Eight-time national road race champion Anriette Schoeman will have another bite at the cherry when she takes on South Africa's cycling elite at the annual championships in Durban this weekend. Schoeman, who will race in the colours of Bestmed-Africa Silks, said she believed she still had another title in her after winning the 106km Classic at The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. "I never go to a race if I don't think I stand a chance," said the 36-year-old PE-based … [Read more...] about PE’s Anriette looking for 9th title in Durban
Cycling
Number 3 for Nolan Hoffman
Nolan Hoffman outsprinted a small lead group in the finishing straight to claim his third victory in the 106km Classic at The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. Hoffman, riding in the colours of Team Abantu, crossed the line in 2:37:41, just a split-second clear of Bonitas rider HB Kruger. Kruger's team-mate Jayde Julius rounded out the podium in 2:37:44. It was also a tight finish in the women's race, as local favourite Anriette Schoeman (Africa Silks-Bestmed) claimed her … [Read more...] about Number 3 for Nolan Hoffman
James Reid scores solo win in Addo 80km Extreme
Recently crowned U23 African cross-country champion James Reid showed his continental class when he soloed to victory in the 80km Extreme mountain bike challenge at The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Addo on Saturday. Reid, sporting the green and gold band of his national XCO champion's jersey, broke away from nearest rival Gert Heyns with 18km to go to take an uncontested victory in 3:03:16. Heyns (ASG-Pinarello) trailed him home in 3:06:08, with Darren Lill (Cannondale-Blend) a further five … [Read more...] about James Reid scores solo win in Addo 80km Extreme
Oudtshoorn rider to defend Addo MTB Title
Two-time winner Matthys Beukes will return to defend his 80km Extreme mountain bike crown at The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Addo on Saturday. Beukes - who will also vie for the overall Ultimate Quest title by riding the 106km Classic on Sunday - said he was looking forward to one of his favourite events on the racing calendar. "It's a great weekend away. The mountain bike route is interesting and the road race is always fun!" The George-based rider said he was in good form despite … [Read more...] about Oudtshoorn rider to defend Addo MTB Title
Off the Courts and into the Cleats
South Africa's most-capped netball player Zanele Mdodana will swap courts for cleats when she lines up at The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. The former SPAR Proteas captain will participate in her first ever cycle race - the 55km Pursuit - as part of the Vukani Multi Sport Club development team. "I'm definitely excited about it and a bit nervous," said 29-year-old Mdodana. "But I'm not competing with anyone, so I'm going to take my time and just ensure that I complete … [Read more...] about Off the Courts and into the Cleats
NMBT issues warm welcome to cyclists
Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) is set to share a warm welcome to cyclists and spectators who descend upon the metro to participate in South Africa's second oldest and the 29th edition national classic cycle tour from the 31 January till the 2nd February 2014. Ms M Skefile, CEO of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism says, "This is a proud and exciting annual event which has a great economic impact as well as provides massive exposure for NMB." The event attracts over 4000 visitors to the city which frequent … [Read more...] about NMBT issues warm welcome to cyclists
Locals take on top pros
It will be a case of David versus Goliath when Port Elizabeth's best riders take on South Africa's top pro teams at The Herald VW Cycle Tour on Sunday. The field for the 29th edition of the 106km Classic includes the likes of two-time winner Nolan Hoffman and 2012 champion James Perry, who will line up for the seven-strong Team Abantu. They will do battle with rival team Bonitas, whose eight-man squad features current Argus titleholder Herman Fouché. Fouché's team-mate HB Kruger, who … [Read more...] about Locals take on top pros
Joubert and Gouveris set to shine in PE tour
Two of Port Elizabeth's most promising young professional cyclists will be in action on home soil at The Herald VW Cycle Tour this weekend. Mountain biker Marco Joubert and road rider Kellan Gouveris will both be gunning for glory when their respective races roll out at Addo and Hobie Beach. Gouveris, 19, will be part of Team Abantu's seven-man line-up – that includes former winners James Perry and Nolan Hoffman – for the 106km Classic on the Sunday. His squad will vie against the likes … [Read more...] about Joubert and Gouveris set to shine in PE tour
PE ready to roll with cycling festival
Nelson Mandela Bay is gearing up for the 29th edition of its annual weekend festival of cycling, The Herald VW Cycle Tour, which happens on the first weekend in February. The event starts in Port Elizabeth on the Friday with the two-day registration and expo at The Boardwalk Convention Centre. Riders and their families will descend on the venue to soak up the excitement, collect their goodie bags or sign up for late registration between 9am and 7pm, and again on Saturday from 9am to … [Read more...] about PE ready to roll with cycling festival
Cycling for R400 000 in prizes
With a competitive prize purse and giveaways worth R400 000, The Herald VW Cycle Tour remains one of the Eastern Cape's richest cycling events. The 29th edition of the tour, which takes place in Addo and Port Elizabeth on February 1 and 2, will once again offer enticing incentives for pro teams and social riders alike. While the top South African teams would battle it out for the winners' cheques, event organiser Linda Harwood said other participants would be in line for the main lucky … [Read more...] about Cycling for R400 000 in prizes
5 Days to cut off for PE cycle race
With just less than a week to go, last-minute entries are streaming in for The Herald VW Cycle Tour, which rolls out across Nelson Mandela Bay on the first weekend in February. The Herald's chief marketing officer Justin Peel said there had been a definite upswing in interest as people returned to work, bolstered by their new year's resolutions to get fit. "The entries have definitely increased rapidly after the holidays and we are expecting a flurry of interest before the January 20 … [Read more...] about 5 Days to cut off for PE cycle race
Launch of Port Elizabeth’s safer cycling campaign
The Herald VW Cycle Tour has joined forces with the Pedal Power Association to promote "Safe Cycling" on the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay. The Eastern Cape leg of the national awareness and lobbying campaign, which encourages motorists to keep a 1.5-metre distance from cyclists, was launched in Port Elizabeth this week. According to The Herald's chief marketing officer Justin Peel, creating a safe cycling environment is critical for both cyclists and motorists alike. "Through this … [Read more...] about Launch of Port Elizabeth’s safer cycling campaign
Port Elizabeth’s Dream Mile
Organisers of The Herald VW Cycle Tour have introduced a brand-new spectator hotspot for the feature race on February 2 and dubbed it the Dream Mile in recognition of beneficiary Reach for a Dream. Road race director Julie Briggs said the aim of the demarcated stretch along Lakeside Road on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth was to create a Tour de France-style atmosphere, with crowds of people lining the route. "We'd like to encourage the public to show their support and experience the great … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth’s Dream Mile
Dylan Victor to entertain crowds with heart-stopping display of stunt riding
The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World will be pulling out all the stops as it prepares to become the official home of cycling in Port Elizabeth for the weekend of The Herald VW Cycle Tour. With just under a month to go, general manager Brett Hoppé said everything was in place to ensure that the facilities would be ready for the influx of riders and supporters from January 31 to February 2. "We were happy to welcome the tour in 2013 as one of the first major events to be hosted in … [Read more...] about Dylan Victor to entertain crowds with heart-stopping display of stunt riding
Cycle tour offers all round technical support
Organisers of The Herald VW Cycle Tour have upped the ante by taking technical assistance to the next level at both the mountain bike and road events on February 1 and 2. Official technical support partners Cyclo Pro-GT will host a neutral support zone near the start/finish venues at the Addo Polo Club on the Saturday and at Port Elizabeth's Hobie Beach on the Sunday. According to GT regional manager Stephen Craddock, their technicians would be on hand to assist with any last-minute issues … [Read more...] about Cycle tour offers all round technical support
