Le Tour experience for KZN
SOUTH African amateur cyclists will get a chance to experience what it’s like to take part on a stage of the Tour de France in a new race next year, L’Etape South Africa.
The 160km race, to be held in the KZN Midlands on April 2, falls neatly between the Cape Town Cycle Tour (March 12) and the Tour Durban (April 30).
The start and finish will be at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, near Howick.
L’Etape South Africa has been limited to 5 000 riders, with entry priced at R990. Entries opened earlier this week and close on February 22.
Professional riders will be allowed to compete, but there is no prize money on offer.
The route, which passes Michaelhouse, Nottingham Road, Spring Grove Dam, Glengarry Kamberg and Giant’s Castle, has been described as tough, with leading riders expected to finish in around five hours, and with a cut-off of 10 hours,
Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO), the organiser of the Tour de France, has said L’Etape South Africa will be operated under professional race conditions on fully closed roads and will replicate a stage of the Tour, with riders competing on a timed sprint section and a timed King of the Mountain section.
As well as a race medal there will be a Tour de France yellow jersey for the winning rider, a green jersey (best sprinter), a polka dot jersey (king of the mountains) and a white jersey (best young rider).
There will also be three feeding zones, with water, toilets and medical and mechanical support – and transport for riders and bikes for those who wish to stop riding – plus two drinking zones.
L’Etape (which means “stage” in French) already takes place in nine countries. South Africa will become the 10th country to host the event.
ASO also said it was planning to invite the winners of the South African race to take part in next year’s L’Etape du Tour in the Alps on July 16.
Some 15 000 riders are expected to line up to tackle the fully supported replica of the 178km Tour de France stage 18, which starts in the town of Briancon in the Serre Chevalier Valley and finishes after two major climbs on top of the Col d’Izoard. That takes place just two days before the pros on the Tour tackle the stage.
L’Etape South Africa has the full backing of three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome.
The Sky Team rider, who was born in Kenya and educated in South Africa, said: “As you know South Africa is a really special place for me. So I’m really excited L’Etape South Africa will give everyone the experience of what it’s like to be on the Tour de France for a day. It’s going to be right up there.”
ASO general manager Yann Le Moënner said: “For the first time in history, South African cycling enthusiasts will be offered the excitement of Le Tour de France. We are proud and happy of this new grand premiere.”
letapesouthafrica.com.