.

Van Schoor, 24, aims to win the Ultimate Quest, which is the fastest combined time for the 106km Classic and 80km Mountain Bike Extreme.

“I am really happy with the win because the last time I did the 80km MTB Extreme, I finished in second, so winning today is pretty cool.

“The ultimate quest is going to be very interesting because I went pretty hard today, so my legs are feeling quite sore, but hopefully I can recover in time for the road race,” Van Schoor said.

Sarah Baartman District Municipality mayor Deon de Vos expressed pride in being a part of the event as it celebrated its 40th anniversary.

“This is our third year contributing to the success of this event, and we believe that sports tourism is an important component of tourism in our areas.

“This event provides us with an opportunity to promote our region and the beauty of our district to attract more tourists.

“We are the top tourism destination in the Eastern Cape.

“Sport can bring together young people, and this event caters to them with various categories for entry.

“This makes us proud to be a part of the event and able to contribute to it,” De Vos said.

The 60km winners were:

Men: 1 Gabriel Tomsett 2:08:15, 2 Leon de Kock 2:08:17, 3 Travis Anderson 2:08:54

Women: 1 Ashleigh Schroeter 2:23:14, 2 Gail Willimott 2:25:19, 3 Olivia Read 2:27:32.

Gqeberha's Kelsey van Schoor will tackle the Herald Cycle Tour mountain bike race in Addo on Sunday. Photo: Richard Pearce

A host of elite mountain bikers will line up in Addo on a mission to conquer the Ultimate Quest at the 40th milestone edition of The Herald Cycle Tour, made possible by Telkom, on Sunday.

Among the leading competitors in the women’s category is Gqeberha’s Kelsey van Schoor, who aims to achieve the fastest combined times for the 80km Mountain Bike Extreme and next weekend’s 106km Classic to win the Ultimate Quest.

The 24-year-old will start her pursuit of the 80km event at the Addo Polo Club on Sunday.

“The Herald Cycle Tour is always a highlight,” Van Schoor said.

“There’s a bit more pressure to perform well at a home event than an event elsewhere, but being surrounded by people I know makes me dig deeper.

“There’s just something special about the event atmosphere in the Eastern Cape.

“Addo can get very hot, so I have been doing some rides midday in the heat to get familiar with the climate.

“I was also able to go and do a route recon this past weekend to familiarise myself with the awesome trails.

“The single track this year looks absolutely amazing, and it’s going to be fun on race day.

“Sunday’s race will be my first outdoor event of the season.”

For the first time, the MTB routes will run anti-clockwise.

When asked how this reversal affected her strategy for the Zuurberg range climbs, Van Schoor responded, “I think it’s a positive change.

“This year’s route has a bit of everything — open gravel roads, hard, compact single track, and some rocky trails.

“I love it, and I think it’s a very entertaining route that everyone else will love too.”

Van Schoor came in second in the 106km Classic in 2025 and when asked how she planned to balance her intensity on Sunday in Addo to keep her road legs for the 106km Classic next weekend, she replied: “I’m taking each race as a separate challenge, and I won’t think during the MTB race about how my legs will feel for the road.

“Because there is more opportunity to make up time in the MTB race than in the 106km road Classic. Both are going to be tough events.”

Sunday’s programme will include a 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure, 5km Family Ride and 500m Junior race.

The Herald marketing manager Berna Ulay-Walters said the team had worked hard in the last eight months in preparation for the event.

“As we draw closer to race day, we look forward to having families locally and from afar experience the excitement of the race with this year’s mountain bike routes tackled in reverse to challenge even the most seasoned riders.

“Spectators can look forward to a fun-filled family race village outdoor setup — with pop-up food stalls and farmers’ markets, kids’ entertainment and a special pop-up family activation, compliments of our partners, Telkom.

“We’d like to encourage the whole family to come out and experience the beautiful landscapes of Addo and all that the event has to offer.”

The race village will be full of activities for the family to enjoy, like pop-up coffee and food trucks, a play park, a farmer’s market and stalls.

