INTO N E W S PA P E R ISSUE #18
May 2018
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FIRST GRAND TOUR OF THE YEAR IS UPON US! The 2018 Giro d’Italia will be the 101st edition of the Giro d’Italia, one of cycling’s Grand Tour races. The Giro will start in Jerusalem on 4 May with a 9.7km individual time trial, followed by two stages in Israel. After a rest day, there will be 18 further stages in Italy to reach the finish in Rome on 27 May 2018. Louis Meintjes will be riding the Giro d’Italia in the colours of Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka for the first time in two years after leaving Team MTN - Qhubeka for Lampre-Merida in 2016. He has quickly settled back into his former team and is happy to be back. The Tour of the Alps five-stage race was Meintjes’ final preparation event ahead of his Giro d’Italia debut. Since making his Grand Tour debut in 2014, Meintjes has two 8th place finishes at the Tour de France and a top 10 at the 2015 Vuelta a España.
Photo: Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka - Photo Credit: Stiehl Photography The field will be tough at the Giro d’Italia, but the 26-year-old South African is hoping to improve on his Grand Another rider for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, Ben O’Connor headed home Tour results. from the Tour of the Alps with the best young rider’s white jersey and bucket loads “I don’t think it’s worth any less than a top 10 at the Tour de France,” said of confidence as he also prepares for his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d’Italia.
Meintjes. “It’s still the Giro and it’s World Tour racing so you’d be happy with a top 10 but obviously we’re trying to improve on the 8th I’ve got at the Tour. A top five would be really great.”
“We wish Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka the best of luck at the Giro!”
Get the latest on the Giro d' Italia by viewing the stages on page 11
NEWS
Wild Card Entries for 2018 UCI Gran Fondo
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Cycling South Africa has 10 Wild Card entries (five for female riders and five for male riders) for the 2018 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, which will take place in Varese, Italy from 30 August to 2 September 2018.The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships sees amateurs battle it out each year for the chance to claim the coveted rainbow jersey. Riders between the ages of 19 and 77 compete in their respective age categories for the prestigious title. Automatic qualification is given to any rider who participates in a Gran Fondo World Series event and who attains a ranking within the top 25% of their age group. An additional qualification opportunity is also given to athletes who participate and complete three UCI Gran Fondo World Series events, regardless of their ranking. In addition, any rider who has attained first position in their respective age category at the SA National Road Championships receives an automatic entry into the Gran Fondo World Championships; and the World Champions from Albi 2017 are also automatically qualified for the 2018 World Championships. Wild Card entries are for those who do not automatically qualify through either of the above-mentioned automatic entry processes. Criteria for Wild Card entry - Primary allocation will be based on SA National Road Championships results; Riders finishing between second and fifth in their age category will be able to apply for a Wild Card entry; Closing date for applications is 31 May 2018. Please note applications must be accompanied by a riders sporting CV; and all allocations will be considered and finalised by the Directors of the Road Commission (Bosseau Boshoff) and Recreation Commission (Corne Bence). Secondary allocation will only be possible if unallocated wild cards remain after the primary allocation process and will be on a first come first serve basis pending approval by the Road Commission and Recreation Commission Directors. All applications and supporting documentation to be sent to the Cycling South Africa office, for attention: Ms Siphokazi Magingxa, info@cyclingsa.com, before 31 May 2018.
Memorial Ride for Ian McPherson
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April 2018
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EXPERIENCE GREYTON AT ITS BEST IN THE GREYT ESCAPE
Photo: The Greyt Escape - Photo Credit: Jacques Marais
Greyton, one of the Western Cape’s best loved mountain biking meccas, plays host to the Greyt Escape three day mountain bike stage race from the 15th to the 17th of June 2018. The event showcases the amazing riding on offer in the Riviersonderend Mountains and provides the perfect excuse for a long weekend away in a peaceful country village. The beautiful, quaint country village of Greyton with its old-style, warm country hospitality brings to the discerning mountain biker the terrain that challenges, rewards, and finally releases the rider to reminisce about an experience that won’t be forgotten.
