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
cycle tour
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
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
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
Cycle tour in good health
Organisers of the 29th edition of The Herald VW Cycle Tour are leaving nothing to chance when it comes to the safety of participants on February 1 and 2. Gardmed private ambulance service will once again do duty on the streets of Port Elizabeth and on the mountain bike trails at Addo, while the trauma unit staff at Life St George's Hospital will also be on standby to deal with any emergency situation. According to race director Julie Briggs, organisers would also be setting up a joint … [Read more...] about Cycle tour in good health
Free wheeling accommodation for Cycle Tour
With event sponsors creating hassle-free ways of dealing with logistics for the 29th edition of The Herald VW Cycle tour, out-of-town riders will have nothing to worry about other than making it to the finish line. Booking accommodation and car hire for the weekend of the event is now just a few clicks away and will not only save visitors time and effort, but also money. According to road race director Julie Briggs, South Africa's second oldest national classic is attracting an … [Read more...] about Free wheeling accommodation for Cycle Tour
Introducing the Lake Farm Climb
The Herald VW Cycle Tour will offer something new for participants and spectators alike when the 106km Classic rolls out from Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth on February 2. Organisers have introduced the new Lake Farm climb in favour of the traditional 5K Hill, which will also be the site of a dedicated spectator zone. Road race director Julie Briggs said the viewing point would bring the public much closer to the action and that the short, steep climb was one of the points on the route … [Read more...] about Introducing the Lake Farm Climb
Three in a row for Van Heerden on Cycle Tour
Former national road champion Christoff van Heerden completed a hat trick of early season wins when he claimed victory in the 106km Classic at The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. The Bonitas rider capitalised on a lead-out by team-mate HB Kruger to come out on top in a six-man sprint. Van Heerden tussled with Tasol-GT strongman Johann Rabie all the way to the line to place a split-second ahead in 2:34:48, with Kruger a further second back. British road champion … [Read more...] about Three in a row for Van Heerden on Cycle Tour
Beukes wins and two in a row for Neethling
Matthys Beukes came back from a tough first half to chase down the leaders and snatch a surprise victory in the 80km Extreme mountain bike race at Addo just outside Port Elizabeth today. Beukes (Contego-Giant), who last won The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour in 2008 when it was a 65km event, proved he could go the distance in scorching conditions, crossing the line in 3:01:18. After riding off the front for most of the race, African cross-country champion Philip Buys (Scott) outsprinted James Reid … [Read more...] about Beukes wins and two in a row for Neethling
A fight for survival at cycle tour
Professional road team Tasol-GT will be fighting for more than just the win at The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, they will be fighting for survival. The 28th edition of the 106km Classic marks the start of the riders' campaign to save their squad, following the announcement that headline sponsor Tasol will only fund them until the end of the current financial year. Team principal Dean Edwards said the race now had extra meaning for the team, which boasts former winner … [Read more...] about A fight for survival at cycle tour
If I say ‘outfits’ do you think cycling?
Multiple former winner Kevin Evans will be in a different outfit when he defends his title in The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour's 80km Extreme mountain bike challenge at Addo on Saturday. Evans, who started his mountain biking career in Port Elizabeth, has joined FedGroup-Itec Connect in the wake of the much-publicised demise of his former team and will bring teammates Brandon Stewart, who won in 2011, and Bridgette Minnaar-Stewart along for the ride. "It's very early in the season for us but it … [Read more...] about If I say ‘outfits’ do you think cycling?
Family cycling festival fun
Organisers of The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour have promised to deliver yet another action-packed, family-oriented festival of cycling and entertainment when the 28th edition of the event rolls out in Nelson Mandela Bay from February 1 to 3. The programme starts on the Friday with an all-day expo and registration (9am to 9pm) on the exhibition level of The Boardwalk International Convention Centre opposite Hobie Beach. Then, on the Saturday morning, the racing kicks off with the mountain bike … [Read more...] about Family cycling festival fun
Cycle tour gives Gain for your Pain
As the total prize purse for The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour surpasses the R400 000 mark, participants in next weekend's event will walk away with more than smiles on their faces. Officially the Eastern Cape's richest race, the cycle tour kicks off with the mountain bike events in Addo on the Saturday and culminates with the road races in Port Elizabeth on the Sunday. According to event coordinator Linda Harwood, the lucky draw prize value currently stands at R290 000 and counting, with a … [Read more...] about Cycle tour gives Gain for your Pain
Cycle tour bids farewell to Slanghoogte
Organisers of The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour have made a minor adjustment to the 106km Classic route, following a request from the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, which runs the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. South Africa’s second oldest national classic, which takes place in Port Elizabeth on February 3, is an official premier seeding event of the Cycle Tour. As such, race director Tony Cooney said they would bypass the short but challenging 1km Slanghoogte climb to bring the course in line … [Read more...] about Cycle tour bids farewell to Slanghoogte
Keeping the cycle tour hearts beating
Longstanding partners Life Healthcare and Gardmed Ambulance Service have reconfirmed their commitment to providing full medical support for The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Addo and Port Elizabeth on February 2 and 3. Life St George's hospital manager André Bothma said the group was once again proud to be associated with the event. "We have an excellent working relationship with Gardmed and participants can rest assured that they will receive the best possible medical care should they require … [Read more...] about Keeping the cycle tour hearts beating
