Cyclingnews April 2014 by FullStopCom

For the latest news visit www.cyclingnews.co.za

VOL 15 NO 3

APRIL 2014

MTN-QHUBEKA HIT HIGH NUMBERS IN LANGKAWI REFILL THE TANK

HOW TO REPLENISH WHAT YOU’VE USED

JUANITA HITS HIGH NOTES ON AND OFF THE BIKE

ROAD

TRIPPING BESTMED TOUR DE BOLAND

NIC CLIMBS TO SECOND WIN

CAPE ARGUS PICK N PAY MOMENTUM CYCLE TOUR

NOLAN SLAYS THE DEMON

EMPERORS PALACE CLASSIC

MAREE EYES BACK-TO-BACK WIN

THE BESTMED JOCK

SIMPLY INCOMPARABLE

CONTENTS

PAGE 5:

BESTMED

TOUR DE BOLAND

REGULARS

Editor

From the Editor: On the road again – and in superb style

Wynand de Villiers wynand@cyclingnews.co.za

In the Bunch: Memories of the marine

Consulting editor

Pulse pages: Polar V650 knows it all – and tells you everything

Product Feature: Refill the tank – How to replenish what you’ve used

FEATURES

Nolan slays the demon

Bestmed ASG Team – An experience to treasure

Juanita hits high notes on and off the bike

Cycle Boys on the move – virtually

RACE REVIEWS

Nic climbs to second Tour de Boland win

Nolan ‘over the moon’ after ‘out of this world’ victory

MTN-Qhubeka hit high numbers in Langkawi

RACE PREVIEWS

The Jock – simply incomparable

Emperors Palace Classic: Maree eyes back-to-back win

Entries open for new-look Berg & Bush

Barden Tyres 24-hour MTB challenge: Have fun in the dark – and in daylight too

Gerhard Burger

Contributors Phil Liggett, Coetzee Gouws, Andrew Mclean

Pictures Photosport International, Michelle Cound, Frank Bodenmueller, My Picture

Design Cinnamon Graphix C.C. Chris Dawson – chris@cgraphix.co.za

Printer Colorpress Pty (Ltd) Ryan Lotter – 011 493 8622/3/4/5

Advertising email advertising@cyclingnews.co.za or phone 083 269 7659

Published by ASG Events 116B, Glen Avenue, Willow Glen, Pretoria. Tel no: 012 751 4130/31/32/33 Fax: 086 730 3099

Cyclingnews April 2014

FROM THE EDITOR

On the road again – and in superb style LAST MONTH’S Bestmed Tour de Boland received much acclaim and marked the return of solid road stage racing in the Western Cape. The race was held in pristine conditions and constituted the reunion of a host of former roadies who were dicing it up against each other as they had done in the “old” days. Darren Lill, Waylon Woolcock, Neil Macdonald and Frantisek Rabon were among the former road riders who had migrated to mountain biking but were back on thin wheels again. It was a wonderful sight! Woolcock snatched a win on the 120km stage from Franschhoek to Tulbagh, riding into Tulbagh solo and in fine style. Lill won the queen stage to the top of the Franschhoek Pass. Mountain-bike events are still sprouting up everywhere, but the stature of SA road cycling is as high as it has ever been. And the standard of event presentation is higher than ever. The Tour de Boland and next month’s Mzanzi Tour are excellent examples but the drawing power of road cycling was also illustrated by the ever-increasing numbers in all the big pre-Argus events in Gauteng as well as the 99er in the Western Cape. Importantly, we are also seeing the return of criterium racing, a much-needed form of the sport that shows the wonderful skill and agility of our pro riders to the public. The upcoming Emperors Palace Classic criterium attracts thousands of spectators every year and now the Western Cape is also getting in on the act, courtesy of Lights by Linea sponsoring a series of exciting events to be held in bustling centres all over the Western Cape this year.

Wynand de Villiers

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Cyclingnews April 2014

presents

DATE: 19 July 2014 VENUE: Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit TIMED BY: RaceTec STAGE DISTANCES: Stage 1: Nelspruit – White River: 43km Stage 2: White River – Sabie (via Spitskop): 45km Stage 3: Sabie – Nelspruit (via Long Tom Pass): 63km

ENTRY FEES: 3-stage event: R720 2 stages: R450 1 stage: R180 Spectator Package: R400 R10 of every entry is donated to the Cancer Association of South Africa

STARTING TIMES: Stage 1: 06:30 Stage 2: 09:30 Stage 3: 12:30

ENTER ONLINE: www.asgevents.co.za

ENTRIES CLOSE: 8 July 2014

FOR S E I E ENTR3-STAG THE NT ARE 00 EVE TO 15 S TED LIMI CYCLIST

SPECTATOR PACKAGES Spectators can book a package which will enable them to follow the race in one of the spectator busses and also eat breakfast and lunch with their loved ones taking part in the race. The spectator packages are R400 each (kids under 7 can come along and eat and ride for free with their parent/s)

With every Jock medal worn, again a cyclist is born!

For further enquiries phone the race office on 076 621 1807 or email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za

RACE REVIEW

Words: Coetzee Gouws • Picture: Capcha

NIC CLIMBS TO

second Tour de Boland win Nic Dougall stayed the course up the winding Franschhoek Pass to finish among the leaders and seal his second straight victory in the four-day Bestmed Tour de Boland at the end of a challenging week’s racing in the winelands. THE DEFENDING CHAMPION Dougall won the yellow jersey for the MTNQhubeka feeder team in the individual time-trial to the top of Helshoogte on day one and never relinquished it. He claimed overall honours in 9 hours 53 minutes and 3 seconds, a comfortable 45 seconds clear of Namibia’s Till Drobisch of WCC Africa.

Former Tour of Egypt winner Waylon Woolcock of Cannondale-Blend was third in 9:54:14. Woolcock’s teammate Darren Lill and Kevin Evans of FedGroup-Itec split the peloton to pieces when they launched an attack at the base of the 7km climb to the mountain-top finish.