There will also be a pop-up activation by top-tier sponsor Telkom.

The sponsors for the event include:

Top-tier platinum sponsor: Telkom

Additional sponsors: Tshedo Impact, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Eastern Cape Motors Group; Standard Bank; Powerade; Town Lodge Hotel Group; Relay EMS, Talisman Hire & K & W; Trek and Cyclo Pro; Thule; Wayne Pheiffer; Coimbra; Goshawk; Omega Security.

Powerade is proud to once again support The Herald Cycle Tour, as official hydration partners of both the MTB and road race events. Reach for a Dream Foundation’s regional manager Eastern Cape and Garden Route, Lwanele Mpeta, and event crew member Sarah Duffield keeping the riders race-ready and refreshed at last year's event. Photo: Richard Pearce

The 40th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour is around the corner, with cyclists gearing up for this much-anticipated milestone race.

The mountain bike races are set to take place on Sunday February 8 at the Addo Polo Club in Addo, and the road races will be contested over the weekend of Saturday February 14 and Sunday February 15 from Pollok Beach in Gqeberha.

As the official hydration sponsor of this year’s The Herald Cycle Tour, Coca-Cola Beverages SA (CCBSA) will again provide refreshment stations at the mountain bike and road races in the various categories cyclists will participate in over the upcoming race weekends.

CCBSA special events co-ordinator Brendon Prince said CCBSA is proud to be a long-standing partner of The Herald Cycle Tour because it is an iconic event that embodies community participation and an active lifestyle.

“The Herald Cycle Tour brings together thousands of riders of all abilities, from seasoned cyclists to families and first-time participants, and that inclusivity strongly resonates with our brand,’ Prince said.

“As a long-standing partner, we value the opportunity to support an event that inspires people to push their limits, stay active, and celebrate achievement.”

This year, CCBSA will stock all the refreshment stations at both races with Powerade, Coca-Cola, and bottled water.

Powerade and water will also be handed out to each rider at the finish lines of the races.

CCBSA products will be available at the two race villages through vendors at the family picnic zones, tents, beer gardens and the VIP lounge at the road races.

“For Powerade, this partnership goes well beyond just hydration. The Herald Cycle Tour is about getting people moving, challenging themselves, and being part of something bigger.

“By backing events like this, we’re helping to create more opportunities for people to be active. That’s how we see our role: not just hydrating performance on the day but encouraging a more active lifestyle overall,” Prince said.

The 40th milestone edition of The Herald Cycle Tour will be a celebratory event with enhanced family experiences at the Race Village, including family tents, a beer garden, a children’s play park, on-stage live entertainment and VIP lounges.

This year’s race event also has the largest prize money up for grabs — a massive R650,000 — which is the biggest winners’ pot in the history of The Herald Cycle Tour.

“It is incredibly special to be part of an event with such a rich history in South African sport,” Prince said.

“As the tour evolves, our focus will continue to be on finding new ways to support riders both on and off the bike.

“We see our role as helping to build connections, celebrate participation, and support an active lifestyle all year round.

“What we’re most excited about is celebrating the people who have made the event what it is, including the riders, volunteers, families, and communities who’ve shown up every year.

“Reaching 40 years is a huge milestone, and we’re proud to be part of that journey and to help make this edition one to remember.”

Race distances include the 80km Extreme, 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure, 5km Family Ride and 500m Junior Race at the Mountain Bike event. For the Road Race event, the distances are 106km Classic, 55km Pursuit and the 2km and 500m Junior Races.

“Cycling is as much about smart pacing as it is about pushing hard, and that’s where the idea that ‘pausing is power’ really comes to life.

“We want riders to know that taking a moment to pause, catch their breath, and hydrate properly can make a huge difference to how they feel and perform throughout the ride.

“In our weather conditions, where the heat can be a real factor, listening to your body and hydrating at the right time is critical. It’s not about stopping your momentum; it’s about fuelling yourself to go further and finish strong,” Prince said.

Online entries have already closed; however, late charity entries will be available for both races on February 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14.

