With the Indian Ocean and sand dunes as backdrop, the Maitlands climb on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth presents compelling evidence that The Herald VW Cycle Tour is one of the most scenic road races in the country. As one of two challenging hill climb primes - the other is at Theescombe -this spectacular vantage point is the perfect spot for spectators to enjoy the 105km national classic on Sunday, February 6. "This climb often determines the outcome of the race," said race director … [Read more...] about Insider Guide to Cycle Tour Vantage Points
Cycling
Cycling Festival Brightens Beachfront
The Port Elizabeth beachfront is abuzz this week as riders descend on the city for a festival of cycling, which started with the South African championships on Wednesday and finishes with The Herald VW Cycle Tour national classic on Sunday. Participants staying at the newly opened Town Lodge Port Elizabeth will be able to roll out of bed and into the heart of the action at Hobie Beach. The 203-room hotel has come on board as the official accommodation sponsor of the cycle tour. "We … [Read more...] about Cycling Festival Brightens Beachfront
Addo Considers Formal Mountain Biking Trials
The Addo Elephant National Park on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth is fast becoming a mountain biking hotspot and plans are afoot to attract enthusiasts of this rapidly growing, eco-friendly sport. The Big Seven reserve, which has hosted The Herald VW Cycle Tour's mountain bike challenges since 2008, is the only national park to hold three competitive mountain bike races annually. The Herald VW Cycle Tour's mountain bike challenges will once again kick off Addo's racing calendar this year. … [Read more...] about Addo Considers Formal Mountain Biking Trials
Knox and Stewart Face Off
In-form DCM team-mates Max Knox and Brandon Stewart are set to face off on "neutral" territory in this Saturday's 85km Extreme Challenge at Addo just outside Port Elizabeth. The mountain biking duo will aim to continue their impressive early-season form in the race that will form part of the annual The Herald VW Cycle Tour in the Friendly City for a seventh time. "When we race in the Lowveld where Max lives, I usually try to help him - and vice versa in KwaZulu-Natal," said Stewart, who is … [Read more...] about Knox and Stewart Face Off
Later Start for School and Family Cycle Challenge
The Herald VW Cycle Tour organisers have moved to prevent potential traffic snarls by announcing a new start time and position for the shorter road race on Sunday, February 6. The 40km Schools' and Family Challenge will now begin at 9am – one and a half hours later than previously advertised. Riders will enter the starting shute near the Total garage on The Boardwalk's side of Marine Drive, opposite the Hobie Beach parking lot. According to organisers, this was done to avoid a … [Read more...] about Later Start for School and Family Cycle Challenge
Lange Eyes Green and Gold
Even though they were issued their new kit barely a week ago, Team Bonitas' Malcolm Lange is already eyeing a new outfit - the coveted national champion's jersey. The Junior Men, Women, u23 Men, Elite Men and Women National Cycling Champions all get to wear a white jersey with green and gold. National cycling Masters champions wear a blue, green and gold jersey whilst the u16 National cycling champions wear a red, green and gold colour jersey. Former National Cycling Champions are allowed … [Read more...] about Lange Eyes Green and Gold
Moolman Pasio anticipates a Beautiful Ride in PE
Nashua-Toyota's Ashleigh Moolman Pasio listed the defence of her title in The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth on Sunday as one of her three goals before jetting off to Italy in March for the European season. She said this week's national championships in the Friendly City - where she has entered the time-trial and road race - would be her first objective after having to settle for silver behind team-mate Lynette Burger in Oudtshoorn two years ago. Her focus then shifts to the … [Read more...] about Moolman Pasio anticipates a Beautiful Ride in PE
Marissa van der Merwe Looking Forward to Going Faster