You cannot beat this classic town with its charming Victorian architecture, old-world charm and oak-lined avenues, together with local wines, kick-ass coffee shops, quirky curiosity shops, mouth-watering delis, and even a few laid-back Genadendal donkeys wandering around. And so the ‘Greyton Classic’ MTB Event from yesteryear continues to evolve. The inaugural event in 2015 saw a typical one-day mountain biking ‘Challenge’, with weekend warriors taking on a rough and ready local route. Continue Reading Page 2
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Photo Credit: uci.ch
2018/03/25 15:19:15
Single Issue: Free Copy
DIGITAL
Photo: Ian McPherson
The Pedal Power Association is organising a memorial ride on Sunday, 6 May to commemorate 68 year old Ian McPherson who was killed during a bicycle robbery near Fish Hoek on Tuesday, 13 March 2018. The memorial ride will include the symbolic placing of a ghost bike close to the spot where McPherson lost his life. The ride will start at the Fish Hoek sport fields, from where the group will follow one of McPherson’s favourite routes over Chapman’s Peak to Bakoven and back. McPherson was stabbed and robbed of his bicycle and cell phone. Three suspects were arrested for possession of stolen possession and one count of murder. The murder suspect has given up his right to appeal at the hearing on the 29th of March and will remain in custody until the next court date which is set for 8 May. “The brutal attack in which my father was tragically killed is but one in a recent series of assaults on cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts in the area. Something must be done,” explained Rob McPherson, Ian’s son. “The local community lost a good man and our family a muchloved husband, father, grandfather and brother. This cannot continue and hopefully we have now reached a tipping point so that my father’s legacy is not that of a victim, but of a man whose death galvanised a community and motivated them to act.” This memorial ride hopes to bring the community together, not only in remembrance of Ian McPherson, but also to show those that the community will not tolerate such acts.
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NEWS
Bekkenk and Dreyer Race to 36ONE Success Ramses Bekkenk and Jeannie Dreyer rode to dominant victories at the 2018 36ONE MTB Challenge in Oudtshoorn on Saturday, the 21st of April 2018. While Bekkenk started fast and missed out on the course record, Dreyer paced her race to perfection; finishing strong to smash her 2015 record by half an hour. In the other categories, the relay race was won by Yolande de Villiers and Jacques van Staden, while the team race was once again claimed by Craig Edwards and Dane Walsh. The Half distance, 180 kilometre race, was won by Raymond Odendaal and Isabella du Preez respectively; with last year’s second place finisher in the fulll 36ONE, Bennie Viljoen taking the inaugural gravel bike title in the half distance race. Bekkenk realised on Rooiberg Pass that the record was beyond his grasp. “It was very hard”, the Dutch double 36ONE champion explained. “At the start my stomach was not good and I struggled to digest food. But by the half-way point I was feeling good, only for it to come back after the last check point.” “Three of us, Dusty (Day), Kevin (Benkenstein) and myself, made an early break. Then at water point 4 (128 kilometres into the race) Dusty had a mechanical. Kevin and I decided to go together to the foot of the Rooiberg Pass but at the big river crossing before the climb started I realised I needed to increase the pace. Kevin said he was finished and so I rode the rest of the way on my own”, Bekkenk retold how the race unfolded.
Photo Credit: Oakpics.com
“I’m inspired by everyone brave enough to take on this race,” a visibly emotional Dreyer said before elaborating; “I was not thinking about the record, I was not looking at the time, I just rode as fast as I could.”
“On the Rooiberg Pass climb I struggled for rhythm. So when I got really tired after check point three (at Catlitzdorp) I knew there was no chance of breaking the record so I took a quick one minute nap to help me maintain my concentration to the finish,” the two-time champion concluded.
Dreyer and Bekkenk were joined on the full solo 36ONE podiums by Kevin Benkenstein and Willem Pretorius; and Janine Stewart and Christiane Brenzel respectively. Benkenstein had endured a tough conclusion to the race to sneak home in just under his personal goal of 14 and a half hours. While Pretorius rode a stellar final 80 kilometres to move up from the lower reaches of the top ten to the final podium position. In the solo women’s race Stewart battled the rising heat to finish second, and Brenzel completed the podium.
In the women’s race Dreyer attributed her fast finish to a more gradual start. “I definitely left more in the tank than last year,” she said upon crossing the finish line in 16 hours, 5 minutes and 34 seconds.
Slower finishers meanwhile are expected to continue crossing the line well into Saturday night, with the final finishers likely to take well over double the time of Bekkenk to complete the 361 kilometre route.
