WITH just two weeks to go until the official closing date for The Herald Continental Cycle Tour 2019, professional riders have been putting in the km’s for a possible shot at a podium position. 

On Sunday, February 24 the 106km Coastal Classic will start at 06:00, and the 55km Pursuit at 08:00. The two highly contested races are preceded by the Team Relay Challenge and Junior Cycle Tour races, on Saturday, February 23. All the road races start or finish at the action-packed Race Village at Pollok Beach in Port Elizabeth. 

For Team Alfa Bodyworks-Giants, the goal for this year’s 106km Coastal Classic is simple: “We want to win it!” said team manager Hannes van der Walt. The Alfa Bodyworks-Giants team members are Bernard Esterhuizen, Brandon Christians, Chris Cronje, HB Kruger, Byron Munton and Rianhardt Marais.  

“The guys did lots of base miles over December and January with lots of track racing in December for some speed work. We did the Western Cape road champs in January over 147km. Most of the guys have their own personal trainers and everybody will be sharp and ready by February,” said Van der Walt. 

Another professional team to look out for, who will be competing in The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s Coastal Classic for the first time, is ProTouch Continental, with team members Reynard Butler, Mitchell Eliot, Myles Van Musschenbroek, Pieter Seyffert, Callum Ormiston, Ryan Terry, and Qhawe Mdluli. The team has been training hard throughout the off season, aiming to get podium results.  

Defending women’s champion in the 106km Coastal Classic, Maroesjka Matthee from Team Ciovita, said event organisers make the elite riders feel at home every year. “They manage the event exceptionally well, and I, along with my team, really appreciate that. Other than hospitality, I will always support the event since the women have a ladies-only start and equal prize money. Another huge factor is the support we get from spectators, especially in the final sprint,” said Matthee. 

The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s Mountain Bike Challenge takes place on Sunday, February 17 at the Addo Polo Club in Addo.  

Last year’s 80km Extreme winner in the men’s category was professional cyclist Gert Heyns, riding for Team DSV, who wishes to win again in 2019. “I enjoy racing The Herald because it is one of the biggest events of the early racing season. To have three victories to my name would be really special. I will also have my team mate, Arno du Toit, with me this year. We now have two chances at victory for the team and I am sure having two riders that could go for the top step will count in our favour,” said Heyns. 

The 80km Extreme defending champion in the women’s category is Yolande de Villiers riding for her new team: Team Altes Landhaus powered by Mad Macs Kawasaki. “I love racing in the beautiful Eastern Cape. The trails are superb, and the people are friendly. The cycle tour is a festival of cycling and caters for the whole family. It has got a fantastic vibe. The Herald Continental Cycle Tour is fun-filled, action-packed event for the whole family to celebrate health and fitness with like-minded people,” said De Villiers. 

Other mountain bike challenges taking place on Sunday, February 17 include a 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure and 5km Kiddies Race, as well as a 500m Toddler Dash that will all form part of the fun on the day.

Race entries close at midnight on 27 January. For more information or to enter, visit The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s website at www.heraldcycletour.co.za/

DO you know a young cyclist who is eager to compete against his or her friends in a cycling race? The upcoming Powerade Junior Races, forming part of The Herald Continental Cycle Tour, offers the perfect opportunity for junior cyclist to find their ‘cycling legs’ as part of a well-organised, national cycling event. 

Junior cyclists of all ages will get two opportunities to build their confidence on their bikes by competing in The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s Junior Races: firstly, in the Mountain Bike event at the Addo Polo Club on Sunday, 17 February in a 5km or 500m race and secondly, in the Road Race event at Pollok Beach on Saturday, 23 February in a 2km or 500m race. 

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) was proud to be associated with the junior race, said CCBSA spokesperson Nolundi Mzimba. 

“We are glad to be part of this successful cycling event and we have seen a lot more people participate over the years and improve their lifestyles through sport and physical activity. We believe it is important to be involved in events in the communities where we operate. For us it is also about encouraging young people to be active and to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Mzimba. 

All Cycle Tour Junior Race entry proceeds will be donated towards The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s long-standing beneficiary of 11 years, The Reach For A Dream Foundation. 

“Reach For A Dream is a great initiative which encourages children to use their dreams to fight against terminal diseases. It is important for us to be involved in activities where proceeds are used to make dreams come true and we enjoy giving back to the community,” said Mzimba. 

The Reach For A Dream Foundation Branch Manager: Port Elizabeth, Michelle Van Huyssteen, said the proceeds from the Powerade Junior Races are used to fulfil the dreams of children who face life-threatening illnesses. 

Proceeds from The Herald Continental Cycle Tour 2018 fulfilled the dreams of seven children, of whom some of the brave children received the pink, red and blue bicycles they had been dreaming of.   

“Help us make more special dreams come true in 2019 by entering children in the Cycle Tour Junior Races in Port Elizabeth and Addo or making online donations to Reach For A Dream when you register for any of the Herald Continental Cycle Tour Races,” said Van Huyssteen. 

The entry fee for the Junior Races Mountain Bike 5km race is R60 and for the 500m race it is R30. Cost for the Junior Races Road Race 2km is R60 and participation in the 500m race is R30.