Lill then shook off Evans to take a spectacular win in 2:52:30 on the 113km stage from Riebeek-Kasteel. James Tennant of Giant hung on tenaciously to finish eight seconds behind the former national road champion, with Jayde Julius (Bonitas) a further eight seconds adrift. >

Cyclingnews April 2014

RACE REVIEW

Lill, who also claimed the king of the mountains jersey, said it had been a good, challenging tour for his team. “Unfortunately I missed the move in the pen-ultimate stage so we couldn’t take the overall, but I don’t think we can be unhappy with two out of four stage wins and a second place in the time-trial.” Dougall said the opening stage, in which he established a 39-second lead, had suited his strengths and that his team had protected him and helped extend his advantage on the hillier road stages. “I started the final climb on third wheel;

Cyclingnews April 2014

all thanks to my team who kept me out of trouble for the preceding 20km. We always knew Darren would be so strong. He’s an incredible rider, so we were lucky we didn’t have to chase him.” Former Franschhoek resident and international track star Nolan Hoffman (Abantu) dominated the sprint hotspots to claim the green jersey. In the women’s race Juanita Venter of Bestmed-ASG was in the lead when he she was dropped on the climb. It resulted in her losing the yellow jersey and a podium spot after an impressive three days.

Swiss dark horse Ariane Kleinhans of RE:CM initiated a series of attacks at the bottom of the pass to finish second on the day and grab a surprise three-second overall victory in 9:42:01. She crossed the line in 3:19:58, a mere 18 seconds behind stage winner and overall runner-up Lise Olivier of VeloLife. An-Li Kachelhoffer (Esmero-Activate Drinks) was third on the day in 3:20:32 to complete the overall podium in 9:43:25. Kleinhans, who won the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum mountain-bike challenge recently, said she had found

RACE REVIEW

it much more difficult to get away on the road. “I knew I had to attack early to make as much time on Juanita as possible. “I attacked in Franschhoek but then Lisa responded; she’s got that kick that I just couldn’t match. So I just gave it my absolute all to get up the climb.” She said her victory had come as somewhat of a surprise, considering that she had not taken any outright stage wins. “That’s probably what a mountain biker’s got – a little bit of consistency – so I just kept on going.” •CN

RESULTS ELITE MEN 1 Nic Dougall 2 Till Drobisch 3 Waylon Woolcock 4 Kevin Evans 5 Johannes Christoffel Nel ELITE WOMEN 1 Ariane Kleinhans 2 Lise Olivier 3 An-Li Kachelhoffer

MTN-Qhubeka Feeder team WCCA Cannondale-Blend

9.53'03" 45" 1'11" 1'22" 2'26"

RECM Velo Life Esmero-Activate

9.42'01" 3" 1'24"

JERSEY WINNERS Overall Yellow Jersey: Nic Dougall (WCCA MTN Qhubeka Feeder) Green Points: Nolan Hoffman (Abantu) Polka Dot King of Mountains: Darren Lill (Cannondale Blend)

Cyclingnews April 2014

IN THE BUNCH with coetzee gouws

Memories of the Marine

My dad was a born storyteller and it was through his tales that I first fell in love with the sport of cycling. SOME OF THESE were about Martin Nefdt, Willie Marx and Carl Mulder whose exploits packed out the Westbourne Oval in Port Elizabeth every weekend. He explained that Nefdt and Marx had no equals in a short sprint and that a wily Mulder, who also had a good road pedigree, would often start the sprint at the bell because what he lacked in speed, he made up for in stamina. In the sixties, the Oval was pure theatre and the riders were the actors. Although they played to the crowd, it was not make-believe like The Bold and Beautiful; they were reality stars à la Survivor. The newspapers would play up the various rivalries during the week and on race day the public would stream in to see the battles unfold. These riders were undoubtedly the celebs of their time. Although my dad would possibly be best remembered for his performances on the badminton courts around the Bay, he also dabbled in track cycling as a contemporary of these superstars. He didn’t come from a privileged background and was forced to make ends meet by working as a crane driver on the harbour at odd hours, which ultimately cut his racing career short. A journalist once wrote, he told me, that Neft, Marx, Mulder and he were future provincial stars (in the years when it still meant something).

He stopped shortly afterwards, and they became Springboks. Another story I found interesting was that they would train at the Oval before dawn and – if they had arrived separately – often only became aware of each other when one of them caught up to the other. There was also a tale of butter being used instead of Vaseline or grease to lube the bearings in the bottom bracket. Apparently it was smooth as silk, but only good for one race meeting (I suspect that excluded the 25k). My dad sold his DHC for a Ford Corsair and opted for extra shifts at the harbour to start building a better future for himself, which included meeting his soon-to-be wife at a badminton do. Apart from being introduced to each other through sport, my mom was never really into it. My dad, on the other hand, didn’t really care for much else. This rubbed off on me and my early years were spent on cricket fields and tennis courts or, on Saturday afternoons, on the couch watching Sport ‘79, Sport ‘80 and so forth. However, it was always my dad’s cycling stories that intrigued me most. One of their staple rides on their track bikes was around “the Marine”, a wind-swept, flattish circular course of around 40 kilometres that we often drove as a family on Sunday afternoons.

“The newspapers would play up the various rivalries during the week and on race day the public would stream in to see the battles unfold. These riders were undoubtedly the celebs of their time.”

Cyclingnews April 2014

I always wanted to live that memory and so, in standard six, I rounded up a friend one Saturday morning and we set out to do it on our school transporters, including padkos on the carriers. That signalled the end of what could have been a fine tennis or cricket career and the start of my cycling journey. Although I can honestly say I hated the stress of racing, I simply loved riding my bike. I rose through the ranks to a point where I too had to make a decision between fun and future. Like many schoolboys, I had envisioned myself turning pro one day, but without much “old money” floating around the family, my sense of responsibility prevailed and I opted for the books while earning pocket money as a freelance cycling journalist.

It was a bitter pill to swallow to stand on the sidelines reporting on races that I knew I could have been winning, but as my working career took off I realised that I was indeed making a living off the sport; something very few of my contemporaries could say. If I were brutally honest, I had at times resented my parents for not giving us better career guidance while we were growing up. The first time the topic was broached was after I had completed my military service and I asked the question, “What now?”. However, it wasn’t until very recently that I realised the role that my dad had unwittingly played in forming my career. He planted the seed that grew into a passion, which eventually bore a business. Now I’m wondering whether this wasn’t the best career guidance ever. •CN

What memories are made of... Willie Marx pips Martin Nefdt to the line in the 1967 SA Track Championships.

17th EDITION

walkerville mountain bike classic

GAUTENG’S FAVOURITE (AND COLDEST!) WINTER CHALLENGE

DATE: 13 July 2014 VENUE: Walkerville Showgrounds GPS COORDINATES: (26 24 17S and 27 57 48E) DISTANCES: 60km & 30km STARTING TIME: 60km: 08:30, 30km: 09:30 ENTRY FEES: 60km (R190), 30km (R150)

ONLINE ENTRIES:

www.asgevents.co.za

ONLINE ENTRIES CLOSE: 6 July 2014

For further enquiries phone the race office on 076 621 1807 or email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za

RACE REVIEW

Pictures: Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust

Nolan ‘over the moon’ after

‘out of this world’ victory Nolan Hoffman from Team Abantu won the 2014 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour, clocking an impressive time of two hours 39 minutes and 1 second, despite wind speeds of up to 83km/h at the start. MERONE HAGOS, an Eritrean from the Team MTN Qhubeka feeder team, was second, with HB Kruger from Team Bonitas third in a tough battle for podium spots in the 37th “Argus”. After ten attempts and three podium finishes, 28-year old Hoffman was “over the moon” when he won this year’s race.

