IN GOOD SHAPE: The Herald Cycle Tour defending women’s champion, Hayley Preen, is ready to defend her title in the 106km classic on Sunday. Photo: Richard Pearce

Professional cyclist Hayley Preen will be gunning for a third crown when she lines up to tackle the 38th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour’s 106km classic in Gqeberha on Sunday.

The event, hosted in conjunction with the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, will feature two race distances including the flagship 106km as well as the 55km pursuit.

Both distances will also feature tandem categories alongside the 2km and 500m junior race distances with close to 1,400 riders expected to compete across the respective distances.

Preen, a two-time HCT road race champion, was in good spirits ahead of Sunday’s race, saying her preparations had gone well and she was in good shape.

But the Freewheel Cycology rider is well aware that the win will not come without its challenges, with Bay cyclist Kelsey van Schoor also looking to put in an impressive performance in what will be her first taste of the full distance race.

“I love the race, the hospitality is always good and I love the route, in particular the second half of the course,” Preen said.

“Winning in 2020, it was a big sprint at the end and was my first win in a big race, I started sprinting from about a kilometre out, which is crazy for a sprint.

“Last year, the race started quite slowly and I just wanted things to happen, so I attacked at about 15km into the race and next thing I knew I was on my own, so I just kept going.

“The gap wasn’t too big until about halfway through the course, before the climbs which worked really well for me through the smaller road sections with a lot of turns, I pushed quite hard there and then suddenly they couldn’t see me, then the gap went from 30 seconds to about three minutes.

“So looking at Sunday, it will all depend, on the day, who is in the field and it will be exciting if it is not just a sprint finish.

“I would like to do something before we get into the finish stretch, it would be great,” she said.

Meanwhile, Van Schoor, who finished in second place in the HCT Mountain Bike race in Addo last weekend, said that gave her much confidence coming into this weekend.

“I will be going for the Ultimate Quest (fastest combined times across the mountain bike and road races), so I am pretty excited about what could happen this weekend,” Van Schoor said.

Riders must have entered for the Ultimate Quest to qualify for those placings.

“I am feeling good coming into the road race, having a little bit of racing in my legs will certainly be a bonus.

“I don’t see much difference in preparations between MTB and road racing, I suppose it’s just about making sure I am used to the position I will be in on a road bike which is different to how you would be on a mountain bike, but the training itself is pretty similar,” she said.

Looking at her potential opponents, who will be tough competitors in their own right, Van Schoor, who races under the Team Customized banner said it would be quite special if she could claim a podium finish, but knows that the stacked women’s field will not make it easy to achieve.

Meanwhile, the men’s race will see Team RDX rider Theuns van der Bank return to defend the title he won in 2023.

He will face some tough competition from the likes of former champion and Team Aluwani rider Nolan Hoffman, Rogan Smart and fellow RDX teammate Neil Rossouw, among others.

Race pack collection will take place on Friday, from 2pm until 7pm and on Saturday between 9am and 1pm, both at the race village situated at Pollok Beach.

CELEBRATION TIME: Podium finishers in the women’s 80km race of The Herald Cycle Tour MTB race at the Addo Polo Club on Sunday  are, winner Robyn de Groot,  Kelsey van Schoor, left, second,  and Sabine Spitz, third. Photo: Richard Pearce

Gqeberha mountain bike rider Sidney Strydom overcame a severe bout of cramps to be crowned champion of The Herald Cycle Tour mountain bike race in searing heat at the Addo Polo Club on Sunday.

Strydom did not let the heat spoil his plans as he crossed the finish line in a time of three hours and 29 minutes, a minute and 39 seconds ahead of Venter van der Mescht in second (3:30:40) while Patrick Brown claimed the final podium spot in 3:35:26.

In the women’s race, veteran SA cyclist Robyn de Groot showed why she was one of the most decorated cyclists, as she claimed a maiden win at the 80km event with a time of 3:40:03, ahead of Kelsey van Schoor (3:44:46) in second with Sabine Spitz taking the bronze medal in 3:50:12.

Strydom said it had been an incident-filled race as he had suffered cramps, a crash and a broken shoe along the 80km course.

“Everything that could happen, did happen, except for punctures.

“I was dropped on the pass, which already felt like a loss but then on the single track I got my breath back and caught the guys one by one; I managed to open up a gap.

“I had a crash on one of the corners and broke my shoe.

“Then the cramps came. I have never cramped that much in my life but I am happy to have pulled this one off.

“It has been a bucket list race for me for a long time,” Strydom said.

