All set for battle of bike stars
● Cycle Tour countdown begins
With just two weeks to go until the official closing date for The Herald Continental Cycle Tour 2019, professional riders have been putting in the kilometres for a possible shot at a podium position.
The 106km Coastal Classic will start on Sunday February 24 at 6am and the 55km Pursuit at 8am.
The two highly contested races are preceded by the Team Relay Challenge and Junior Cycle Tour races, on Saturday February 23.
All the road races start and finish at the action-packed Race Village at Pollok Beach.
For Team Alfa BodyworksGiants, the goal for this year’s 106km Coastal Classic is simple: “We want to win it!” team manager Hannes van der Walt said.
The Alfa Bodyworks-Giants team members are Bernard Esterhuizen, Brandon Christians, Chris Cronje, HB Kruger, Byron Munton and Rianhardt Marais.
“The guys did lots of base miles over December and January with lots of track racing in December for some speed work,” Van der Walt said.
“We did the Western Cape road champs in January over 147km. Most of the guys have their own personal trainers and everybody will be sharp and ready by February.”
Another professional team to look out for is ProTouch Continental, with team members Reynard Butler, Mitchell Eliot, Myles Van Musschenbroek, Pieter Seyffert, Callum Ormiston, Ryan Terry and Qhawe Mdluli.
The team will be competing in The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s Coastal Classic for the first time.
Defending women’s champion in the 106km Coastal Classic, Maroesjka Matthee from Team Ciovita, said event organisers made the elite riders feel at home every year.
“They manage the event exceptionally well, and I, along with my team, really appreciate that,” she said.
“Other than hospitality, I will always support the event as women have a ladies-only start and equal prize money.”
The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s Mountain Bike Challenge takes place on Sunday February 17 at the Addo Polo Club in Addo.
Last year’s 80km Extreme winner in the men’s category was professional cyclist Gert Heyns, riding for Team DSV, who is looking to win again in 2019.
“I enjoy racing The Herald because it is one of the biggest events of the early racing season,” he said.
“To have three victories to my name would be really special. I will also have my teammate, Arno du Toit, with me this year.
“We now have two chances at victory for the team and I am sure having two riders that could go for the top step will count in our favour.”
The 80km Extreme defending champion in the women’s category is Yolande de Villiers riding for her new team, Team Altes Landhaus powered by Mad Macs Kawasaki.
“I love racing in the beautiful Eastern Cape. The trails are superb, and the people are friendly,” she said.
Other mountain bike challenges taking place on Sunday February 17 include a 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure and 5km Kiddies Race, as well as a 500m Toddler Dash.