“Cape Town’s weather is always unpredictable and the conditions out there were extremely tough,” he said. “My team-mates rode a perfect tactical race and controlled it as much as possible. Suikerbossie was a killer. I have never had to dig so deep to conquer a climb. I’m really happy to win the biggest race on the cycling calendar.

To win is incredible, but to win the Cycle Tour is out of this world.” In the women’s race, Cherise Stander from Team RECM claimed the gold medal with a time of two hours 51 minutes, holding off stiff competition from Anriëtte Schoeman of Team Bestmed Africa Silks. Team Active Drinks’ An-Li Kachelhoffer came third. >

Cyclingnews April 2014

RACE REVIEW

Stander, who completed her 15th Cycle Tour, said the event was the highlight of her year. “It was extremely fast-paced and aggressive, especially with the wind, which was a big factor. It was gusty out there so we had to be very careful about bunch positioning and had to dig deep on the climbs. I’m really happy with my win.” A new addition to this year’s event was the Alain Huchon Trophy, awarded to the first non-licensed international rider that crossed the finish line. Joachim Pettersen from Norway completed the route in 2:50:51 to become the first recipient. David Bellairs, a director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust that organises the annual event, said: “By ten past four, the medical teams, under the expert guidance of Mediclinic’s Dr Basil Bonner, had responded to 198 high-priority incidents of which 59 were referred to hospital. “At that time, 33 had been confirmed as fractures of various natures.” Dr Bonner said there were indications that, with the wind keeping temperatures

Cyclingnews April 2014

down, there were fewer cases of dehydration and heat-related issues. “Interestingly, the wind was a key factor in reducing the number of overall incidents as participants opted for safety ahead of speed.” Despite the adverse weather in the early hours, and what can only be described as testing conditions, at least

34 500 cyclists started the world’s largest timed cycling event on Hertzog Boulevard. Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, Pick n Pay chairman Raymond Ackerman, Cape Argus editor Jermaine Craig and Momentum’s head of brand Danie van den Bergh fired the starting gun at 06:15. •CN

RESULTS ELITE MEN 1 Nolan Hoffman 2 Meron Hagos 3 HB Kruger 4 Calvin Beneke 5 Fran Rabon ELITE WOMEN 1 Cherise Stander 2 Anriëtte Schoeman 3 An-Li Kachelhoffer 4 Jennie Stenerhag 5 Carmen Buchacher

Team Abantu Team MTN Qhubeka Feeder Team Bonitas Team Europcar SA Meerendal-Songo-Specialized

2:39:31 2:39:31 2:39:31 2:39:31 2:39:31

Team RECM Team Bestmed Africa Silks Team Activate Drinks Team CBC

2:51:00 2:51:31 2:53:39 2:56:45 2:57:19

RACE PREVIEW

Words: Wynand de Villiers • Picture: Wayne Hayward

THE JOCK –

simply incomparable After 30 memorable years, the Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique is one of the pillars of the sport in South Africa. THE SECOND OLDEST cycling event in South Africa after The Argus “The Jock” will he held for the 31st time this year. In began in 1982 when the organisers of the Onderberg Banana Festival in Malalane asked the Barberton Cycling Club to organise a race that would start in Barberton and end in Malalane. This would form part of the festivities. The Banana Festival Tour started at 06:30. Of the 27 cyclists, 14 were members of the Barberton club. The others were from the Lowveld area and Cresta Wheelers in Randburg.

Cyclingnews April 2014

The first leg ended at Lowveld Motors in Nelspruit. The participants rode to White River for lunch before adding a time trial to Karino. From there they were taken taken by truck to Kaapmuiden Primary School, where they started the last leg of the race to the festival grounds in Malalane. In July 1984, the same route was used and 57 cyclists took part. Croxons Garage sponsored five Barberton participants. In 1985 the name of the race was changed to The Jock 150km Tour. The route was changed accordingly to

five stages: Barberton to Nelspruit, on to White River and then by truck to Karino. From there to Kaapmuiden and Noordkaap, and the last stage back to Barberton. A total of 108 riders took part. In 1986 there were 212 riders and in 1987 the number shot up to 408. In 1988 the entries hit the 600 mark, making it hard to transport so many riders from one point to the other, so the route was changed to four stages. For the next three years the route stayed the same and the number of participants increased to more than 1 000. >

RACE PREVIEW

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Jock is known as true test of cycling ability through some of the most spectacular riding terrain in the world.â&#x20AC;?

Former South African champion Jay Thomson (right) added his name to the Jock winner's list in 2006 and still regards the event as the truest test of single day road riding form in South Africa.

Cyclingnews April 2014

RACE PREVIEW

WITRIVIER

SABIE

1600

Elevation (m)

1400

1200

1000

800

600 20

100

120

140

Distance (km)

THE 2014 ROUTE – 151 km, THREE STAGES, ONE DAY The 43km first stage starts at 06:00 at the Mbombela Stadium near Nelspruit and includes 20km of hard pedalling on gradients of between two and six per cent. The major obstacle is the challenging Heidel Eggs climb, which is 2 km long. The stage finishes along the White River Road with breakfast at Rob Ferreira High School. At 09:00, the 45km second stage begins. The riders head out towards Sabie, over the 7km Spitskop climb. For those who make it over the top, a welcome lunch break awaits at Sabie Primary School. After lunch, at 12:30, the 63km final stage takes the riders back to Nelspruit via Long Tom Pass. The last stage begins with 10 km of tough climbing up the pass. After that, it is mostly downhill and the joys of cycling accompany the riders into Nelspruit.

