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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Cycling South Africa present the Africa Cup

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Africa Cup Cycling
The Africa Cup cycling event will see 20 African nations competing over four days and will take place in Port Elizabeth from 10 to 13 October 2019. Photo: Tour de Limpopo/Andrew McFadden

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality [NMBM] and Cycling South Africa [Cycling SA] are pleased to announce the Africa Cup cycling event. The race will take place from 10 to 13 October 2019 and will see 20 African nations competing over four days in an event that will offer UCI points towards qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The inaugural Africa Cup took place in Eritrea last year and Nelson Mandela Bay is ready to show itself off as a world-class sporting destination with the second edition. The event format comprises four one-day races, featuring an individual time trial, mixed relay, criterium and a road race.

Africa Cup is the first event in a three-year partnership between NMBM and Cycling SA to bring international and championship events to Nelson Mandela Bay. A legacy project is at the heart of the partnership, whereby cycling programs will be set up in peri-urban areas with the intention to increase the existing cycling culture in the Eastern Cape.

NMBM Executive Mayor, Mongameli Bobani, said, “We’re proud once again to show off the metro as the sporting capital of the country. We’ve shown time and again we have an appetite and are capable of hosting high impact events. We’re ready to welcome the best African cyclists to our shores and give them an opportunity to qualify for more points towards the Olympic games while taking in the heritage and culture of our city. We could not enter into this partnership without a legacy project that will leave a lasting impact on cycling in the city and the country. We’re excited about the grassroots programme, which we’re confident will have a big impact.”

The Africa Cup event is open to African national teams, designed to give nations the chance to improve their international rankings.

“The event provides a unique opportunity for African cyclists, and in particular women cyclists, an opportunity to gain more UCI race days – where the continental program of events focuses largely on men’s’ road racing,” Zamuxolo Xatasi, President of Cycling South Africa said.

“It’s designed to uplift nations in the international rankings. Bringing international races into communities will hopefully entice young people to take up cycling. Nelson Mandela Bay is very picturesque and has unique topography for a coastal town, with short, steep climbs. There are some very good vistas, which make for a good backdrop for the event. The metro is steeped in the history of the country and this is a unique opportunity to invite African nations to come race and be exposed to this world-class destination,” Xatasi concluded.

The racing details are as follows:

  • Day 1 – October 10, 2019 – Thursday – Individual Time Trial – Marine Drive
  • Day 2 – October 11, 2019 – Friday – Mixed Relay – New Brighton
  • Day 3 – October 12, 2019 – Saturday – Criterium Race – Lorraine Primary School
  • Day 4 – October 13, 2019 – Sunday – Road Races – St Georges Park/CBD
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.