For more information, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za or contact The Herald Marketing Manager on ulayb@theherald.co.za

The Herald welcomes Telkom as the returning official platinum sponsor of The Herald Cycle Tour as the event approaches its landmark 40th edition. Photo: Richard Pearce

Excitement is building for the 40th milestone edition of The Herald Cycle Tour, made possible by Telkom.

The prize-money for the 2026 The Herald Cycle Tour, which takes place next month, is R650,000, the largest amount ever to be given away at event in celebration of 40 years of cycling in the region.

The mountain bike races will take place on February 8 at the Addo Polo Club in Addo, and the road races will be contested over the weekend of February 14-15 from Pollok Beach.

Telkom is Africa’s largest integrated communications company, providing communications solutions to a vast range of customers.

In support of community and connection, Telkom is the platinum sponsor of The Herald Cycle Tour 2026 after also supporting the event in 2025.

“As a trusted technology partner to millions of South Africans, Telkom is proud to stand behind an event that has become synonymous with endurance, excellence and community spirit in Gqeberha and the wider Eastern Cape region,” Telkom senior manager (sponsorship & PR) Kgomotso Zimase said.

“Our support of The Herald Cycle Tour aligns with our commitment to enabling better lives through connectivity by backing platforms that inspire healthier lifestyles, bring people together and contribute to inclusive regional growth.”

As a leading technology service provider, Telkom is well-positioned to foster The Herald Cycle Tour’s values of promoting health and wellness through sport.

“Last year we spoke about our commitment to connections, and in 2026 we are taking this a step further by creating on‑route and race village touchpoints that keep riders and spectators informed, entertained and connected on the day,“ Zimase said.

“From showcasing smart connectivity solutions to powering digital information hubs and live race updates, Telkom is using technology to turn the themes of perseverance and resilience into real, shared experiences for families, clubs and communities who attend the event.”

This year even more development riders will be invited to participate in the races, and beneficiary organisations supported by the 2026 The Herald Cycle Tour include uThando Youth Cycle Academy, Bayethe Multi Sport Academy, Reach for a Dream and the Smile Foundation.

Speaking about community and connectivity, Zimase said: “Building and connecting communities sits at the heart of both Telkom and The Herald Cycle Tour, which is why we are intentional about ensuring the benefits of this event extend beyond race day.

“Through our support of local development academies and youth‑focused beneficiaries, as well as improved access to information and digital platforms, Telkom aims to help create opportunities for young people to participate, learn and thrive in an increasingly connected world.”

The 40th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour will also mean an enhanced family experience at the race village, with family tents, a beer garden, children’s playpark, on-stage live entertainment and VIP lounges.

“As The Herald Cycle Tour celebrates its 40th milestone, Telkom is excited to help elevate the overall rider and spectator experience with smarter connectivity, richer engagement and even stronger community impact,” Zimase said.

“Looking ahead, we see this partnership continuing to grow as a showcase of how technology, sport and community can work together to create a legacy event that Eastern Cape residents can be proud of for decades to come.”

Race distances include the 80km Extreme, 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure, 5km Family Ride and 500m Junior Race at the mountain bike event.

For the road race event, the distances are 106km Classic, 55km Pursuit and the 2km and 500m Junior Races.

For more information, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za.

Online entries close at 10am on Monday February 2.

The Relay EMS team look forward to supporting the 40th milestone edition of The Herald Cycle Tour next month and providing top-notch medical services to all riders tackling the MTB and road race events. Photo: Richard Pearce

While cyclists are gearing up for The Herald Cycle Tour 2026, to be hosted in less than a month, organisers and specialist teams are hard at work to make this 40th edition of the tour one to remember.

The mountain bike races will take place on Sunday February 8 at the Addo Polo Club in Addo, and the road races will be held over the weekend of Saturday February 14 and Sunday February 15 from Pollok Beach in Gqeberha.

Entries are still open for the most scenic and well-organised cycle tour in the country, and participating cyclists and spectators can expect an exceptional race event celebrating four decades of cycling in the region.