The format changed again in 1992 when the race was reduced to three stages. Timekeeping became omportant as it had changed from a fun ride to a more competitive race, attracting all the big names in SA cycling. In 2001 the Jock Cycle Tour changed its status. It became a Classic on the calendar and more than 1 300 cyclists took part in a well-organised event. In 2003 it was changed to one of only five Super Classics in the country and there were about 1 800 riders. The Jock is known as true test of cycling ability through some of the most spectacular riding terrain in the world. Cyclists delight in the scenery and the atmosphere of camaraderie among the riders and those alongside the road, and

Cyclingnews April 2014

at the breakfast and lunch stops in White River and Sabie, makes it a memorable event, year after year. It now starts and finishes at the impressive Mbombela Stadium, built for the 2010 football World Cup tournament, which adds to the experience. Many riders return each year and try to improve their best time, but just to finish the race remains a special achievement. That's why the race motto is: “With every Jock medal worn, again a cyclist is born.” The names of riders who have won the race seem to come from the Who’s Who of SA cycling. Among them are Rodney Fowler, Ross Grant, Alan Van Heerden, Mark Beneke, Gary Beneke,

Willie Engelbrecht, Robbie McIntosh, Anton Oberholzer, Jannie de Beer, Jock Green, Andrew Mclean, Morne Bester, Malcolm Lange, Robert Hunter, Jacques Fullard, Jay Thomson, Kosie Loubser, Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg and Ian McLeod. Among the names of the women who have won are Ronel van Wyk, Annette Loubser, Elsa Karsten, Anriette Schoeman and Anke Erlank. Twenty lead-out vehicles, 16 motorcycles and more than 150 metro police officials and marshals combine to ensure the safety of riders. Entries can be done on-line on the state-of-the-art ASG Events entry page. For updates, find the race on Facebook or follow @jockcycle. •CN

RACE REVIEW

Picture: Photosport International

MTN-Qhubeka hit

high numbers in Langkawi Nine top-ten stage places, a second and sixth place overall on general classification, and winners of the team classification title. That is what Team MTN-Qhubeka, powered by Samsung, achieved at the recent Tour de Langkawi. DIRECTEUR SPORTIF Kevin Campbell was understandably proud of the success of Africa’s first continental professional cycling team. “I’m very pleased with the way the team raced. Finishing as the first team, and second and sixth on GC, is a great result for this young team. “Our goal was to win the tour and we came really close. Racing nine flattish stages with a team of young climbers, with only Youcef being a fast finisher, was never going to be easy but we were in the mix every day,” said Campbell. Young Eritrean Merhawi Kudus held on to his second place on GC from stage 4, and with relative ease. “I’m very happy to have finished second. I think I was the best on the Genting climb, and I know I can win that stage next time,” he said. “For the rest of the race I just stayed out of trouble. I must thank my team for their support. We rode really well together.” Leaving Malaysia, Campbell and Kudus already had their sights set on their next objectives. “We have a full European programme ahead now and the experience and confidence gained here are sure to be good for the riders,” said Campbell. Kudus added: “I am happy to go to Italy now. I can’t wait for the next races and in particular I’m looking forward to Giro del Trentino and the Tour of Austria.” •CN

Cyclingnews April 2014

RESULTS OVERALL 1 Mirsamad Pourseyedigolakhour (IRI) 2 Merhawi Kudus (Eri) 3 Isaac Bolivar Hernandez (Col) 4 Esteban Chaves (Col) 5 Petr Ignatenko (Rus) 11 Louis Meintjes (RSA) TEAM 1 MTN - Qhubeka 2 Tabriz Petrochemical Team 3 Androni Giocatolli - Venezuela 4 Colombia 5 CCN Cycling Team

Tabriz Petrochemical Team MTN - Qhubeka UnitedHealthcare Orica GreenEdge Team Katusha MTN - Qhubeka

35:07:16 0:00:08 0:00:11 0:00:20 0:00:36 0:01:41

105:24:35 0:01:38 0:08:52 0:09:59 0:11:14

RACE PREVIEW

Maree eyes back-to-back

win at Emperors After an early season of working towards team goals, David Maree will be hoping to defend his title at the Emperors Palace Classic in Johannesburg on Sunday, April 13. THE SEVENTH EDITION of the late autumn event, presented by ASG, promises top-flight racing as many of the country’s pro teams will have completed the five-stage Mzansi Tour the previous day. “My legs will surely be sore after the tour, which isn’t ideal,” conceded Team Abantu’s Maree, when asked about the possibility of back-to-back titles in the one-day classic. “But the tour also gives you a mental advantage, having raced the previous few days and having been in that frame of mind.” The Bryanston-based all-rounder said he would definitely be targeting a second victory in the 102km feature race, which starts and finishes at the casino resort. “There are a few good hills on the route that play to my strengths and will give me the opportunity to gain some time over the bunch. “If the race is in our favour and I manage to stay away with a few strong riders, then there’s a good chance for me to win.” Should it come down to a bunch sprint, he said a fast man like teammate Nolan Hoffman – who has already won the green jersey in the Bestmed Tour de Boland and the Argus title this season – would be more likely to take it. “Apart from the sprinters, guys like HB Kruger (Bonitas) and Calvin Beneke (Europcar SA) might get away. Even someone like Tyler Day might try to slip into the move.” Maree has been something of a dark

horse this season, not appearing on the podium but helping his teammates to some high-profile results. Most notable was his powerhouse display over Suikerbossie that helped set up Hoffman’s maiden victory in the Argus last month. “I had a very good ride at Argus and I’m very happy that we won the race,” said the 24-year-old. “We’ve just come back from a training camp in Nelspruit and I’m feeling confident about my form.” Although Maree has been going well since the start of the season, he has had some bad luck along the way, including puncturing out of the break at the Carnival City Macsteel Classic in February. That will not deter him however from his focus on retaining the king of the mountains jersey at Mzansi Tour. “I’m setting my sights on a top five in the GC. Last year I was second on stage two, so as a bonus I would like to win one this time.” The Emperors Palace Classic will finish off with a European-style criterium as a special treat for spectators. More than 6 000 cyclists are expected to turn out for the weekend festival that starts with the mountain bike races on the Saturday and concludes with the road and criterium races on the Sunday. For more information, contact ASG Events on 076 621 1807 or e-mail eventsupport@asgworld.co.za. Go to www.facebook.com/ emperorsclassic or @emperorsclassic for updates. •CN

Team Abantu’s David Maree will be aiming to defend his title at this year event.

Cyclingnews April 2014

PULSE PAGES

Picture: Karin Schermbrucker/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

POLAR V650 KNOWS IT ALL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AND TELLS YOU EVERYTHING Polar rolled out its new Polar V650 earlier this year and for cyclists who value heart-rate training it is simply a must-have. THE STATE-OF-THE-ART bike computer has been designed for devoted cyclists who want to analyse every aspect of their riding. Its integrated GPS lets them follow their ride on the large 2.8-inch colour touch screen and track their speed, distance and route. It also offers easy-touse route tracking guidance as well as the most accurate altitude data with the built-in barometric pressure sensor. Powered by Polarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advanced sports technology, the Polar V650 has an innovative, functional and modern product design. Streamlined and weighing only 120 gram, it is easy to attach with the new bike mount.

