A growing demand for professionally organised mountain biking events in the Eastern Cape has seen two entrepreneurs start a dedicated business and take over the reins of the off-road portion of The Herald VW Cycle Tour. Earlier this year former competitive cross-country riders Brad Jackson and Julie Briggs, both from Port Elizabeth, started Mountain Events after witnessing a steady growth in the sport over the past five years. As committee members of the Fat Tracks Mountain Bike Club, they … [Read more...] about Mountainous challenge for new organisers
Cycling
Celebrating Seven Years of Driving the Cycle Tour
Volkswagen Group South Africa has confirmed it will drive one of the Eastern Cape's most popular family lifestyle events, The Herald VW Cycle Tour, for the seventh year running. The announcement comes on the back of a record-breaking production year for the Uitenhage-based vehicle manufacturer. Speaking at the launch of the 27th edition of the event, VWSA general manager of communications Matt Gennrich said the company was once again proud to be associated with the race. "It's a very … [Read more...] about Celebrating Seven Years of Driving the Cycle Tour
Team Ellerbeck Win
2011 Nelson Mandela Bay Urban Run Champion, Tim Ellerbeck, proved that he is just as capable on a Mountain Bike as he is negotiating urban obstacles by foot when he partnered Graeme van der Nest to win last Saturdays Varsity College MTB Relay Challenge held at the Willows Resort. Ellerbeck and van der Nest teamed up to win the 3hr relay challenge, completing a total distance of 70km to hold off a strong challenge from juniors Matthew Hayter and Sebastian Venter who finished just under 4 … [Read more...] about Team Ellerbeck Win
Barrow Triumphant
Former national U/23 champion Clinton Barrow marked his return to big time racing with a comfortable victory in the Mecer-NMMU Cycle Race that took place over 100km in a blustery Port Elizabeth on Sunday. Barrow, who turns 21 on Saturday, crossed the line in 2:20:44 in the company of new team-mate Conrad Viljoen, 27, to sign off a day in which the Mecer-NMMU duo completely dominated the field. Walmer Club's defending champion Roger Pheiffer, 34, led the bunch home in 2:20:44 to take the … [Read more...] about Barrow Triumphant
Clinton Barrow aiming to debut in style
Former South African U/23 road champion Clinton Barrow could be the rider to watch in Sunday's Mecer-NMMU Cycle Race that takes place on a testing 100km course in and around Port Elizabeth. The 20-year-old, who rode professionally for the now-defunct DCM team last year, said he was keen to make a winning start for his new team, Mecer-NMMU, where he will ride alongside two-time former champion Conrad Viljoen. "Hopefully one of us will win. We can both climb and we're similar riders, so if … [Read more...] about Clinton Barrow aiming to debut in style
Viljoen and Pheiffer to Meet in Rematch
It will be sprinter versus climber as defending champion Roger Pheiffer and two-time winner Conrad Viljoen go head-to-head in the sixth edition of the Mecer-NMMU Cycle Race in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, November 20. Pheiffer (Walmer Cycling Club) narrowly beat Viljoen (Mecer-NMMU) in a thrilling sprint last year to take his first major victory following a decade-long absence from the sport. He said he was looking forward to a rematch with the 27-year-old former Eastern Province and national … [Read more...] about Viljoen and Pheiffer to Meet in Rematch
Fat Tracks Raise a Fat R15k for Charity
Since the club was formed in 1989 Fat Tracks has been involved in nature conservation and charity organisations. This year the Spur Schools Mountain bike series was used to not only develop mountain biking amongst the youth, but also to raise R15 000 for The Shepherd’s field Rehablitation Centre in Port Elizabeth. With the help of Merrell Norm-Hudlin; Momsen bikes; Sunridge Spar; Mountain Events; Teloc; Spur and Ama Rider Fat Tracks could afford to put on a real quality event for our young … [Read more...] about Fat Tracks Raise a Fat R15k for Charity
Port Elizabeth Cyclists Dominate SA Track Team
The Eastern Cape once again proved itself a powerhouse in the junior men's ranks with four Port Elizabeth riders included in the seven-man South African track team. The national squad was officially announced by Cycling South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday following a two-week training camp in Durban earlier this month. Top local club Mecer-NMMU leads the pack with two representatives - Marinus Prinsloo and Kellan Gouveris. With Shane Pheiffer and Cuen Holland completing the local quartet, … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth Cyclists Dominate SA Track Team
