Team Bestmed-Multihull-ASG's newest signing Maroesjka Matthee got their season off to a flying start with a win at the 30th edition of The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. Track star Matthee put her powerful turn of speed to good use as she outsprinted 13-time winner and PE-based favourite Anriette Schoeman in the finishing straight to take a rain-soaked win in the 106km Classic in 3:00:13. Veteran national marathon champion Yolande de Villiers took third place one second … [Read more...] about Maroesjka Matthee in season-opening win
Cycling
Cycle Tour Celebrates 30 years of action
The 30th edition of The Herald VW Cycle Tour will be held over the weekend of January 31 and February 1 and it is planned to be the biggest and most exciting ever. The organisers would like you to be an integral part of this nationally renowned event co-sponsored by the biggest circulating daily newspaper in Port Elizabeth and its surrounds The Herald and the region's biggest private employer, the Volkswagen Group South Africa. The event has grown tremendously over the past three decades, … [Read more...] about Cycle Tour Celebrates 30 years of action
Local star ready for world champs
Port Elizabeth cyclist Monique Gerber will take on the world's best at the UCI Junior Track World Championships in Gwang Myeong, Korea, from August 8 to 12. Gerber, who races locally for the Bestmed-Shukuma Madibaz club, said she was excited at being given the opportunity to race against the best junior women in the world. It will be the 18-year-old's first outing at the event after illness and lack of early season form put paid to her selection last year. She returned to her best this … [Read more...] about Local star ready for world champs
Madibaz aim for Pretoria win
The Bestmed-Shukuma Madibaz cycling team have their sights set on the top step of the podium at the three-day University Sport South Africa cycling championship, which starts in Pretoria on July 1. The Port Elizabeth-based riders, who finished second overall on home soil last year, will be aiming to dethrone the hosts and defending champions, the University of Pretoria, in the team classification. The yellow jersey will also be up for grabs as Tuks's titleholder Willie Smit is currently … [Read more...] about Madibaz aim for Pretoria win
Hill and Louw cruise to Zuurberg Victory
Andrew Hill and Adriaan Louw were in confident form ahead of next week's national marathon championships as they cruised to victory in the three-day PwC Great Zuurberg Trek in the Addo area near Port Elizabeth on Sunday. Hill and Louw, riding in the colours of Fairview-TIB, crossed the finish line at the Zuurberg Mountain Village in a time of 3:01:56 to take their third consecutive stage win and the overall title in 10:01:28. Former roadies Andrew Mclean and Bruce Diesel of Cycle Lab-PwC … [Read more...] about Hill and Louw cruise to Zuurberg Victory
Last day for clear leaders in Zuurberg Trek
Overnight leaders Andrew Hill and Adriaan Louw stamped their authority on the PwC Great Trek to take a commanding victory on day two of the three-stage race at Addo on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The TIB-Fairview duo powered across the southern and northern ridges of the Zuurberg mountain range to claim the gruelling 81km queen stage in 4:02:12. Eastern Cape duo Grant Mac Geoghan and Jason Reed, riding in the colours of Cyclo Pro-Car Spares, followed a distant second in … [Read more...] about Last day for clear leaders in Zuurberg Trek
Hill and Louw on high
Mountain bikers Andrew Hill and Adriaan Louw turned in a workmanlike performance to claim the opening stage of the three-day PwC Great Zuurberg Trek at Addo just outside Port Elizabeth on Friday. The TIB-Fairview riders set a tempo that few could match to finish the 74km route, which started at the Zuurberg Mountain Village and finished on the national cross-country course at Hayterdale in the Sundays River Valley, in 2:57:25. PE-based duo Grant Mcgeoghan and Jason Reed, riding in the … [Read more...] about Hill and Louw on high
Even when I’m out shopping, I’ll dice somebody
Veteran stage racing champion Yolande de Villiers is preparing to take on the second edition of the three-day PwC Great Zuurberg Trek, which starts at Addo near Port Elizabeth on Friday. De Villiers, who rides in the colours of SasolRacing, will use the 209km event as part of her final build-up towards the national mountain bike marathon championships in Pietermaritzburg next weekend. "I'm very excited and looking forward to the race," said De Villiers, who will be teaming up with husband, … [Read more...] about Even when I’m out shopping, I’ll dice somebody