Cyclingnews April 2014

On the big colour display, cyclists can see at a glance how they are doing. They can switch between views even at high speed with a touch of the screen or by swiping the screen. One can also arrange the information on display as you like and choose which details to be shown during the ride. Moreover, the front-mounted smartvisibility LED light turns on automatically in low-light conditions, enhancing visibility and allowing the rider to be seen in the dark. Besides its versatile GPS functions, the V650 is packed with Polar Smart Coaching features that meet the needs of the most advanced professionals.

When used with the Polar H6 or H7 Bluetooth Smart heart-rate sensor, cyclists can see the health and fitness benefits of training at different intensities, find out how it affects their body and see how long it takes for them to recover and be ready to train again. The Polar V650 is also fully compatible with Bluetooth Smart cycling speed, cadence and power sensors. It can be used together with the free Polar Flow web service, where riders can plan and analyse all the details of their training. The Polar Flow mobile app will be updated later this year so that it will also be compatible with the Polar V650,

PULSE PAGES

allowing users to sync wirelessly and see all their cycling data on the go. Polar are calling the V650 their most advanced bike computer to date. It expands their top product line-up and is much more than just a great device: it is an updatable platform that is part of a whole new connected training system. The combination of the V650, the Polar Flow web service and smart-phone connectivity ensures a great experience. One can always learn more about the rides you have completed, see feedback about training load and recovery, and share ride data and information on routes. Polar V650 has been engineered and designed to make it the highest-quality product of its kind. â&#x20AC;˘CN

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS Altitude (barometer) Ascent/descent Inclinometer Temperature Real-time VAM and altitude compensated kcal Heart rate Bike speed and cadence Future-proof software that is easy to update or upgrade at home via the internet to make sure it always contains the latest improvements 10-hour battery life in training mode Charging and data transfer with standard micro USB cable Display view customisation and creation of bike profiles Free use of the Polar Flow web service and Seamless connectivity with Bluetooth Smart to cycling sensors and the Polar Flow mobile app.

PRODUCT FEATURE

How to replenish what you’ve used

REFILL THE TANK How to replenish lost reserves day after day is a recurring question now that the SA cycling season heads into mountain-bike stage race territory. It is a particularly important one for the Absa Cape Epic riders. MOST CYCLISTS know that if one drains your carbohydrate reserves in one day, it is almost impossible to fully re-fuel before the next day and you will start with a partly empty tank. You must try hard to focus on fuelling your carbohydrate reserves during and after each day’s riding. This is critical to consistent performance in multi-day events. High 5 have emerged as market leaders in endurance supplementation, and we asked them for their suggested replenishment plan during multi-day stage events. Before the racing Breakfast should be light, and high in carbohydrates. Cereals, toast and porridge are good examples. To start your caffeine loading, drink one 750ml bottle of EnergySourceX’treme during the period 60 to 90 minutes before the start. At the same time take EnergyGel PLUS, which contain a moderate caffeine content.

Depending on your weight, take • 50 to 60kg: 1 x EnergyGel Plus • 60 to 70kg: 2 x EnergyGel Plus • 70 to 90kg: 3 x EnergyGel Plus During the event To maximise your carbohydrate intake, you should focus on drinking as much EnergySource 4:1 as possible. Depending on how much you are able to drink, you may need to also take gel to boost your carbohydrate intake. If you drink these amounts of EnergySource 4:1 each hour, you should also take the number of gels shown: • 800 to 1200 ml: no gel • 600 ml: 1 x EnergyGel Plus • 400 ml: 2 x Gels • 200 ml: 3 x Gels The first gel, to be taken every hour, should be EnergyGel Plus (with caffeine). Any remaining gels taken in that hour should be standard EnergyGel (no caffeine).

Sensitive to caffeine? If you have a medical condition or do not wish to use caffeine for any reason, simply substitute each of the above products with the non-caffeine equivalent from High5 and ignore the section on caffeine loading before your event. Anti-cramp strategy Muscle cramps are associated with dehydration and electrolyte deficits and muscle fatigue. Adding Zero Neutral Tabs to your drink boosts the electrolyte content and provides magnesium. This could be particularly useful in hot conditions. After the racing Drink 750ml of Protein Recovery as soon as you finish. Eat a balanced meal one to two hours later. In the late evening, drink 750ml Protein Recovery. When mixed with milk, Protein Recovery is absorbed more slowly and provides a long-lasting feed while you sleep. Notes: • You may substitute IsoGel for EnergyGel if you wish. • These guidelines should provide your body with the maximum amount of carbohydrate it can absorb. Try not to eat anything else, as normal solid food will slow the absorption of the 2:1 Fructose formulation. • If you do feel the urge to eat solid food, stick to rapidly absorbed carbohydrate such as white bread, with just a little spread to help it go down, pasta or the High 5 Energy Bar. Try to stay away from meat and high-fat items such as chocolate. Carbo-loading before an event can increase the amount of carbohydrate you have stored by 30 per cent. Some riders who suffer from cramps may also find that caffeine can make it worse. They could substitute the caffeine products with their non-caffeine equivalents. •CN

Cyclingnews April 2014

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FEATURE

Words: Coetzee Gouws • Pictures: Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust

“We controlled the race going over Chapman’s Peak and that saved me a lot because it neutralised some of the attacks by the other riders.”

Cyclingnews April 2014

FEATURE

NOLAN slays the demon After a decade of near misses, Nolan Hoffman finally clinched the big one: the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour. “IT’S A BIG RELIEF to put this demon to rest because I’ve tried so long to win this race,” Hoffman said after his victory. “I’ve been second twice, third, fifth, seventh and eighth, so it’s been a bit frustrating all these years.” The 29-year-old sprinter carried the hopes of Team Abantu on his shoulders when he lined up at the start of the world’s largest timed cycle race in March. “I’d just come back from the track world champs and my condition was good. For me there’s always a lot of pressure for the big races but this time I was more relaxed and

it worked out pretty well.” The team’s tactics were to get him over the Suikerbossie climb with the least amount of energy spent. “Chapman’s Peak was my biggest concern. If you get dropped there, your job is harder to get back before Suikerbossie and still get positioned up in front for the climb,” he explained “We controlled the race going over Chapman’s Peak and that saved me a lot because it neutralised some of the attacks by the other riders.” >