Relay EMS has been the official medical service partner for The Herald Cycle Tour since 2020, providing top-tier emergency medical care for participants and spectators on the routes and hosting a fully equipped medical centre at the finish lines on both weekends.

Relay EMS special medical services sales and marketing representative Craig Hamilton said the company valued the long-standing partnership with the event and looked forward to celebrating the milestone 40th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour.

“We look forward to continue providing support for cycling safety and participant wellbeing with our partnership, and ensure that we adapt and evolve our medical services to meet the growing demands and scale of the event,” Hamilton said.

Ensuring a safe environment for participants, officials, and spectators included deploying ambulances for the lead races and at strategic points along the routes; sweeper ambulances to confirm no cyclists were left on the routes; and motorbikes and response vehicles provided as needed, with medical personnel stationed at the finish lines.

Hamilton said Relay EMS’s proven life-saving capability at previous races also meant reviewing statistics and incident data from previous years to identify potential high-risk areas along the routes.

“The analysis of these high-risk sections guides our medical resource deployment and allows for rapid access in areas where ambulances may be delayed.

“This ensures a medic is quickly available on scene should an incident occur,” he said.

Central co-ordination will take place from the venue operations centre on race day, for optimal rapid response and rider safety.

In addition to the emergency medical care, sponsored water points will be provided during the race weekends, staffed by Relay EMS non-operational team members.

For more information about The Herald Cycle Tour 2026 and to enter, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za.

Online entries close on Monday February 2.

PREMIUM RIDE: Unathi Maqalekane, Standard Bank Provincial Head of Client Coverage, Personal and Private Banking, Eastern Cape gears up for the 40th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour while highlighting the TREK Top Fuel 5, valued at R55,000 - the premium ride one lucky Standard Bank participant could take home. Photo: WERNER HILLS

The Herald Cycle Tour celebrates its 40th edition in 2026, with Standard Bank coming on board as Silver Sponsor for what will be the event’s largest and most ambitious yet.

The prize purse for competitive riders is a massive R650 000, the biggest amount to ever be given away at The Herald Cycle Tour in celebration of 40 years of cycling in the Eastern Cape.

The 2026 Herald Cycle Tour will include an enhanced family experience at the Race Village, featuring family tents, a beer garden, a children’s playpark, on-stage live entertainment, and VIP lounges.

Standard Bank provincial head of client coverage, personal and private banking in the Eastern Cape, Unathi Maqalekane, said sporting events of this nature offer invaluable opportunities for individual participants in terms of personal growth, building self-esteem and fostering a sense of community within the province.

“As Standard Bank Eastern Cape, we see our involvement as an opportunity to not only sustain the event’s legacy but also propel it to greater success,” Maqalekane said.

“I look forward to seeing the event bringing together communities and families whilst stimulating economic growth, enabling us to fulfil our purpose as a bank: ‘Africa is our home; we drive her growth’.”

Standard Bank looks forward to sharing the milestone cycling event with clients and their supporters, focusing on quality entertainment, engaging activations, and top-tier food and drinks synonymous with the Eastern Cape, as part of the Standard Bank VIP hospitality experience.

“When planning the VIP experience, I ensure that we as a team create truly unforgettable moments that exceed our clients’ expectations.

“This is also our chance to strengthen relationships with our clients by enriching their experiences and enhancing their lives. In this way, we as Standard Bank become their dedicated partner in growth as more than a bank,” Maqalekane said.

In addition, riders can become eligible for a lucky draw to win a 2025 TREK Top Fuel 5 (Matte Mercury) bicycle valued at R55 000, specifically for Standard Bank Mountain Bike and Road Race participants.

“So, if you are a client, you may just be on the receiving end of a next-level prize,” Maqalekane said.

The mountain bike races will take place on Sunday February 8 at the Addo Polo Club, and the road races will be held over the weekend of Saturday February 14 and Sunday February 15 from Pollok Beach.

For more information and to enter, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za. Online entries close on Monday February 2.