FOLLOWING a successful Herald Continental Cycle Tour this year, Eastern Cape Motors is looking forward to assisting again as the event’s official vehicle partner.

With Eastern Cape Motors providing transport for The Herald Continental Cycle Tour the organising crew and officials will be driven around in style.

The company will be assisting with the lead and sweep vehicles, and transporting registration and sweep staff, the course co-ordinator, course marking, technical and media crew. They will be driving around in some of Ford’s finest cars, which include Fiestas, the rugged Ranger, Everest, the trendy Tourneau Bus and probably some Figos, too.

As second-time partners, Eastern Cape Motors has a long history of supporting key sporting events in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Port Elizabeth has been Ford Country since 1924, with the first assembly line in Africa opening to produce the famous Model T Ford. 

The Ford Engine Plant opened in Port Elizabeth in 1964 and currently produces engines for 148 countries, globally.

“Both Ford and Eastern Cape Motors are extremely proud of our beautiful city, Port Elizabeth,” ECM Dealer director Stephen Theodosiou said.

“We believe Port Elizabeth is the Jewell of Southern Africa, which has so much to offer, both to its citizens and tourists who visit the Eastern Cape.

“The Herald [Continental] Cycle Tour is a world class event, which is available to all levels of cyclists across South Africa and beyond – from the pros to weekenders, on road to mountain bike and recently, the corporate teams. So being a part of the HCT [Herald Continental Cycle Tour] as vehicle sponsors is not only a privilege, but our teams also have fun in assisting and participating,” he said.

Ford has a fantastic range of really impressive vehicles across all segments of the market.

Vehicles like the hugely successful Ford Ranger and the new Everest are ideally suited to cater for all people with outdoor aspirations. “Eastern Cape Motors is really looking forward to a ‘funtastic’ 2018 Herald Continental Cycle Tour. Come and feel the energy!” Theodosiou said.

The MTB [Mountain Bike] races take place on February 18 at the Addo Polo Club -- the 80km Extreme starting at 6am, and the 60km Adventure at 6.15am.

Riders for the Corporate Team Challenge will need to be at the start line at 7am on February 24 at Pollok Beach.

CALLING all cyclists, it is time to start getting pumped up! The ever-popular Herald Continental Cycle Tour is back on track and ready to hit the road again in February.

For those who prefer the magnificent free flowing trails in Addo, the mountain bike races (80km Extreme, 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure and 500m/5km Powerade Kiddies Ride) will take place on February 18 at the Addo Polo Club.

The competitive corporate teams can settle their score by entering the Corporate Team Challenge (23km road and 15km MTB relay) on February 24. For the little ones, there are the fun 2km and 500m Powerade Kiddies Rides.

The traditional, scenic road races (106km Classic and 55km Pursuit) take place on February 25 at Pollok Beach.

"It is hard to believe that it has been a year since Continental Tyre started its partnership with The Herald, supporting the Herald Continental Cycle Tour" said Shaun Uys, Managing Director of CTSA

"We hope to grow this event even further next year, and have some exciting new plans in store for the cycling community come February 2018. You can also expect to see a challenge to all the local Corporates to join the Corporate Relay Challenge on the 24th Feb - CTSA will be a strong force in the upcoming event" he said

"Not only is The Herald Continental Cycle Tour a great platform to showcase our leading technology in passenger car and bicycle tyres, but is also a way for us to encourage a healthy lifestyle using the example that the cycling community sets". says Uys

"Continental Tyre has been a part of the Port Elizabeth landscape for 70 years and we are proud to be associated with an iconic event that promotes not only the sport, but the beauty of our bay." he concluded.

The event will once again present a family race village for riders and spectators to enjoy, which includes popular food trucks, a beer garden, live entertainment, a Cycle Tour hospitality lounge and a bigger and better kiddies play park.

The event will host South Africa’s top riders and teams in the country, such as Port Elizabeth star Anriette Schoeman, team BCX, which includes defending champion Nolan Hoffman, Team Giant and Bestmed ASG Ladies.

The Herald and Weekend Post editor Brett Horner said: “This year’s event promises to raise the bar even higher after last year’s highly successful races, which saw an enlarged race village, the highest number of professional teams ever to take part and the biggest field across both weekends.

“All our sponsors are back on board and together with our headline partner, Continental Tyre SA, we are planning some unique and exciting launch events as we get closer to race day.

“Our commitment to stage the best cycle race in the country is stronger than ever and all indications at this stage are that the 2018 Cycle Tour will deliver on that promise. Get your entries in early, it’s one you won’t want to miss,” he said.

The sponsors, who are back on board once again for next year, are Continental Tyre SA, Powerade, Eastern Cape Motors, Thule, Scott Sports, Bukani and the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Race packs can be collected at Pollok Beach from 9am until 7pm on February 16, and on February 17 from 9am until 1pm. And then on February 23 from 9am until 7pm and from 9am until 1pm on February 24.

Entries close on the January 28 at midnight. Online entries only. No manual entries will be accepted.