Originally from Gqeberha, Strydom, who claimed a maiden win after finishing ninth in the 2022 edition, said the win was a big step up for him; he hoped it would signal the start of many more to come.

Meanwhile, De Groot, who was racing in her first HCT Mountain Bike event was pleased with her overall performance.

“I enjoyed the route which was a nice mix of everything, coming from the Garden Route where things are wet and tacky, this is dusty and rough, but it is always nice to have a change in scenery.

“[I] thoroughly enjoyed the Zuurberg Pass climbs, the Hayterdale Trails are a treat and the descent off Zuurberg was something special.”

Commenting on the MTB culture in the Eastern Cape, De Groot said she had enjoyed the few races she had done in the Eastern Cape in the past.

“That’s the beauty of MTB, you can even come here next weekend and the conditions might be different, which will make racing feel so different.

“I have done a few races here in the Eastern Cape but never The Herald, so I’m happy to finally tick that one off.”

Having retired from professional sport, the George-based cyclist said she used these events to test race pacing strategies which she then implements with the clients she coaches, but said there was a strong possibility that she would return in 2025 for another crack.

Leading results:

80km Extreme

Men: Sidney Strydom 3:29:01, Venter van der Mescht 3:30:40 and Patrick Brown 3:35:26

Women: Robyn de Groot 3:40:03, Kelsey van Schoor 3:44:46 and Sabine Spitz 3:50:12

60km Adventure

Men: Ruan Cloete 2:14:06, Josua Wagner 2:14:07 and Lundi Kakana 2:14:12 

Women: Anriette Schoeman 2:42:34, Tracey Campbell 2:43:24 and Madeleen van Zuydam 2:45:54

30km Leisure

Men: Leon de Kock 1:06:07, Liam Garrett 1:06:09 and Craig Townsend 1:07:08

Women: Mariette Hattingh 1:11:20, Leona Smit 1:20:25 and Retha van der Berg 1:20:35

GUNNING FOR GLORY: Addo will be transformed into a hive of activity when the 2024 Herald Cycle Tour Mountain bike race rolls into town on Sunday. Photo: Richard Pearce

All roads will lead to the Addo Polo Club this weekend when the 2024 Herald Cycle Tour gets under way with the famed mountain bike race taking place on Sunday.

The event will consist of three distances — the 80km Extreme, 60km Adventure and 30km Leisure races.

In addition to the 30km Tandem, there will be the 5km Kiddies event and 500m Toddler Dash, catering for riders of all ages and levels.

With more than 1,200 riders expected at the start line across the various distances, it promises to be a fun, but tough challenge for both professional and amateur cyclists.

While it is unclear whether defending men’s and women’s 80km Extreme champions Rogan Smart and Karla Stumpf will be in Addo this year, anyone with ambitions of victory will have to work hard once the chequered flag drops.

The 2024 event also sees a new sponsor, with the Sarah Baartman District Municipality coming on board.

One athlete who will be looking to leave her mark on the race is veteran SA cyclist Robyn de Groot, who will be racing at the event for the first time.

The former professional, who hails from Johannesburg, said she was excited to finally be able to put her skills to the test on the various terrains on the journey to the finish line.

“I have never raced the Herald MTB event and am really happy to finally get the timing right to come and participate this year,” she said.

De Groot, who retired from professional racing in 2022 after a career spanning nine years with a plethora of race accolades,  said what she missed most about pro racing was the thrill of pushing her body to the limit.

“I was fortunate to race bikes in so many beautiful places all over the world, and always enjoyed the variety and diversity of being outdoors and exploring life on two wheels in all kinds of geographical regions, locally and abroad.

“I am just starting to get back into participating in events since retiring.

“I needed to make that break and cut the ties from racing, so, for sure, I am looking forward to being at an event again.”

With a different approach to races, she said her aim would still be to push her body as fast as it could be on the day, balancing that with an appreciation of the surroundings.

Meanwhile, Sarah Baartman municipal manager Unathi Daniels said the event would play a crucial role in supporting the hospitality sector’s economy by generating revenue which, in turn, would create jobs and improve local economic development.

“For us, we see beyond the race,” Daniels said.

“We see the people stopping at the filling station for petrol or diesel, the people stopping at the local shops or the newly built SPAR for some necessities or treats.

“And we see the people who will stay overnight at one of our many amazing accommodation establishments.”

As part of their sponsorship agreement, the municipality will be supporting the Bayethe Multi Sport Academy EC, a nonprofit organisation run by a group of young professionals who want to stay fit and active.

