Classic cycle race stretched to 150km

South Africa’s oldest classic cycle race, the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic, has been reinvented with the inclusion of a 150km route for the first time. This year also marks its recognition as a race of international significance, through its inclusion in the Gran Fondo World Tour.

At the Joburg VIP launch of this year’s Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic this week, race director Annie Batchelder said: “We are really excited about adding the very challenging 150km route to our already popular 106km, 65km and 35km distances. Not only will the Tsogo Sun Amashova be one of the very few races in South Africa to offer this kind of extreme distance, but the hills and overall profile of the Richmond area will, in its own right, push the limits of the brave cyclists prepared to take on the challenge.”

The new 150km route will have the same starting point as the 106km route, in front of Pietermaritzburg’s City Hall, but cyclists will do an additional 44km loop via Richmond before re-joining the famous Comrades Marathon route from Maritzburg to Durban.

The announcement that this popular annual Durbanbased race will form part of the Gran Fondo World Tour has been met with much excitement. According to organisers of the Gran Fondo World Tour, the Tsogo Sun Amashova race will close off the 10-event tour, which takes place over eight months on four continents. The Gran Fondo World Tour offers a substantial prize purse of $25 000 (R302 000). The Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic will also be the first and only race in the prestigious 10 race line-up to be hosted in Africa.

“As the title sponsors, we are committed to ensuring that the Tsogo Sun Amashova remains one of the most attractive cycle races, both for South Africans and for avid cyclists beyond our borders. We believe the new 150km route and the Gran Fondo World Tour announcements provide even more reasons for cyclists to enter this challenging and scenic race. These developments are very exciting for the City of Durban and the KZN region from a tourism perspective, with the potential to have a positive economic impact,” says Ravi Nadasen, COO of Tsogo Sun hotels.

Batchelder added that there are other new developments cyclists and spectators can expect this year. These include a healthy living and cycling expo that will see top brands, products and services showcasing their goods to the public prior to race day.

To enter the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic, go to www.shova.co.za.