Cycling South Africa's (CSA) new road racing regulations will be implemented for the first time in the Eastern Cape at The Herald VW Cycle Tour national classic in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. According to Hendrik Lemmer, director of the CSA road commission, the new rules were an attempt to move away from age and gender-based categories to a strength versus strength system. "The top countries have a strength-based system, which works well." The national body's overview document states that … [Read more...] about Marissa van der Merwe Looking Forward to Going Faster
Garth will Keep you in the Saddle
Former Eastern Province cycling champion Garth Botha, who cut his teeth on the Rapport Tour as a bicycle technician, will be keeping participants in the saddle during the 26th annual The Herald VW Cycle Tour in and around Port Elizabeth this weekend. The tour kicks off with the mountain bike races in Addo on Saturday, February 5, followed by the road events in PE the following day. Botha, who captained the EP road cycling team and was senior time-trial champion for a record six years in a … [Read more...] about Garth will Keep you in the Saddle
Come Along for a Ride Along
Organisers of The Herald VW Cycle Tour are inviting road and mountain bike participants to wrap up their race preparations with pre-rides on Sunday, January 30. Former Springbok cyclist Wayne Pheiffer and the race’s official mechanic Garth Botha from Action Cycles will guide a group along the 105-kilometre route in Port Elizabeth. Support vehicles will follow the riders, who will be departing from Hobie Beach at 6am. At Addo, pre-rides will take place on the 65km and 40km mountain bike … [Read more...] about Come Along for a Ride Along
Apply for Your Coveted Green Number
The Herald VW Cycle Tour may be a shade greener this year following an appeal by organisers for riders who have participated in 10 or more editions of the national classic to contact them. "We are updating our records for the exclusive green number club and want to ensure that we don't miss anyone," said race director Shane Bradfield. With the 105-kilometre feature race taking place for the 26th time in Port Elizabeth on February 6, it is hoped that more riders will join this elite … [Read more...] about Apply for Your Coveted Green Number
Carla Swart Memorial
www.MyPE.co.za: Top South African cyclist Carla Swart's life will be celebrated at a memorial service in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, February 3. Fellow cyclists are expected to gather at The Boardwalk Casino's Vodacom Amphitheatre at 4.30pm. Swart, 23, was killed when she turned in front of an oncoming truck during a training ride in the Free State on January 19. "It was Carla's dream to represent South Africa at the world championships and she did us proud on and off the bike while … [Read more...] about Carla Swart Memorial
Attekwas Rejuvenates von Holdt for Addo
Port Elizabeth mountain biker Andrea von Holdt announced herself as a contender for The Herald VW Cycle Tour's Extreme Challenge when she finished runner-up in the Attakwas half-marathon just outside George recently. The 85km Extreme Challenge and 65km Challenge - which are held in conjunction with the following day's national road classic in PE - will take place in the Addo Elephant National Park and Zuurberg mountains on the outskirts of the city on Saturday, February 5. Von Holdt said … [Read more...] about Attekwas Rejuvenates von Holdt for Addo
Is Exposure Worth More Than Money
With prize money totalling R100 000 in 2011, The Herald VW Cycle Tour will again set the benchmark as the Eastern Cape's richest race, said race director Shane Bradfield. The event, which takes place in Port Elizabeth on February 5 and 6, is the culmination of a festival of cycling in the Friendly City that includes the four-day South African Road Cycling Championships. In the lead-up to the year's first national classic, professional team bosses highlighted the role mass participation … [Read more...] about Is Exposure Worth More Than Money
De Wet Pips PE’s von Holdt
Teenager Caitlin de Wet gave her new employers immediate payback when she won the 52km Nissan half-marathon at the Attakwas mountain bike event in Groot Brak River outside George on Saturday. Riding in her first race for Team bizhub, the 19-year-old completed the challenging course in 2:40:42 to hold off Port Elizabeth's experienced Andrea von Holdt (38) by two seconds. Junior Linda van Wyk (2:42:41) was third overall with MTN-Qhubeka's Mariske Strauss fourth (2:45:12). "I'm very … [Read more...] about De Wet Pips PE’s von Holdt