They comprise a group of amateurs, professional athletes and age-group athletes, ranging from triathletes to roadrunners and trail runners.

“I think you will find that in many of our small towns people cycle daily, often not as a sport but as a form of transport,” she said.

“We do, however, hope that this event will get communities excited about the possibility of cycling as a sport.”

Besides the scenery provided by the surrounding Zuurberg mountains and citrus farms, Daniels said riders and spectators would find plenty of activities to keep them entertained away from the course.

These include the famous Addo Elephant Park, catching glimpses of the big five and other marine mammals, including the southern right whale and the great white shark.

There is also Adrenaline Addo, which offers the Superman zip line, and many local eateries.

Race pack collection will take place at Pollok Beach on Friday from 2pm to 7pm and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

They can also be collected at the Addo Polo Club on Saturday from 5pm to 6pm and on race day from 5am to 6am.

The second leg of the Cycle Tour will see riders take to the streets of Gqeberha for the 38th edition of the road race on Sunday, February 18.

Cyclists can be sure to receive the best emergency and medical care from The Herald Cycle Tour’s official medical sponsors, Relay EMS. Entries close soon – at midday on Monday, 5 February. Don’t miss out. Enter here: www.heraldcycletour.co.za

Participants will enjoy the best emergency medical care at the upcoming The Herald Cycle Tour with Relay Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an official service partner.

The experienced Eastern Cape private ambulance service has been partnering with The Herald Cycle Tour since 2020.

The Herald Cycle Tour 2024, hosted by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, takes place over two weekends with mountain bike races at the Addo Polo Club on February 11, and road races at Pollok Beach on February 17 and 18.

Relay EMS Events Co-Ordinator Julia Brits said the company is proud to again be of service to this iconic cycling event.

“We know that everyone puts in many hours of training for The Herald Cycle Tour and that the excitement is building up for race day. Our primary role on race day is to provide emergency medical support to the cyclists, spectators, staff, and volunteers working at the event. For the races to be successful, our planning starts weeks ahead of time,” said Brits.

Planning involves driving the routes to identify potential high-risk areas, testing of communication systems and regular team meetings where the event plan is explained, as well as the roles and duties of each person.

On race day Relay EMS will provide a fully equipped medical centre at the finish line, ambulances for the lead men's and ladies’ races, ambulances at strategic points along the route, response vehicles, and motorbikes on the route.

Medical personnel will also be stationed at the finish line, and a sweeper ambulance will ensure that no cyclists are left on the routes. All of these resources will be coordinated from the Venue Operations Centre (VOC).

The VOC is set up to allow us to live track all our vehicles along the course, and our extensive digital private radio network will enable us to communicate directly with our crews.

Any incidents along the route are communicated to the VOC; the VOC will then allocate the closest resource to the incident, ensuring we respond as quickly as possible,” said Brits.

In addition, Relay EMS will also have water points at both the Mountain and Road Race events to ensure that cyclists stay hydrated.

“Ensuring the safety and care of all cyclists is our top priority, and our medical team is prepared for any medical situation.”

In 2020, at The Herald Cycle Tour road race event, Relay EMS supported a cyclist who suffered cardiac arrest during the race.

“Our VOC dispatched our Advanced Life Support Bike Medic to the scene. Upon arrival, we immediately began with CPR and early defibrillation; our ambulance then arrived on the scene. The patient was stabilised and transported to the hospital, where the patient fully recovered. The quick intervention, effective communication, and qualified staff with the right equipment saved the person's life,” said Brits.

Relay EMS was established in 2012 and has extensive experience providing emergency medical staff and equipment for various events.

“There is nothing worse than not feeling well or knowing that you are not well, and you then must make that difficult decision of should I or shouldn’t I cycle today. Leading up to race day, Relay EMS will provide some wellness and safety tips to the cyclists. Keep an eye on our social media pages,” said Brits.

Entries for The Herald Cycle Tour close at midday on February 5.

Enter online at www.heraldcycletour.co.za.

For more information, contact cycletour@theherald.co.za.

GEARING UP: The City Lodge Hotel Group is set to be a hive of activity soon as visitors from out-of-town head to Gqeberha for the 38th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour. The team at the City Lodge Hotel are looking forward to welcoming all riders and their families and promise to provide an experience to remember. Gearing up for the event, from left, are the crew from the City Lodge Hotel Group, receptionist Phateka Thomas, with The Herald marketing manager Berna Ulay-Walters, breakfast chef Clauraine Goeda and assistant general manager Kym Walker. Photo: WERNER HILLS

Out-of-town participants will be treated to panoramic views of Algoa Bay before they have even turned a pedal in anger at this year’s The Herald Cycle Tour.

