Fresh new start for iconic Cape Town Cycle Tour

New kick-off point after strong winds put paid to this year’s event

AFTER strong winds forced the cancellation of this year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour, the promised wind of change has finally been made. The organisers of the Cycle Tour have made a decision to move the starting point from its traditional starting block opposite the City of Cape Town Civic Centre to the Grand Parade near the Castle of Good Hope.

This year’s event was called off after four groups left the starting line with wind speeds measuring 100km/h. About 35 000 riders entered the iconic race, among them more than 4 000 from abroad.

“Following the discussions with our stakeholders and the City of Cape Town we have decided to move the start to the Grand Parade precinct,” David Bellairs, the director of marketing, media and sponsorship said.

“There were many factors that we had to take into consideration before making the decision. In the 40 years of the cycle tour, we have had only three years of severe wind. This year we were incredibly unfortunate,” he said.

Since March, Bellairs said they have been hard at work mitigating the potential risk of what could’ve happened on that day. Bellairs also said that those who participated in the event this year would be receiving preferential treatment. Bellairs also added that the reason why they couldn’t provide any refunds for the participants is because the funds were already used for community projects. He also disputed claims that the event was cancelled due to civil unrest. On the day of the event a protest was held by Masiphumelele residents. This was to draw attention to land issues in the community.

Also present at the briefing yesterday was mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith. Smith used the platform to lay out the City’s plans for the iconic Grand Parade.

“The City has decided that we will be investing in the Grand Parade – it’s a huge asset for us,” Smith said. Smith also said that the event brings a huge amount of revenue into our local economy.

Questions were raised about the vendors who operate on the Grand Parade. Bellairs said that they are in talks with the City.

“I think the whole point of informal traders on these trading spaces is to protect them as much as possible. We will have to see the space required to make this event a success and perhaps reposition them,” Smith said. –