Explore Unridden Gems in the De Hoop Vlei MTB The De Hoop Vlei MTB, which takes place from De Hoop Nature Reserve on the 22nd to the 24th of September 2018, will include a section of private land never before opened to mountain bikers. The route which takes in three days of adventurous riding in and around one of Cape Nature’s flagship reserves includes long sections in unspoilt fynbos but there is none as spectacular as the piece along the North Western shores of the De Hoop Vlei. Saved for the final day; riders will ride through Vogel Rivier, a privately owned wilderness area otherwise entirely closed to the public. Photo: De Hoop Vlei MTB - Photo Credit: Oakpics.com Crossing from Nature Conservation land into Vogel Rivier near where the The views from the cliffs have to be seen to be believed and after the strenuous Soutrivier runes into the Ramsar protected vlei riders will be divert from the beaten climb they present the perfect excuse to catch one’s breath before enjoying the track – to where only the route team has gone before and where no mountain exhilarating traverse towards the historic Melkkamer Manor House where the final bikers will be allowed again until the 2019 event. water point of the De Hoop Vlei MTB awaits. A short stop at a spring bubbling through the limestone hills, where a water point awaits, will allow riders to refuel before taking on a challenging but rewarding 10 kilometres of riding. The route at first hugs the shoreline, allowing riders to look around and soak up the amazing scenery of honeycombed limestone cliffs and unspoilt fynbos. Then the climbing starts, winding up a disused jeep track over slabs of stone – climbing 150 meters in elevation from the vlei bed to the cliff tops.
From the lawns of Melkkamer the recounting of war stories and the uploading of amazing photos to Instagram will surely begin before a leisurely jeep track pedal back to the finish line at the De Hoop Collection concludes a long weekend of scintillating mountain biking. For more information visit www.dehoopvleimtb.co.za or contact Race Director Anneke Viljoen on 084 228 0414 or anneke@freebody-sports.com
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Gold for Henri Schoeman Team South Africa got off to a golden Commonwealth Games start as Henri Schoeman won the men’s triathlon event on the first day of competition at Gold Coast, Australia. The tiny Durbanite dominated the 750-metre swim, 20km cycle and 5km run from start to finish, winning in 52min 31sec – seven seconds clear of local favourite Jake Birtwhistle. An electric burst of pace early into the run saw him sail clear after the race had got off to a stormy start as a squall lashed down for the swim leg. And now, at long last the spotlight shines fairly and squarely on Schoeman. Story of the race was that Schoeman came out of the water in third spot behind Alistair Brownlee and Tayler Reid of New Zealand. A breakaway group of six soon formed on the bike and Schoeman boxed clever by staying out of trouble. He dismounted fourth, swapped bike for running shoes, and within a kilometre of the transition was running free in first place. As he entered the finishing arena he was first able to execute an attempted high-five with countryman Richard Murray as he celebrated down the blue carpet. Richard Murray went on to end sixth, 33sec off the pace, while the third member of the men’s outfit, Wian Sullwald, was 20th (3:59 back).
Bronze for Alan Hatherly
Photo's Credit: Wessel Oosthuizen / SASPA
Bronze for Clint Hendricks
Team Spur’s Alan Hatherly won Bronze in the Men’s Cross-country mountain bike race for Team South Africa at the Commonwealth Games on 12 April and finished third in a time of 1:17:56 behind the New Zealand duo of Sam Gaze (1:17:36) and Anton Cooper (1:17:36). The result took Team South Africa’s medal count at the games to 28 and comes just two months after Hatherly fractured both wrists in a high speed crash at the three-day Tankwa Trek stage race. According to Hatherly it was super tactical right from the start gun, especially with the three Kiwis in the mix. After a flying start with Gaze powering to the front, and only Hatherly and fellow Kiwis Cooper and Ben Oliver able to keep pace, the field was blown to pieces and the stage set for an exhilarating battle for the medals. By the end of Lap 3, Hatherly, Gaze and Cooper had burnt off Oliver.
Photo Credit: Tim Bardsley-Smith / Cyclingtips.com
The 26-year-old Paarl cyclist Clint Hendricks, rider for Team BCX sprinted to the bronze medal in the 168.3km men’s road race on 14 April at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 in Australia - the first time a South African won a medal in the Commonwealth Games road race since 2006. Hendriks took third in a photo finish behind Australia’s Steele von Hoff and Welshman Jonathan Mould. The first nine cyclists were credited with the same time, 3:57:01, and Hendricks just got his wheel in front of Northern Irishman Mark Downey where it counted most.