Epic champ, Andrew Maclean, ready for Zuurberg trek
Well-known television presenter and Cape Epic champion in the grand masters category Andrew Mclean will be on the start line of the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek, which starts near Addo just outside Port Elizabeth on May 30. Mclean and teammate Bruce Diesel will be part of an exclusive field for the three-day mountain bike stage race, which, he says, has the potential to become one of the iconic events in the province. "It's absolutely essential for the growth of the sport and it's a wonderful … [Read more...] about Epic champ, Andrew Maclean, ready for Zuurberg trek
Zuurberg Trek entries to close soon
Mountain biking enthusiasts have a final window of opportunity to ride one of the Eastern Cape's most scenic and diverse stage races before entries for the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek close on Monday. The second edition of the three-day race, which centres around the Zuurberg mountain range just outside Port Elizabeth from May 30, traverses the Sundays River Valley and Addo Elephant National Park with the plateau offering stunning views over the Great Karoo. The 200km course also takes in … [Read more...] about Zuurberg Trek entries to close soon
Zuurberg cycle race offers “elevated” experience
With a R50 000 prize purse, luxury accommodation and challenging three-day route, organisers of the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek have signalled their intent to elevate it among the top mountain bike stage races in the country. According to race director Brad Jackson, the Eastern Cape event - which takes place near Addo on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth from May 30 - had what it took to rival the best of the established stage races. "By offering increased prize money we're hoping to entice some … [Read more...] about Zuurberg cycle race offers “elevated” experience
Zuurberg race balances effort and reward
Organisers of the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek have unveiled a route that promises equal parts effort and reward for participants in the three-day mountain bike race, which starts in Addo on May 30. Speaking at the recent launch event in Port Elizabeth, route designer Rob Hayter said each of the three stages had been specifically created to offer a completely different riding experience. "The diversity of these three days is going to be incredible. I don't think you'll see the variety of nature … [Read more...] about Zuurberg race balances effort and reward
Barrow and Schoeman tops in East London
Former South African U23 road champion Clinton Barrow bolted to his third win in the Daily Dispatch SPAR Cycle Tour in East London on Sunday. Barrow (Giant-Ride Life) held his nerve in a tight three-man sprint to take the title in 2:34:36, just milliseconds ahead of former Border 1000 champion Donovan O'Reilly and in-form Port Elizabeth rider Marinus Prinsloo (Bestmed-NMMU). In a replay of last year's women's race, multiple winner Anriette Schoeman (Africa Silks-Bestmed) again outsprinted … [Read more...] about Barrow and Schoeman tops in East London
Great Zuurberg Trek – new sponsor
Professional services provider PwC has expanded its investment in the sport of mountain biking by taking up the title sponsorship of the Great Zuurberg Trek in the Eastern Cape. The firm - which provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services - is the first of the so-called Big Four firms to sponsor a high-profile stage race. According to partner in charge of the Port Elizabeth office Andrea Puggia, the event provides an ideal opportunity to expand PwC's footprint in the … [Read more...] about Great Zuurberg Trek – new sponsor
NMMU’s Viljoen ready to reclaim EL cycle tour
Former East London resident Conrad Viljoen will return for another crack at reclaiming his title in the Daily Dispatch SPAR Cycle Tour on February 16. Multiple winner Viljoen, who finished second last year, will lead a six-man Bestmed-NMMU team in the 100km road race through his old hometown. Among a number of local riders, the 29-year-old said he expected strong competition from the likes of former national U23 champion and 2012 winner Clinton Barrow. Buffalo Flats-born defending … [Read more...] about NMMU’s Viljoen ready to reclaim EL cycle tour