Collection of race packs for the Junior Races of the Mountain Bike event will take place on: 

·         Friday, February 15: 09:00 – 19:00, Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth

·         Saturday, February 16: 09:00 – 13:00, Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth

·         Saturday, February 16: 18:00 – 19:00, Addo Polo Club, Addo

Collection of race packs for the Junior Races of the Road Race event will take place on:

·         Friday, February 22: 09:00 – 19:00, Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth

·         Saturday, February 23: 09:00 – 10:00 Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth

For more information or to enter any of the Cycle Tour Junior Races, visit The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s website at https://heraldcycletour.co.za/

Port Elizabeth’s countdown is on for one of the most breathtakingly scenic and superbly organised cycling events on the calendar. In fact, elite cyclists are calling the Herald Continental Cycle Tour the ‘race of the year’. 

It’s almost impossible not to be caught up in the euphoria of a race that winds through Port Elizabeth, bursts into lush farmlands, streams through small coastal villages, and hugs the spectacular coastline on the way to the finish. All the while, riders can lean into the peace of mind provided by the road closures as well as the 80 plus traffic officials, 105 marshals and teams of medics on duty. 

The camaraderie of the race is heightened by the warm-heartedness of the local community as well as the festivity of the Race Village. Riders can look forward to a day of wholesome fun for the entire family with everything from face painting and play parks for the kids to food trucks, a coffee bar, a beer garden and live entertainment. 

It is a race not to be missed, so let’s get you there in style. The Herald Continental Cycle Tour has created a travel package for Gauteng cyclists that includes everything from your road race entry and your return flights with Kulula to glorious food and accommodation at the sublime Radisson Blu Hotel, which is conveniently situated across from the Race Village. 

In just one hour and 40 minutes, Kulula will take you from the bustle of Joburg to the bliss of Port Elizabeth – a journey that seems even shorter when you take advantage of their added extras such as their Q-Jump and ‘Very-Important-Bag status’. 

The Herald Continental Cycle Tour travel package also includes car hire so you can whisk yourself straight to the Radisson Blu Hotel, where attentive staff, your Cycle Tour Hospitality Lounge pass and your Cycle Tour T-shirt will be waiting for you. That, and the most exquisite panoramic sea views you could imagine. 

Your two night stay at the five-star hotel includes dinner, bed and breakfast, as well as an Amani Spa voucher to help soothe your tired body after a race well cycled. Not only is this hotel 300 meters from beautiful Blue Flag beaches,  the spread of well-deserved R & R options the Sunshine Coast has to offer stretch far further than perfect beaches for strolling, splashing, surfing and lazing.  

Port Elizabeth is the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World, and a visit to the Friendly City is not quite complete without experiencing the sheer joy of watching these beautiful and charismatic creatures. 

Port Elizabeth is also home to the largest breeding colony of African penguins in the world, and just one hour's drive from the malaria free Addo Elephant National Park, where you can see the Big 7 (that’s the Big 5 as well as the Southern Right Whale and the Great White Shark).

For the Herald Continental Cycle Tour travel package bookings and race entries, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za or contact 041 504 7911 for more information.  

Entries close 27 January 2019 at midnight. 

DATES

Sunday, 24 February 2019

Start/Finish: Race Village, Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth

06h00 106km Classic

08h00 55km Pursuit

Two different riders, two distinct routes, one unified team … The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s newest addition to the event is proving irresistible for riders of all levels and all ages. 

Combining one rider’s love for road racing, another’s love for the off-road, and everyone’s love for nature at its breath-taking best, the Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s Team Relay Challenge is a race with a difference.  

This scenic 2-leg race along Nelson Mandela Bay’s beachfront is a 23km road race along Marine Drive and a 15km mountain bike relay through Nelson Mandela University’s Nature Reserve. 

Now in its third year, the Team Relay Challenge is becoming ultra-popular amongst friends, couples, families, and workmates who challenge each other (and themselves) with one team member racing the road route and the other the mountain bike route.  

While it can be as competitive as you make it, the relay event is one that clearly pulses with camaraderie, teambuilding, and friendly rivalry, and is truly a race for all ages and fitness levels. In fact, the friendly rivalry is already playing out at The Herald’s HQ as some of the staff are starting to egg each other on in preparation for their own inter-departmental challenges. 

As a competitor in the Team Relay Challenge, you can expect all the incredible support, organisation, safety, and post-race entertainment The Herald Continental Cycle Tour has to offer. The event is, after all, South Africa’s 2nd oldest cycling classic. 

The festive Race Village at Pollok Beach has everything for everyone. Face painting and food trucks, balloon art and local DJs, play parks and live entertainment, coffee bars and beer gardens. And, being the city that embodies the spirit of Nelson Mandela, warm hearted people everywhere. 

Of course there are the prizes too. The top 3 Team Relay finishers get to ride off with a pocketful of cash – R5,000 for first position, R3,000 for second position and R1,000 for third position. The proceeds generated from the Team Relay Challenge will also be allocated towards one of The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s beneficiaries. 