Photo L- R: Anton Cooper, Sam Gaze and Alan Hatherly Photo Credit: REUTERS/ Paul Childs
No stranger to the intense energy of an international games environment, having represented South Africa at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Hatherly knew he’d have his hands full containing two of the world’s fastest Elite mountain bikers. Cooper (in 2015) and Gaze (in 2017) are both past U23 World Champions and were also Gold and Silver at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, with Cooper having the edge on Gaze in a two-up sprint. The three riders jostled for position throughout the remainder of the race and it wasn’t until the final lap where the racing exploded. Sam had a rear-wheel puncture and was forced to stop to re-inflate it, but was quick to hop back on the bike as he hunted down the leaders. As they made their way up the penultimate rocky climb, Alan showed his class as he made way for a charging Gaze. Alan sat in third and continued to chase, but started feeling the effects of such intense efforts. “I started to feel the arms a bit at the end but it is expected after such a tough race. I am very happy to bring it home in third for South Africa,” said Alan. South Africa’s Mariske Strauss and Cherie Redecker finished seventh and eleventh respectively for Team South Africa on the testing Naranga Forest Course at the Commonwealth Games.
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It is interesting to note that all three road race medal winners ride for Continental teams. The winner Steele Von Hof (along with SA’s Brendon Davids) is part of the Australian Bennelong SwissWellness Cycling Team p/b Cervélo outfit, while Jon Mould ride for JLT Condor, and Clint himself ride for Team BCX in South Africa. It was an enormous achievement for Clint to be in the mix right at the end and his ability to rise to the occasion riding against World Tour riders with full time European Tour schedules.
Photo L- R: Jonathan Mould, Steele von Hoff and Clint Hendricks Photo Credit: Tim Bardsley-Smith / Cyclingtips.com
It was Team SA’s 37th medal of the Games, and their 13th bronze at the end of Day 10. Brendon Davids was credited with 18th position, some 57 seconds off the front, with Bradley Potgieter 27th (+2:07). Further back in 38th was Nicholas Dlamini (+2:38), while Nolan Hoffmann did not finish.
ACCOMMODATION
5 SEASONS - COSY GUESTHOUSE IN THE HEART OF STELLENBOSCH!
Set on a Jacaranda-lined street in Stellenbosch’s most elegant part of town 5 Seasons is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. Only 3 minutes’ drive from the centre of Stellenbosch with its many restaurants, cafes and bars, but also museums, galleries, the university and the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study conference centre. 5 Seasons is an ideal base to discover the breath-taking surroundings of the Cape Winelands and the Western Cape – a paradise during all four seasons – and the fifth, your holiday and a cyclist paradise. There is no shortage of action with routes to choose from such as the Jonkershoek Trail, Paradyskloof Trail and Coetzer Trail to name but a few. Bike rentals with delivery and collection can be arranged beforehand. Thus, you do not need to own a bike to join in the fun!
ROOMS ELEGANTLY DESIGNED - Spacious executive apartment - Honeymoon room - Luxury room - Classic room - Standard room - Family cottage - Garden cottage
SERVICES
DECORATED AND SPACIOUS FOR A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE - Separate entrance and a balcony/terrace - En-suite bathroom with shower and/or bath tub - TV and safe deposit box - Air conditioning/heater - WLAN - Coffee & tea tray - Luxury skin products & hairdryer - Complimentary welcome sherry - Mini fridge - Some rooms have a kitchenette
- Continental & english breakfast or alternatively a snack pack for cyclists - Secure parking - Concierge desk service which includes a variety of options such as - Airport pick-up and transfers - Restaurant bookings, pick-up and transfers - Wine tours - Scenic & helicopter flights - Golf lessons, bookings & tee-off times - Assistance with cycling routes & information - Extra towels for that all important “bike-bath!” “Our garden cottage is suited for cyclists as it is equipped with 4 x wall mounted bike racks, complete with chain to secure bicycles overnight.” We take great pride in sharing our knowledge about the area with our guests and we will be able to recommend you the best places to suit your taste.
- Upstairs rooms all have staircases, so if you have a walking difficulty, please specify a downstairs room at time of booking.
Whatever you might need, we will be happy to arrange it for you! We fell in love with this beautiful place at first sight and we are sure so will you! For more information contact +27 021 886 6159, bookings@5-seasons.co.za or visit www.5-seasons.co.za
- Pool set in our garden
Looking forward in hosting you on your next cycle trip to the Winelands.
