Not even the heat of the Addo sun was enough to deter riders as they tackled another successful The Herald Continental Cycle Tour Mountain Bike Challenge on Sunday.

More than 1,300 riders were in the starting lineup at the Addo Polo Club and hordes of fans were waiting at the finish. With temperatures hovering in the high 20s for most of the morning, riders nevertheless had few problems navigating the tough, technical course laid out around the Addo area.

The men’s 80km extreme race was won by Cycle Tour debutant Arno du Toit, while Yolande de Villiers made it two wins in as many years for the wo m e n ’s section. The Oudtshoorn resident said conditions in Addo mimicked that of her hometown and thus did not play a major role in her performance.

“I must say this event keeps getting better each year, from registration all the way to the set-up, the accommodation – everything was just perfect from a racer’s point of view, and I am certainly looking forward to returning next year.” Du Toit shared similar sentiments, saying he had a lot of fun out on the course, especially through the more challenging sections like the Zuurberg Pass . “I hope to be back next year, having more fun, and to defend my title.”

Continental Tyre events manager David van der Merwe said the event was well attended and even better in an organisational sense. “It might have been hot and dusty out there, but judging from the feedback we got, the riders enjoyed themselves.” He said he believed the race now had a place among some of the biggest MTB races in the co u n t r y.

The Herald and Weekend Post chief marketing officer Justin Peel said the 2019 field was the largest ever in the history of the race. “This race is not only about the elite racers, but from the 500m kiddies race, all the way up, what we are aiming for is to see a smile on their faces as they cross the finish line. “It’s not about the win or the time for everybody, but rather for the adventure and experience that comes along with it,” Peel said.

EXCITEMENT is mounting with just one week to go until the official closing date of the 34th annual The Herald Continental Cycle Tour. 

Cyclists of all ages and levels of fitness are encouraged to enter the Mountain Bike Race taking place on 17 February at the Addo Polo Club, followed by a weekend of road racing on 23 and 24 February in Port Elizabeth. 

Make a day out of the much-anticipated race events by bringing the entire family to the respective race villages, which promise to be a hive of activity and fun during the two epic cycling weekends

The Mountain Bike Race Village will showcase the Sundays River Valley’s rich country hospitality with a traditional farmer’s market. Expect great local food, plenty of entertainment and an opportunity for the city kids to go on tractor rides and horse rides. 

The Race Village at Pollok Beach, which will be up and running for the road races on 23 and 24 February, will offer a unique experience to cyclists, spectators and supporters. 

This year’s Race Village will again include the Cycle Tour Lounge, where the races can be enjoyed in style with VIP parking, appetizing lunch and refreshments, a dedicated bar and comfortable seating.  

Other race village attractions include children’s activation zones – with jumping castles, face painting and balloon art. The Pollok Beach Race Village will also have a variety of food for sale – including several popular food trucks, a beer garden and coffee station. Live entertainment from local artists and DJs will ensure a vibey atmosphere to enjoy before, during and after the races. 

Creating a unique experience in the race villages is a key ingredient for the continued success of the cycling extravaganza, said The Herald Chief Marketing Officer Justin Peel. 

“The race villages will once again offer great entertainment for children and adults alike. The phenomenal atmosphere created on race day is something to experience first-hand. So, whether you’re entering to be competitive or to simply soak up the fun atmosphere – there is something for every rider,” said Peel. 

Peel encouraged spectators and fans to come out in their numbers to support the cyclists. Several professional cyclists described the festive Nelson Mandela Bay atmosphere as nothing they have ever experienced at any other cycling event.  

Registered cyclists will be able to collect their race packs on the following dates:

MTB Race:  Friday 15 February from 09:00 – 19:00 at Pollok Beach, Summerstrand; Saturday 16 February from 09:00 – 13:00 at Pollok Beach, Summerstrand; and Saturday 16 February from 18:00 – 19:00 at Addo Polo Club, Addo.

Road Races: Friday 22 February from 09:00 – 19:00 and Saturday 23 February from 09:00 – 13:00 at Race Village, Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth.

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

As part of the 2019 edition of The Herald Continental Cycle Tour, Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) has challenged the Isuzu Southern Kings to a unique inter-team race at the Corporate Team Challenge.

The corporate event will take place on Saturday 23 February, setting off from Pollok Beach in Summerstrand with the 23km road race leg heading to The Willows Resort and back, after which the 15km mountain bike leg takes riders on a route through the Nelson Mandela University Nature Reserve.

The relay race is hotly contested amongst corporates, and 2019 is sure to be no different as it evokes true sporting competitiveness and camaraderie. In this spirit, Shaun Uys, Managing Director of CTSA, has placed a challenge to the Kings that two of their players go head-to-head with himself and his racing partner Ian Langlands, Head of Sales and Marketing for CTSA.

“This is Continental’s third year as co-sponsor of The Herald Continental Cycle Tour, and we decided to up the ante for the Corporate Team Challenge by inviting our local Isuzu Southern Kings team to compete in the 2019 event,” Uys says. “It will be fantastic to have them participating in the Cycle Tour, but no challenge would be complete without a bit of a friendly wager to spice up the rivalry.

“Accordingly, aside from the obvious bragging rights, the winning team will get to nominate a proxy of their choice to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime flip in the iconic Red Bull racing plane flown by Port Elizabeth’s world-renowned aerobatics pilot, Patrick Davidson,” Uys adds. The aerobatic display will be one of the event’s major highlights at the main prizegiving taking place on Sunday 24 February at Pollok Beach.

Having achieved a record number of entries last year, this year’s 34th edition of The Herald Continental Cycle Tour – the second oldest cycling classic in South Africa and the biggest in the Eastern Cape – is likely to be bigger and better than ever. The action commences on Sunday 17 February with the popular mountain bike race staged in Addo, featuring categories for all levels of riders. It comprises the 500m Toddlers Dash, 5km Kiddies Challenge, 30km Leisure Challenge, 60km Adventure and 80km Extreme races.

Along with the Corporate Team Challenge, Saturday 23 February also sees the hosting of the junior road race events at Pollok Beach, featuring the 500m Toddlers Dash and 2km Kiddies Challenge.

On Sunday the 24th, it’s the chance for the road racers to prove their mettle, competing in either the 55km Pursuit or the tough 106km Coastal Classic.

Entries for The Herald Continental Cycle Tour close on 27 January 2019. For more information, visit: heraldcycletour.co.za

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