If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to connect with your city, to connect with the people in your city, to be healthy and happy, to find a new love for the sport, to ‘get your social on’, this is your day. 

DATES

Saturday, 23 February 2019

Start/Finish: Race Village, Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth

07h00 38km Team Relay (23km Road + 15km Mountain Bike)

Prize Giving: 10h45 

Enter on www.heraldcycletour.co.za. Entries close 27 January 2019 at midnight.

The rolling ocean, the abundance of nature, the beautiful city of Port Elizabeth all to yourself, the intoxicating spirit of true camaraderie, smiling faces and clapping crowds … it’s no wonder why riders believe this is the new benchmark in South African road cycling races.  

Palpably euphoric, the road race route winds through Port Elizabeth, the city that embodies the spirit of Nelson Mandela, it bursts into lush farmlands, streams through small coastal villages, and hugs the spectacular coastline on the way to the finish. It is not uncommon to make lifelong friends, or to be accompanied for a while by PE’s local school of dolphins. 

What makes this deeply rewarding ride even better is the superb organisation and safety of the event. The Herald Continental Cycle Tour is one of the few races in SA that still offers road closure on race days. The over 80 traffic officials, 105 marshals and teams of medics are all on duty to ensure riders are safe and secure come race day.  

Every year, without fail, the Herald Continental Cycle Tour inspires enthusiastic comments from the riders. Aidan van Niekerk says, ‘Race of the year goes to The Herald Continental Cycle Tour.’ BCX’s Team Manager Malcolm Lange says it’s ‘the best road race on the calendar for elite riders.’ And Deirdre Burger loved everything about it. ‘We loved the atmosphere, the route, the friendliness, and the wind behind us on the way home. Thank you and well done! You made PE proud!’  

But you don’t need to be a pro to enjoy South Africa’s 2nd oldest cycling classic. Whether you’re in the saddle to race or for fun, whether you’re going to be chasing or relaxing, whether you’re on the 106km Coastal Classic or the 55km Pursuit, this balanced road route is yours to race exactly the way you want to.  

The Herald Continental Cycle Tour really is an event that could make an entire family happy. The beachfront Race Village is a delight with everything from face painting and play parks for the kids to food trucks, a coffee bar, a beer garden and live entertainment. The ever-popular Cycle Tour Lounge even includes VIP parking and lunch with the pros. 

And as a visitor to the Sunshine Coast, there’s an endless amount of fun to be had. There are stretches and stretches of pristine beaches for walking, surfing, bathing, dolphin watching and whale spotting. There are Big 5 game reserves, ocean tours, penguin colonies … all on our doorstep. So why not make a holiday of it? 

DATES:

Sunday, 24 February 2019

Start/Finish: Race Village, Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth

06h00 106km Coastal Classic

08h00 55km Pursuit 

Enter on www.heraldcycletour.co.za. Entries close 27 January 2019 at midnight.

THE Eastern Cape Motor Group (ECMG) is excited to again drive The Herald Continental Cycle Tour forward as the official vehicle supporter. 

ECMG will support the Cycle Tour – taking place in February next year - with a fleet of 22 Ford vehicles to assist with the efficient running of all the race events. 

ECMG has been involved with the Cycle Tour for three years and ECMG Director Stephen Theodosiou said his team was looking forward to another fantastic Cycle Tour. 

“We support The Herald Continental Cycle Tour because it is a world-class event and it belongs to Port Elizabeth, the ‘Jewel of Southern Africa’. The race is available to all levels of cyclists across South Africa and beyond: from pros to weekenders, on-road to mountain-bikers, men, women and youngsters. It is an ideal event for the Eastern Cape Motor Group to support and be involved in,” Theodosiou said. 

The ECMG branded vehicles will be used prior to the Cycle Tour to advertise the race events, as well as marking the route, setting out barricades and doing other pre-race checks on the days leading up to the race events.

On race day it will be used as road lead vehicles, sweep vehicles, transporting course co-ordinators, judges, media and registration staff, as well as taking water and drinks to the different waterpoints. The Ford Mustang will take place in front of the peloton leading the best of South African cycling talent.  

The models of Ford vehicles that will be used for The Herald Continental Cycle Tour include the go-anywhere Ranger 4x4 Double Cab, the spacious Everest, the new Ecosport, Fiesta and the new Figo. 

“The cycling fraternity has been very rapid in recognising Eastern Cape Motor’s support of the Cycle Tour and that the Ford range has many vehicles suited to their active outdoor lifestyles and family activities. Our staff look forward to not only participate in the various cycling events, but also the great camaraderie and fun associated with the race events. The 2019 Herald Continental Cycle Tour is sure to be even bigger and better,” Theodosiou said. 

The mountain bike race takes place on Sunday, February 17 at Addo. The 106km Coastal Classic and 55km Pursuit races take place on Sunday, February 24 in Port Elizabeth. The two highly contested road races are preceded by the Team Relay Challenge and Junior Cycle tour races, taking place on Saturday, February 23 – also in Port Elizabeth. 

All entries close at midnight on Sunday, 27 January 2019. Event information and registration is available on The Herald Continental Cycle Tour website at www.heraldcycletour.co.za