Town Lodge, which offered riders a cosy stay in sight of the race village for four years in the recent past, is back as the official accommodation sponsor and general manager Glen Pappin cannot be happier.

“We are delighted to continue our relationship with the organisers of this fantastic event that is a firm favourite on the annual sporting calendar,” he said.

The cycle tour, hosted by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, is an important event for the tourism and hospitality sectors in and around the metro.

“This major cycling race is also a fun day out for family and friends, with so much to see, do and experience in our vibrant city,” Pappin said.

The accommodation establishment, he said, was geared for the expected influx of visitors and looking forward to sharing “this beautiful region of South Africa” with everyone.

For the 38th edition of the cycling classic, Town Lodge is offering preferential rates on single and double rooms to entrants and their respective entourages on the evenings of February 16 and 17. The special includes breakfast.

It is one of four properties within the City Lodge Hotel Group, all located along the beachfront and close to The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex.

The Courtyard Hotel offers four-star luxury while City Lodge provides three-star comfort. The offering also includes the super affordable Road Lodge.

The hotels serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and feature swimming pools and sundowner bars.

The mountain bike races get underway from the Addo Polo Club on February 11, while the road events take place from Pollok Beach in the Friendly City on February 17 and 18.

Accommodation can be booked at www.citylodgehotels.com and riders can enter at www.heraldcycletour.co.za until noon on February 5.

BACK ON BOARD: Eastern Cape Motors is once again on board for the Herald Cycle Tour. Pictured with one of the sponsor’s vehicles is competitor Daniel Loubser. Photo: Richard Pearce

Partnering with The Herald Cycle Tour 2024 as an official vehicle sponsor makes perfect sense for Eastern Cape Motors (ECM) because of the group’s drive to support local.

Eastern Cape Motors Group’s North End sales manager Dale Cuthbert said The Herald Cycle Tour was a world-class sporting event that was close to the group’s heart.

“Eastern Cape Motors Group, largely Eastern Cape-based, grew out of small beginnings in Port Elizabeth and East London 38 years ago,” Cuthbert said.

“We regard ourselves as being very privileged, and proud, to have the Eastern Cape as our group’s foundation and base — our slogan has for many years been, ‘The Eastern Cape is Eastern Cape Motor Country’.

“We are blessed to reside in the beautiful Eastern Cape and, of course, to be associated with a local world-class cycling event which The Herald Cycle Tour has become,” Cuthbert said.

The Herald Cycle Tour 2024, hosted by the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, will be staged over two weekends with mountain bike races at the Addo Polo Club on February 11, and road races at Pollok Beach on February 17 and 18.

“We believe and robustly advocate that the Eastern Cape is the jewel of Southern Africa — from having five of seven biomes and being malaria-free, to the many phenomenal Big 5 game reserves, including the Addo Elephant Park, which stretches into the sea, and just so much more.

“This premier sporting event showcases our wonderful city and environs so well, bringing participants from across South Africa and internationally, so it’s always a privilege for the Eastern Cape Motor Group to be involved and to support The Herald Cycle Tour.”

Some of the sponsored vehicles that will support The Cycle Tour include the Ford Ranger (Double Cab XL, XLT, Wildtrak), which in June became the first bakkie to win the prestigious South African Car of the Year title.

The Ford Ranger is truly a local, Eastern Cape, hero because its engine is built at the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha.

Some of the other ECM vehicles that will be used to support The Herald Cycle Tour 2024 will include the Ford Everest — Wildtrak & Sport (Adventure SUV of the Year); Ford Puma — Titanium and ST-Line, Subaru — New Outback, Proton — New X90; Nissan — New X-Trail; and Mazda — CX 60.

“The Herald Cycle Tour is a world-class event in every respect,” Cuthbert said.

“It is exceptionally well organised, with participation across so many age groups and walks of life.

“It includes the prestige of the road cycle races in tandem with a fantastic, professional mountain bike event.

It is always such a fun event we wouldn’t miss for the world.”

ECM’s enthusiastic North End team will once again energetically assist cyclists at a water point on the mountain bike race, and various staff members will participate in the mountain bike or road race events, as well as support their families from the roadside.

Online registration for charity entries closes at midday on Sunday, December 31. All other entries close at midday on February 5.

Enter online at www.heraldcycletour.co.za

For more information, contact cycletour@theherald.co.za