Sport

Be part of the Tour of South Africa

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17 February 2011

The Tour of South Africa, featuring cyclists from 24 nations, begins in Pretoria on Saturday, finishing eight days and seven stages later in Paarl. The organisers have put together a list of viewing points across the country to help South Africans become a part of the spectacle.

They're calling on cycling fans and proud South Africans to don their South African colours and get to the side of the road to support the event, which will take in some of the country's most beautiful scenery and heritage sites.

The route was carefully put together with the intention of keeping the riders in the race as long as possible by grouping the more difficult stages nearer the end.

The areas to be visited include Johannesburg, the business centre of Africa; the Eastern Cape, for its unique Safari experience; the southern Western Cape; the Karoo; and the Western Cape and Winelands

Below is a list of suggested viewing points and times when the riders are expected at them. Please be advised that the times provided are estimates and could change depending on the race conditions. They serve as a guide only.

Stage 1: Menlyn Park Shopping Centre to Montecasino

The teams will start at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre on Atterbury Road where they will be introduced to the public during sign on. They will then make their way to the official start in Manta Road. Recommended viewing points for this stage are:

09:30 - Menlyn Park Shopping Centre

10:30 - Government Avenue – Union Buildings

11:15 - Haartebeespoort, about 65km into the race, at approximately 1km from the tunnel there should be a sprint as cyclists come through the tunnel

13:30 – Fourways Mall area and corner Cedar and Witkoppen, heading toward the finish, cyclists will have had a straight road to cycle down before reaching a corner onto Witkoppen

13:51 - The finish area at Montecasino, on Witkoppen Road

Stage 2: Montecasino to Montecasino

The teams will meet and have a mock start in the Piazza area of Montecasino. The start will commence on Witkoppen Road at the end of Montecasino Boulevard. Recommended viewing areas for this stage are:

09:30 – Montecasino Piazza

10:30 – Soweto, Dobsonville road / Vincent Road

10:35 - Near the FNB Stadium, as they will pass through here

11:30 – Nelson Mandela Bridge

11:45 – Jan Smuts toward William Nicol, teams will start making their way toward the first loop

11:50 -Top of Sandton Drive (three laps)

12:10 – Montecasino Boulevard, as cyclists come through as part of the first loop

This will continue on these roads up to 13:45 and until cyclists come up to the finish line on Witkoppen at approximately 14:04

Stage 3: Nelson Mandela Bay to Summer Strand

The start at Nelson Mandela Bay will be spectacular. After the start, much of the race is along quieter roads. However, the next best spots for great viewing on this stage will be:

13:45 at Military Road

14:00 at Brickmakers Kloof

14:20 at the finish opposite the Boardwalk Casino

Stage 4: Bloukrans Bridge to George

The neutral start of Stage 4 will be at the Khoisan Village after which the bunch will make their way to the official start on the Bloukrans Bridge. The majority of the first section of this route will be on the N2 through Natures Valley, heading toward Plettenberg Bay. Once the peloton reach Plettenberg Bay, the best viewing areas for spectators will be:

The Climb out of Happy Valley

11:00 – 11:20 - Circle at Main Street and Marine Drive in Plett

The climb up Piesang Valley out of Plett

12:00 – Hot spot in Knysna, at the Knysna Waterfront and Waterfront Road

13:20 – After Sedgefield, in Wilderness town centre

The small Climbs on the Seweweekpoort roads. The main battle for the stage will be on here

13:50 – York Street at the PW Technical School for the finish

Stage 5: Oudtshoorn to Barrydale

The main start will be in Voortrekker Street at 10:00 after which cyclists head toward Calitzdorp and the first hot spot.

11:00 – Calitzdorp town entry

The Climb of Houwhoek

12:10 – Ladismith, Koning Street