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Msunduzi Road Challenge entries open

4 August 2011

Entries for the inaugural Msunduzi Road Challenge, part of the UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT), opened earlier this week. The event takes place in Pietermaritzburg in October.

A mass-participation road event, the Msunduzi Road Challenge serves a dual purpose by offering enthusiasts an all-new road cycling challenge in the KwaZulu-Natal capital, which has become a popular cycling hub.

It also offers seasoned competitors an opportunity to qualify for the one-off UWCT Final in 2012. Previously, they were known as the UCI Masters Road World Championships.

Pietermaritzburg's Alexandra Park will serve as the start/finishvenue. It has successfully hosted the finish of the world-famous Comrades Marathon on many occasions previously.

Options

Participants have a number of options to choose from: 180 kilometres, 111 kilometres or 90 kilometres. The time trial covers 27 kilometres.

Provisional route maps have been and can be viewed by visiting www.msunduziroadchallenge.co.za.

The online entry closing date is 30 September, and entries can be made through CyclingSA's website at this link.

Early bird entries will score as the first 2 500 entries are guaranteed a sample bag of goodies. Late entries will be accepted until Friday, 21 October, but will incur an additional nominal charge of R50.

Event information

Date
Saturday, 29 October and Sunday, 30 October

Venue
Alexandra Park, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal

Road Race (Qualifiers for the UWCT Final must enter as per their age category below – recreational riders can enter any distance they wish)

Men: 16-29 / 30-34 / 35-39 / 40-44 / 45-49 = 180km
Men: 50-54 / 55-59 / 60-64 = 111km
Men: 65+ = 90km
Women: 30-34 / 35-39 / 40-44 / 45-49 = 111km
Women: 50-54 / 55-59 / 60-64 / 65+ = 90km

Time trial
All – 27km

Entry fees
Road Race – R200 ($30 or €25)
Time Trial – R120 ($20 or €15)

Start times
To be confirmed

Participants are able to purchase an exclusive commemorative event shirt together with their entry submission via the CyclingSA website - the shirt is to be collected at registration. The cost is R165.

For general event queries, contact Alec Lenferna at alec@realem.co.za, and for all entry-related queries contact Tarryn Duncan at tarryn@cyclingsa.com.

About the UCI World Cycling Tour

The UCI World Cycling Tour, which was launched earlier this year, is a new cycling tour for amateur riders that will ultimately crown age group world champions.

It is made up of a series of UCI-sanctioned races that will be held all over the world.

In future, the UWCT plans to have a maximum of 15 qualifier events. It is expecting to have 10-12 qualifying races by 2012, all of which will lead to the UWCT Final.

The top 25% of finishers in each age group of the qualifier events will automatically have the right to compete in the UWCT Final and race for the coveted UCI rainbow jersey.

Another aim of the new initiative is to contribute to the international promotion of the UCI's "Cycling for All" events.

All races on the UWCT calendar must meet strict organisational and sporting criteria, and provide a certain touristic interest.

SAinfo reporter