Huge field for Cycle Challenge
Lesego Madumo
2 November 2009
Johannesburg's Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, the world's second-biggest individually timed mass-participation cycle race, takes place on 15 November with a prize purse of R360 000 – and over 23 000 cyclists already entered.
The organisers say that figure will increase over the next few weeks as all entry forms are processed. Entries closed last month.
Johannesburg's biggest cycling spectacle, now in its 13th year, comprises a 180km race for professional cyclists and a 94.7km race for amateurs and beginners.
The Cycle Challenge has been recognised by cycling's world governing body, the UCI, as a model to the cycling world, and it continues to show fantastic growth as the organisers push for the entry one day to eclipse that of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.
Route
This year, the Challenge starts from the front entrance of the Vodacom World of Golf, on the corner of Maxwell Drive and the R55, in Midrand.
The route remains largely the same as last year, although there will be a few detours because of extensive road works taking place around the city. The inner city route will also change; however, it is still 94.7 kilometres long.
From the start, the cyclist will head to the N1, take the inner city loop of the M1 South, along the M2 East and up Joe Slove Drive and back along Jan Smuts Avenue. They will pass through CosmoCity and Diepsloot to the finish outside the Waterfall Country Estate gatehouse, back in Midrand.
'New energy'
Tanya Harford, the race organiser, says that with a new sponsor, participants and residents should anticipate changes to cycle routes and other logistical issues. "Momentum's involvement has brought a new energy to the event, and this year there are some noteworthy changes," she says.
One of these is the permanent start and finish venue at the Waterfall Country Estate gatehouse, situated between Woodmead and Midrand and near the Ben Schoeman Highway between Pretoria and Johannesburg; its boundaries are formed by Allandale Road, the World of Golf, and Woodmead Drive.
Harford says the new venue will offer participants brand new infrastructure, ample parking space, and lush fields for hospitality areas.
'Round the city' loop
One of the biggest changes to the route this year is the new "round the city" loop.
Last year, cyclists were taken right through the centre of Joburg, which offered an interesting perspective of the CBD.
This year, however, race organisers have chosen to take participants around the city, along the freeways. The new route was designed to be safer and will offer a smoother ride with fewer intersections, twists and turns, according to Harford. It also allows for easier traffic management.
Different perspective
Cyclists will get a different perspective on the inner city – looking over the Nelson Nelson Mandela Bridge, the Carlton Centre, Ellis Park Stadium and the iconic Ponte City.
"This year, the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge is everyone's race, which includes the residents and supporters who come out to cheer on the participants and enjoy a day that celebrates Joburg and its people," says Ravi Naidoo, the 94.7 Highveld Stereo station manager.
"Momentum has taken all 10 water points for its different business units and they will be creating a great vibe on the sidelines. In addition, there will be numerous places en route for supporters to gather and enjoy the event from the sidelines, including a big supporters area at the halfway mark on Witkoppen Road."
Professional teams
A highlight this year is the number of professional teams that have entered, Harford notes, adding that Malcolm Lange and Anriette Schoeman, the winners of last year's men's and women's elite races, will be defending their titles.
"All the top teams – men and women – have entered, and we expect a big turnout in the elite ladies and men's events, as there is R360 000 up for grabs in prize money, and gold coins from the SA Gold Coin Exchange."
Three 94.7 Highveld Stereo presenters will be taking part; Paul Rotherham from the Rude Awakening breakfast show will be entering his 11th Cycle Challenge; and Derek Alberts and Bailey Schneider from the afternoon drive show will be attempting their first cycle challenge.
Live television coverage
As always, Harford says the race will be broadcast live on Supersport 1 and then repeated from 18:00 until 22:00 on that Sunday night.
The Cycle Challenge is fully endorsed by the City of Johannesburg, and on race day permission for stringent road closures is granted by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, the Gauteng Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works, and the Joburg Roads Agency.
With full road closures, it sets a precedent for worldwide mass participation events and showcases Joburg's ability to host world-class events, says Pippa Rowles, Primedia's public relations and communications co-ordinator.
"The organisers will be pulling out all the stops to ensure the event runs smoothly. This means that numerous roads, including stretches of highways, will be closed on the day and organizers encourage residents to familiarise themselves with these road closures so that they can plan ahead," she says.
"We therefore ask you for your support,patience, and understanding," urges Harford.
Other races
In addition to the main races, there is a 20km children's Cycle Challenge on Saturday, 7 November and a Mountain Bike Challenge, which takes place along a robust, specially designed bike track on Saturday, 14 November. The 40km race starts and finishes inside the country estate.
The race is aimed at raising money for charity, with a chunk of its proceeds earmarked for social responsibility programmes, including the Homeless Talk pre-school in Joubert Park and the Childhood Cancer Association of South Africa (CHOC), which provides care for children diagnosed with cancer.
"The Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge has created and sustains various social responsibility initiatives that benefit local communities. In doing so, the event also creates jobs for over 3 700 people. We encourage you to be part of this momentous event. Support the cyclists along the route and together let's make Joburg the sporting capital of the world - a world-class African city," Rowles says.
For more information about the race, telephone the race office on (011) 463 2743, visit www.cyclechallenge.co.za/a>, or e-mail. As the e-mail address is protected from spam bots, you will need to be JavaScript-enabled to view it.
Source: City of Johannesburg
