The biggest international pro-cycling road event to hit South Africa will see more than 120 cyclists and their entourages as well as 300 members of the media descend on Nelson Mandela Bay this month to take part in Stage 3 of the inaugural Cell C Tour.
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism CEO Mandlakazi Skefile said the incredible exposure given to Nelson Mandela Bay as a tourist destination to not only the competing cyclists who would visit our city but also to the rest of the country and internationally through media coverage would be phenomenal.
“As South Africa’s very own version of the ‘Tour de France’, the sense of pride and excitement that we as a city can feel in having been selected to host Stage 3 of the event is tremendous, especially after having been successful in our hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ here.
“Competitive cycling is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and Nelson Mandela Bay has become a prime destination for major cycling events because of its beautiful scenic routes, good roads and user-friendliness,” said Skefile.
The teams and media are expected to arrive in the city on Sunday, February 20, after completing Stage Two of the event in Johannesburg. An added bonus for Nelson Mandela Bay is that the teams will get to enjoy a rest day in our city on the Monday before embarking on Stage 3 of the tournament on Tuesday, February 22.
The final list of starters comprises 120 riders, 20 teams, made up of 14 International and six local teams.
“Stage 3 comprises a 173km route starting at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, heading towards the Addo Elephant National Park, which is also one of the city’s nearby and world-renowned tourist attractions. From there the race returns to Port Elizabeth, where the route takes an interesting turn, with a city circuit, before finishing in Summerstrand on the beachfront,” said Skefile.
Barry Mocke, CEO of Cycling South Africa said that although all the teams had confirmed and booked their spots, they were still awaiting the final starting list.
“We are very excited at how it’s all coming together and the support from the municipalities, tourism authorities and public so far has been fantastic,” said Mocke.
Some of the teams will arrive in the country from as early as February 13 to acclimatise and enjoy a few days of rest while preparing for the event.
The 1200km Cell C Tour of South Africa 2011 is a UCI sanctioned 2.2 category, eight day, seven-stage road race starting in Gauteng and finishing in Paarl.
The Tour of South Africa is a 8-day, 7-stage 2.2 Category cycling event, with prize money for the event at R500 000.00, making this the richest road event in the country.
The seven stages of the tour:
- 19 February – Menlyn Shopping Centre to Monte Casino (167 km)
- 20 February – Monte Casino, Soweto, Monte Casino (156 km)
- 22 February – NMB Stadium Port Elizabeth to Addo, Paterson, Summerstrand (173 km)
- 23 February – Bloukrans Bridge to George (153 km)
- 24 February – Oudtshoorn to Seleendam (210 km)
- 25 February – Hermanus to Stellenbosch (180 (km)
- 26 February – Stellenbosch University to Stellenbosch University (104.5 km)
Estimated Port Elizabeth Traffic Route Disruptions on Tuesday 22 February 2011:
- Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Surrounding Roads STOP / GO Intersection Control East – Towards sea Innes Street Stadium Entrance – Govan Mbeki Ave STOP / GO Intersection Control East – Towards sea 09H15 – 10H45
- Darling Street Govan Mbeki Ave – M4 Freeway On Ramp STOP / GO Intersection Control East – Towards sea 09H15 – 10H45
- M4 Freeway North Darling Street On Ramp – N2 Intersection Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy North – Out of town 09H15 – 10H45
- N2 Freeway East N2 Freeway – Markman Off Ramp Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy East – Out of town 09H15 – 11H30
- R335 Markman Off Ramp Exit N2 Freeway Off Ramp – R335 Markman / Motherwell area STOP / GO Intersection Control North – Towards Addo 09H15 – 11H30
- R335 Addo Road Motherwell – Addo Elephant National Park Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy North – Towards Addo 09H30 – 13H00
- 09H15 – 10H45
- R342 Paterson Road Addo Elephant National Park – Paterson Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy East – Towards Paterson 10H30 – 14H00
- N10 Paterson – Nanaga Paterson – Nanaga Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy South – Towards Nanaga 11H00 – 14H00
- N2 Freeway West N2 Nanaga – M4 On Ramp Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy West – Towards town 12H00 – 15H00
- M4 Freeway South M4 in direction of Summerstrand Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy South – Towards Summerstrand 12H00 – 16H00
- Baakens Road Walmer Boulevard / Freeway Intersection – Military Road STOP / GO Intersection Control North – Towards town 12H00 – 16H00
- Military Road Newspaper House – Belmont Terrace ONE WAY Traffic only & Rolling Closure around Race Convoy West – Up the hill 12H00 – 16H00
- Belmont Terrace Top of Military Road – Fort Street ONE WAY Traffic only & Rolling Closure around Race Convoy South – Towards Baakens Valley 12H00 – 16H00
- Fort Street Belmont Terrace – Gordon Street ONE WAY Traffic only & Rolling Closure around Race Convoy West – Towards St Georges Park 12H00 – 16H00
- Gordon Street Gordon Street – Cuyler Street ONE WAY Traffic only & Rolling Closure around Race Convoy West – Towards St Georges Park 12H00 – 16H00
- Cuyler Street Gordon Street – Park Drive ONE WAY Traffic only & Rolling Closure around Race Convoy West – Towards St Georges Park 12H00 – 16H00
- Brickmakers Kloof Road Park Drive – Baakens Valley Road ONE WAY Traffic only & Rolling Closure around Race Convoy South – Down the hill 12H00 – 16H00
- Upper Valley Road Brickmakers Kloof Road – Webber Street (South End) CLOSED Whole Road 12H00 – 16H00
- Webber Street 1st Ave Walmer – Anderson Street Intersection CLOSED Whole Road 12H00 – 16H00
- Anderson Street – Webber Street – Walmer Road CLOSED Whole Road 12H00 – 16H00
- Walmer Road – 1st Avenue Walmer – South End Fire Station Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy East – Towards the sea 12H00 – 16H00
- Forest Hill Drive Walmer Boulevard – Le Roche Drive – South End Fire Station Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy South – Towards Summerstrand 12H00 – 16H00
- Le Roche Drive Forest Hill Drive – Beach Road Intersection Traffic Delays – Rolling Closure around Race Convoy South – Towards Summerstrand 12H00 – 16H00
- Beach Road Le Roche Drive – Hobie Beach CLOSED South – Towards University 09H00 – 16H00
Intersections will be controlled by Traffic Officers & Marshals. Roads will be CLOSED as the Race Convoy passes through – Expect delays.
Traffic will be delayed behind the moving Race Convoy – estimated speed = 40km/h.
Traffic may only proceed in the allowed direction throughout
Alan Straton
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