Cyclingnews April 2014

FEATURE

Knowing that Suikerbossie was where the decisive battle often happens, Hoffman did his best to stay with the climbers but dropped about 15 seconds off the first group. “You can only afford to lose between 15 and 20 seconds there; if you lose more than that, it’s race over. “But I still had David Maree who stayed with me and chased like hell going down the descent. I never saw a small guy go so fast on a downhill!” After winning 60 per cent of the races he entered last year, Hoffman has certainly carved his name in South Africa’s cycling history books. But The Hoff, as he is affectionately known, is far from done. “While the Argus is definitely one of the biggest results of my career, I still want to win the national elite road title too,” he says. The former U23 road champion is probably better known for his exploits on the track, having claimed numerous national titles. In February, at the UCI track world championships in Colombia, Hoffman came fifth in his goal event, the scratch race, after claiming silver in 2012. Averaging 54km an hour, Hoffman says it is the fastest race he has ever done. “I can’t really remember much because it was flat-out the whole way.” About 20 laps in, four riders broke away from the peloton and managed to take a lap, effectively ending any chance of a podium.

Cyclingnews April 2014

“Fifth is still a respectable result and it puts me back in with a chance of winning again. Now I have renewed confidence and can build on bettering the result.” On his return to our shores, Hoffman’s first stop was the four-day Bestmed Tour de Boland. “Coming from the track worlds, it was important to get some road competition in the legs again ahead of Argus. “This year was a really good field and it puts the tour back up there again.” Now based on the West Rand, the former Franschhoek resident says riding the familiar roads felt like coming home.

“Tour de Boland was perfect preparation but the stage finishes weren’t really sprinter friendly.” Nevertheless, he still walked away with the green jersey, ultimately setting himself up as a serious contender for the one-day classic the following weekend. “The green jersey was important for me because a lot of people were looking out for me to do well. I’m from the Boland so it was nice to get it for the fans.” Hoffman will be looking to repeat the feat at the UCI-graded Mzansi Tour in April. •CN

RACE PREVIEW

Words: Coetzee Gouws • Pictures: Kelvin Trautman

Entries open for new-look Berg & Bush

Mountain bikers who signed up from April 1 for this year’s FedGroup Berg & Bush can look forward to some radical route changes, organisers have announced. THE EIGHTH EDITION of the popular stage race, which is fully subscribed year after year, takes place near Winterton in the Central Drakensberg in October. Race director Gary Green said the three-day Descent and Great Trek routes would feature brand-new trails coming down off the escarpment into the Tugela Valley bushveld around Spioenkop. “New farms with great new singletrack have been discovered and we’re also looking at innovative ways to cross Spioenkop Dam. “Our tunnel of floating JoJo tanks that we used to cross the Tugela River washed away in the recent floods, so we’re also investigating new possibilities there.” Green said would-be participants could enter either the three-day races or the original two-day event. “A few riders enter all three and stay for 11 days as they think the riding is that good!” He said the field had been marginally increased to allow cyclists on the waiting list a chance to enter.

“The event is mainly for two-man teams but we do allow solo entries in the Great Trek.” Green said those riders who took part last year would be guaranteed an entry if they signed up and paid in full by April 4. “We really do value their support.” Once the events were fully subscribed, he said additional entrants would be placed on a waiting list and notified via e-mail should spaces become available due to cancellations. While anyone could enter any of the three events, Green said the Descent would be the official prize money race for the men’s and mixed teams. “This year, prize money in the women’s racing category will be awarded only in the Great Trek, while only medals will be given to the first five ladies’ teams in the Descent. “We believe that this option suits the ladies as the Great Trek field is smaller, you get your own tent, great food and roving mechanics to help with mechanicals along the way.” >

“Our tunnel of floating JoJo tanks that we used to cross the Tugela River washed away in the recent floods, so we’re also investigating new possibilities there.”

Cyclingnews April 2014

RACE PREVIEW

Entries for the eighth edition of the FedGroup Berg & Bush mountain bike stage race opened on April 1. The event rolls out in the Central Drakensberg in mid-October.

Cyclingnews April 2014

RACE PREVIEW

Green said riders would also have the opportunity to get involved in the event’s rural library project and donate to the cause during the entry process. The race organisers aim to hand over basic library furniture and new books to four junior farm schools situated near the Emseni Camp race village. “For the children at these schools, reading will be as much a journey of discovery as the race is for our riders.” He said the beneficiary schools would be Schietsdrift Primary near Winterton, Middledale and Ekhukhanyeni schools in the vicinity of Ladysmith and Ekajesu Crèche adjacent to Spioenkop Nature Reserve. Some 500 learners between the ages of three and 13 will benefit from the project. “The book hand-outs will be managed by local farmers’ wives, most of whom are former teachers. If the venture is successful this year, we’ll expand to the senior school in the township where the need is also great.” Green said the idea for the initiative first arose when his son Wesley lent a

Cyclingnews April 2014

local matric pupil a copy of Ian Player’s Zululand Wilderness, as he was desperate to improve his English. “Wes found out that the boy’s teacher subsequently used the book as a class reader as there were no books at all in the school.” Horrified at the situation, Green contacted Lynette Heron who had started a library initiative at Schietsdrift. “Lynette, an ex-teacher, organises students from overseas to help teach and do volunteer work. They have converted an old room, redone the floor, put in some shelves and started a small library. “The school has been taught a filing system but now needs carpets and suitable reading books.” He said many of the children’s parents worked on the mountain bike event as route builders and marshals; therefore it was important to give back to the community wherever possible. “It’s imperative as these people are lacking in basic facilities such as running water, transport, electricity and a good education.

