Lorraine Cycle Tour unaffected by canned Africa Cup
The Lorraine Cycle Tour is poised to make another positive impact on the sport in Nelson Mandela Bay when the annual tour takes place at Lorraine Primary on Saturday.
Although the Africa Cup, meant to have taken place over the same period, has been cancelled, race director Alex Cooper said this would have absolutely no bearing on the event.
“The race, which is one of the longest-running events in the city, is definitely on and we are looking forward to another bumper event,” he said of the tour, which is sponsored by Africa Bank, Mecer and Strada.
In 2018, Rohan du Plooy (Alfa Bodyworks-Giant) and Port Elizabeth’s Anriette Schoeman (Africa Silks-Bestmed) took the men’s and women’s honours respectively, and Cooper said another fiercely contested race was expected.
Schoeman has become an iconic figure at the event, having won the title 18 times.
The 80km feature event will start and end in Dijon Road, at the back of Lorraine Primary.
The tour caters for cyclists of all levels, who may also enter 50km and 30km events.
“The Giant team from Cape Town have again entered and are always a strong outfit, while cyclists from the Southern Cape and Nelson Mandela Bay will also be in the mix,” Cooper said.
One of the big incentives to make the podium this year is a special edition medal to celebrate Lorraine Primary’s 75th anniversary.
“This is a really beautiful medal, bigger than the normal ones, and will go to those who finish on the podium.”
Online entries close at midnight on Monday and registration is at the school on Friday from 4-7pm.
The 80km race will start at 6.30am, the 50km at 7am and the 30km event at 7.15am.
There will also be a walk expected to attract about 500 people.
While the main focus would be the road events, Cooper said they had planned a festive atmosphere, catering for spectators and children.
There will be face-painting, jumping castles, train and tractor rides, a kids’ zone, stalls, entertainment and live streaming of the cycling.