KentonXtreme Eco Challenge
Local Mountain bike enthusiasts from around the province are preparing themselves for a tougher and more exciting KentonXtreme Eco Challenge this year. Taking place at Kenton-on-Sea over the last weekend of May, the Build-it Hi Tec Security Coastal 53km MTB race promises to deliver the goods with a very exciting course covering the Eco Estate, a breathtaking section along the beach and spectacular surrounding dairy and cattle farmlands between Kasouga and Kariega river. Defending champion, … [Read more...] about KentonXtreme Eco Challenge
Woody Cape MTB Challenge in Cold and Wet Conditions
The Woody Cape's inaugural Mountain Bike Challenge on Saturday 7 May saw just under 100 participants taking part and enjoying the new course in cold and wet conditions. As a result of overnight rains, organisers shortened the long course Mountain Bike course to 45km which saw Christiaan Steffens and his father Ferdi dominating the race from the start. A tough and technical course greeted the cyclists as soon as they left Alexandria and headed through the Dairy farmlands before heading into the … [Read more...] about Woody Cape MTB Challenge in Cold and Wet Conditions
Woody Cape Mountain Bike Challenge
The inaugural Woody Cape Mountain Bike Challenge on 7 May 2011 promises to be a memorable experience for local Mountain Bike enthusiasts. The event offers a challenging 63km ride which will take riders through pristine dairy farm land, up into the picturesque Woody Cape forest and through the Intsomi Forest Lodge which is situated in the untouched Alexandria Forest. Breathtaking views will be experienced over a land unique in natural diversity and unspoilt beauty before riders descend … [Read more...] about Woody Cape Mountain Bike Challenge
Friendly City Looks Forward to Return of Tour of South Africa
On Tuesday 22 February Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay in a joint effort with Cacadu Province delivered what has been described as an overwhelmingly successful third stage of The Cell C Tour of Africa which saw Kristian House retain the gold Lion jersey in the GC Classifications with a 02'22 lead. Stage results in Port Elizabeth were: Yohann Gene (15) Europcar rider - 04:05'27" Johann Rabie (65) Team Bonitas - 04:05'27" Gregory Habeaux (4) Verandas Willems-Accent 04:05'27" With … [Read more...] about Friendly City Looks Forward to Return of Tour of South Africa
Tour de Addo
The biggest international pro-cycling road event to hit South Africa will see more than 120 cyclists and their entourages as well as 300 members of the media descend on Nelson Mandela Bay this month to take part in Stage 3 of the inaugural Cell C Tour. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism CEO Mandlakazi Skefile said the incredible exposure given to Nelson Mandela Bay as a tourist destination to not only the competing cyclists who would visit our city but also to the rest of the country and … [Read more...] about Tour de Addo
DCM Duo Battle Bugs for Addo Glory
Neither spiders nor searing heat could deter Team DCM's Brandon Stewart and Max Knox from making a one-two clean sweep at the 85km Extreme Challenge in Addo just outside Port Elizabeth on Saturday. Knox gave Stewart the win (3:35:46) in The Herald VW Cycle Tour's mountain bike challenge as the team-mates crossed the finish line together. Ben-Melt Swanepoel of Specialized/Mr Price completed the podium (3:41:17). Stewart, 29, also won the sprint prime, while Knox, 24, powered his way to the … [Read more...] about DCM Duo Battle Bugs for Addo Glory
Photo Finish for PE Cycle Classic
Team Bonitas' Tyler Day notched up his first victory in a national classic when he took line honours in the 26th The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth on Sunday morning. Day, tipped by team captain Malcolm Lange as a dark horse before the race, outsprinted a breakaway group of 12 riders after 105km on an overcast and blustery day in the Friendly City. The 21-year-old made the most of a lengthy lead-out by team-mate Johann Rabie to win the sprint easily from Team MTN-Qhubeka's new … [Read more...] about Photo Finish for PE Cycle Classic