“These things we take for granted but for many locals it just doesn’t exist.” In previous years, the race has been able to donate solar panels and rainwater tanks to local communities, as well as repair 5km of game fence along the boundary of Spioenkop Nature Reserve. Last year, sponsor JoJo Tanks matched riders’ donations and the funds were used to purchase 25 tanks and gutters for households along the route. The FedGroup Berg & Bush kicks off with the Descent on October 10, followed by the Great Trek from October 14 and wraps up with the two-day race from October 18. The three-day routes start near Sterkfontein Dam in the Free State and feature a spectacular drop off the escarpment into KZN, while the two-day event is more suited to first-time stage racers and crosses the picturesque Spioenkop Dam and Game Reserve. Enter at www.bergandbush.co.za. Find the race on Facebook or follow @bergandbush and @FarmerGaryGreen. •CN

MOUNTAIN BIKE

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BIG MTB BASH IS BACK! NE ONLIIES: a ENTRevents.co.z

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DATE: 28 and 29 June 2014 TIMES: Saturday – 40km: 8:00; 20km: 11:00. Sunday – 60km: 9:00 Kiddies Rides: Saturday from 13:00 DISTANCES: 60km, 40km 20km, kiddie’s rides (500m 3-5 year-olds; 5km 6-8 year-olds) ENTRY FEES: 60km: R190, 40km: R170, 20km: R130, Kiddies rides: R50 COMBINED ENTRIES: 20km and 60km: R280; 40km and 60km: R320

Entries and further information on www.asgevents.co.za For bookings at Sondela on 014 736 8900 or email info@sondela.com. Further info on Sondela and directions www.sondela.com

Words: Owen Botha, team manager – Bestmed ASG • Pictures: Capcha

FEATURE

An experience

to treasure To compete in the Tour de Boland and then go on to ride in one of the world’s greatest road races, the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour, is an unforgettable experience. MEMBERS OF the Bestmed ASG team shared wonderful moments and earned invaluable knowledge in these events this year. The Tour de Boland is really something special – a multi-stage event that caters for elite men, elite women, veterans and fun riders. This year, it began with a bang for the Bestmed ASG team. Juanita Venter set the best time in the 20km individual time trial. Second and third were RECM teammates Cherise Stander and Ariane Kleinhans.

Venter, a time-trial specialist, was 48 seconds faster than Stander and the top five finished within 1 minute 25 seconds. This set the stage for the next three days. Stage 2, covering a demanding 126km, started at the beautiful Solms Delta wine farm outside Franschhoek. The route took the riders on an undulating course via Paarl and Paardeberg, finishing in Tulbagh. The team plan was to protect the gold leader’s jersey; no easy task. The women’s bunch was small but included the best SA female cyclists. The pace

was fast from the start, thanks to the well-maintained roads. Four riders escaped 4km from the finish – Juanita Venter, An-Li Kachelhoffer (Active Drink), Kleinhans and Lise Olivier (Velolife). Kachelhoffer won the stage but Venter retained her lead as Kleinhans moved into second place. The 90km stage 3 started in Porterville and the riders went via Piketberg to Riebeek Kasteel. Stander dropped out to prepare for the Argus Cycle Tour, which meant Kleinhans was without a teammate. >

Cyclingnews April 2014

FEATURE

It was a hot and windy day but the peloton’s pace remained steady until the riders reached Piketberg. Team Velolife then started launching numerous attacks off the front and with their numerical advantage Candice Neethling opened a sizeable gap. At one stage she was more than 3 minutes ahead. The task to close the gap rested on the shoulders of Team Bestmed ASG, who managed to cut into Neethling’s lead. She won the stage but was only 36 seconds ahead at the end. Venter retained the leader’s jersey. Stage 4, the final one of the tour, turned into a memorable 113km finale. It started in Riebeek Kasteel and went via Paarl to finish at the top of the Franschhoek Pass. As a resident of Stellenbosch, Kleinhans was the favourite to win the stage because the roads were her training grounds. She is also the Swiss mountain-bike marathon champion and deserved all the respect. A few early attacks came to naught

Cyclingnews April 2014

but the peloton’s pace increased as riders jostled for position before reaching the famous Franschhoek Pass above the beautiful town. Kleinhans, as expected, attacked at the foot of the pass. Her move was quickly covered by Olivier, Kachelhoffer and Venter. A counter-attack by Olivier then split the four front riders. First to drop was Venter whose hard work during the first three days took its toll on her legs. She was simply unable to keep up with the three younger chargers. Olivier went solo to finish first but Kleinhans was first on general classification, a mere 3 seconds ahead of Olivier, with Kachelhoffer third. Venter finished in fourth place. The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour With more than 37 000 participants, the world-renowned event posed many challenges, especially to fit them all into one road.

Team Bestmed fielded five riders; three of them newcomers to the event. The top veteran riders and women were in one start group of 200 cyclists. This resulted in an extremely fast-paced race. A strong southeaster made conditions even harder and there were crashes almost everywhere. Because of the size of the bunch, it was difficult for riders to determine their position in the race. Cherise Stander won the women’s race, followed by Anriëtte Schoeman (Africa Silks Bestmed). Monique Gerber (Bestmed ASG) won the race for junior women and the team had two riders in the top ten overall. Gerber finished eighth and Juanita Venter ninth. The Tour de Boland had clearly taken its toll and the team’s tactics will be reviewed well before the 2015 races. To defend the gold leader’s jersey for the last three stages was too tall an order for the young Bestmed ASG team. •CN

FEATURE

Words: Coetzee Gouws • Picture: Capcha

Juanita hits high notes

on and off the bike

When Juanita Venter retained her national time-trial title and then made it a double in the road race, the veteran showed she was just getting started on the SA racing scene. “I’VE WON THE TIME TRIAL a couple of times before but the road was the everelusive title I wanted to win,” says the 37-year-old. The Bestmed-ASG rider not only achieved the personal goal but also set her course for the UCI amateur road world championships in Slovenia at the end of August. “I’m not sure whether I’ve reached my peak yet. I’d like to compete in the elite category next year but I had to race as a vet to qualify for world champs,” she says. “That said, we have an exceptionally strong field in the veteran category. Odelle Joubert and Greer Wynn are strong competitors who can easily win an elite race.” Venter is looking forward to making her international debut for South Africa. “My main aim will be to podium in the time-trial but I’m also taking part in the road race and I want to do really well.” She certainly seemed to be in top form at the Bestmed Tour de Boland in March, where she took the yellow jersey in the opening time-trial and relinquished it only on the fourth and final road stage. “I believe I have the endurance for tours and I prefer them to the one-day races. Sometimes the classics can be a gamble; in South Africa it mostly comes down to a sprint finish.

“In a tour there are all the different disciplines and it’s never over until you’ve reached the last stage’s finish.” This certainly proved true during the Western Cape tour when mountain biker Ariane Kleinhans of Team RE:CM claimed a surprise overall victory without winning a single stage. “Tour de Boland was a big learning curve for our team,” says Venter. “We made a crucial mistake on day three to let a break get away, but that’s racing, I suppose. Spending energy to chase back three minutes cost us the jersey on day four.” She praised her younger teammates for their passion and dedication to a sport in which women’s racing is often undersupported. “We have a team with great potential and my goal for them is to become the stars of cycling. They went out and rode like superstars.” Venter, a textile designer who lives in Pretoria, has made big strides since taking up social cycling in 2006. “I started teaching spinning classes at the local gym and became more involved in cycling. My results kept on improving and I gained more confidence,” she recalls. Over the past seven years, she has gone from strength to strength, winning the MTN Panorama Tour alongside Andrea Steyn last year. She also won titles in the veterans’ category of the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge and Dome2Dome races.

“I think women gain endurance and wisdom as they get older. It all depends on how much you want something in life.”

Cyclingnews April 2014

RACE FEATURE PREVIEW

She was third overall in the Bestmed Jacaranda Satellite Classic and the Action Ford Krugersdorp Classic last season. “There’s definitely longevity in cycling. I’m very fortunate to have flexible working hours. It makes it easy for me to train and recover.” One “notable” victory that stands out occurred at the end of a series of television shows a few years ago. Hundreds of thousands of viewers watched her pull that one off. “I’ve always had a love of music,” she explains. “So, in 2007 I went for a Noot vir Noot audition in Pretoria. It was a great experience and I went on to win the season. I think I was more surprised at winning it than [presenter] Johan Stemmet was. “And, for the record, I bought my timetrial bike with some of the winnings!” Surprising people with her performances seems to be Venter’s modus operandi and she is far from done. “I think women gain endurance and wisdom as they get older. It all depends on how much you want something in life.” She cites endurance swimmer Lewis Gordon-Pugh’s book 21 Yaks and a Speedo as an important source of inspiration. “His words that really inspire me when I’m tired and on the verge of giving up are: ‘Ask yourself if you can take one more step. If the answer is yes, then take it’.” •CN

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FEATURE

Words: Coetzee Gouws • Picture: Capcha

Cycle Boys on the move – virtually Glen Campbell has never been one to sit still and let opportunities pass. The story of Cycle Boys bears testimony to it. HE WAS ONE of the first qualified spinning instructors in South Africa, and one of very few (if any) to transform a spinning studio into a burgeoning retailer. He still recalls taking on the venture about 12 years ago. “Spinning was very new in the country, so I started the studio at home. Within a few months we had to move to a shopping centre to accommodate the growing numbers.” Campbell says it then became a no-brainer to add a retail component to his business. “It just made sense. Spinning started to fall away after a while and cycling, specifically road cycling, became more popular.” He recalls opening up shop with a mere R8 000. Today, road cycling is still his core business, bucking the trend set by so many bicycle shops that cater more and more to a growing mountain biking clientele. He estimates that as much as 90 per cent of

Cyclingnews April 2014

Cycle Boys is geared towards roadies. “With everyone else stocking mostly mountain bikes these days, there is definitely a gap in the market,” says Campbell, who continues to focus his energy on carving out this special niche. “We mostly stock the French brand CKT (which is imported), as well as some smaller ones like Avalanche and Titan. You won’t easily find these in the larger retail chains.” His road-focused strategy extends to providing top local pro outfit Team Bonitas with an after-market service for their CKT bikes. “Although their team mechanics do the tech support, we take care of warrantee-related issues.” His shop, in Kempton Park near Johannesburg, also offers the full complement of services and setups. Campbell, with his hands-on approach, does many of the services himself.

He is now planning to roll out a virtual retail store to service this need in the marketplace. “We’ll cater for everyone from total novices to professionals; everything in one place. “It will allow us to offer our wares at a lower price than we can at a bricks-andmortar shop.” Along with the planned online shop expansion, Campbell has a tandem development team in the pipeline. “Everyone is into developing road and mountain biking, but no one is putting riders on tandems,” he explains. His love affair with the sport can be traced back to when he started cycling in his matric year. Since then he has plied his trade with various pro teams. Last year, he won the national title in the tandem category, but his triumph was followed by devastating news. “I was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer,” he says. “It changes your life in a big way. You want to spend time with your family and at the same time you need to think about the future of your business.” Campbell is maintaining a positive frame of mind and, as always, is focused on turning opportunity into opulence; virtually speaking. Contact Cycle Boys on 011 391 8144 or e-mail cycleboys@absamail.co.za. •CN

RACE PREVIEW

Have fun in the dark –

and in daylight too It’s different, delightful and as demanding as you want it to be. And just about the most fun you can have on two wheels. DATE 29 and 30 March 2014

VENUE Rosemary Hill, 257 Mooiplaats, N4 East, Exit 18 (Donkerhoek), Pretoria Gates open at 07:30 for teams to set up camp

REGISTRATION 24-hour event – 08:30 onwards 6-hour event – 12:30 onwards

START TIMES: 24-hour race: Saturday 10:00 - Sunday 10:00 6-hour race: Saturday 14:00 to 20:00

ROUTE FEATURES: Dams, forests, grassy plains, ruins, floating bridge and a shebeen

FORMAT AND COST 24-hour: solo – R290; team of 2 – R550; team of 4 – R990; team of 6 – R1 490; team of 8 – R1 870 6-hour: solo – R180; team of 2 – R280; team of 4 – R500

Cyclingnews April 2014

IT’S THE BARDEN TYRES 24-hour mountain-bike challenge, presented by ASG, which will be held at Rosemary Hill near Pretoria from 10:00 on March 29 to 10:00 on March 30. In addition to the day-and-night cycling for individuals and teams, the event offers a feast of single track over ASG’s marvellous Rosemary Hill MTB track. And there is a lot to enjoy off the bike, too. Participants will set up their own camp site near the start, where music, bonfires and various activities will help keep them “pumped up”. Warm showers, flushing toilets and food and drinks will be available, not to mention Rosemary Hill’s special coffee for those in need of a boost. Prizes include an array of ASG brands specific to mountain biking as well as other sponsored products. The 24-hour format combines endurance and night riding in a social environment. In addition to the competition among solo riders, there are relays in which teams of 2, 4, 6 and 8 will compete; all striving to complete as many laps as possible within 24 hours, with only one team member out on the track at any time. Tactics are extremely important because

teams have to decide who should ride when, how many laps each rider should complete at a time, and when to take a break for rest, sleep and nutrition. Teams and solo riders are free to decide how much (or how little) they want to ride, and how much time they want to spend swapping stories around their fire. After all, the idea is to maximise the enjoyment and experience of all participants. Solo riders, of course, will be out to earn ultimate bragging rights in mountain biking. There are two routes, each approximately 10km long, to make things more interesting and to provide variety in terms of terrain and features. Whether you are an experienced rider or a novice, you can be sure that the event will accommodate all participants. Those who can’t make the full 24 hours have the option of taking part in a six-hour challenge, riding from 14:00 to 20:00 on the same course and according to the same rules as the 24-hour event. The participants will therefore also experience the thrill of day and night relay riding. For further information email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za or phone 076 621 1807. •CN