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LIFESTYLE
Mauritius Tour Beachcomber 2018 Endurance Sports Go Hand-in-Hand with 5-Star Experience
Set in the heart of a paradise island, the Mauritius Tour Beachcomber (MTB) is the perfect combination of sports challenge and hospitality. Since its launching, the competition has continued to live up to its reputation. One of the most awaited sports events in Mauritius, this mountain biking race gathers high-profile mountain bikers, amazing sceneries, adrenaline and strong sensations. This year again, for its third edition scheduled from 17-19 May, the MTB will combine endurance sports with 5-star experience. Most of the stages of the MTB 2018 will start and end at Shandrani Beachcomber. Nestled on a peninsula shielded by a marine park, Shandrani Beachcomber is the perfect venue for the event. The resort offers an array of activities for an energetic holiday: a pitch-and-putt golf course, sailing club, diving centre and kids club. The hotel’s team members will do their utmost to offer a topnotch 5-star experience to the bikers: an exceptional welcome with careful attention to detail, and of course, quality feeding zones designed and accomplished by the Executive Chefs of the Beachcomber Hotels and their kitchen crew. Dynamic massages are also on the menu after each stage of the race.
Do You Invest As Much In Your Business As You Do In Your Cycling?
Business and cycling are not at all that different. In fact they’re pretty similar. In business you have 3 main challenges: Time, Team and Money, and in cycling pretty much the same. In most cases, though it’s the lack of each more so than the abundance of each. However, whether you’re a beginner or pro cyclist, I know you’re investing in all 3 areas in your cycling. You’ve got a nice shiny technologically advanced pedalling machine; you’re constantly shaping your fitness levels, speed and stamina by committing time to training and a group of like minded people to cycle with. You’ve committed both time and money to your sport and know the value of training with people of similar experience. How then does your continued investment in your business compare? I’m not talking about the initial investment and the fact that you’re physically spending hours at the business most days. I’m talking about the ongoing real investment. Are you committing time and money to working on your business? Are you investing time and money in yourself to become a better manager, leader and entrepreneur? Do you regularly seek out like minded people to engage and interact with? I didn’t think so.
The bikers will also have a bike washing facility and security and medical teams. The newbie this year is the organisation of a children’s race on Saturday, May 19, featuring fun activities for kids. “Since its launching three years ago, the MTB has grown into a successful event both locally and internationally through the participation of high-profile athletes James Reid, the patron of this year’s competition, belongs to the elite category in South Africa - and well-defined trails, the welcome and the quality refilling executed by our teams,” confirms Arianne Devienne-Bellepeau, Leisure & Events Manager at Beachcomber. “We can count on the keen support of our sponsors: PNL, Panagora, Nestlé and I2I Optical for another spectacular edition,” adds Arianne.
As with cycling though it’s pretty easy to rectify. Create a new high performance business fitness plan for your business with these easy steps: Set a specific business goal; Derive a detailed training / implementation plan, Allocate regular and uninterrupted time for training and practise; Focus on beating your personal bests and celebrating the small incremental changes; Commit the goal to daily action and stick with it until achieved; Seek out like minded individuals to engage with regularly; and Get a coach to push you and ensure you succeed Pretty simple process when setting the goal for an upcoming race. You already have the skills for cycling. Now just apply the same to your business. Always remember that your business is your chosen vehicle to serve you, your goals and dreams as well as those of your family. It is however also the same vehicle that must produce time and money to allow you to reach those - get it fitter and healthier today. Visit www.businesshealthcheck.co.za today for a quick assessment on your business’s health
Vintage & Classic Bicycle Exhibition
MTB EXCLUSIVE OFFER A 4 - n i g h t s t a y a t S h a n d r a n i B e a c h c o m b e r R e s o r t & S p a v a l i d 1 6 -2 0 M a y f ro m
R19 550
pps
(Superior double or twin)
MOUNTAIN BIKE LOVERS Combine a 5-star stay and a thrilling sporting event Mauritius Tour Beachcomber (MTB) invites intrepid nature-loving mountain bikers to discover Mauritius in an unprecedented way along spectacular, challenging tracks 4 races: 65 km, 40 km, 22.5 km (night ride) and 63 km Registration is open until 07 May 2018 Book 15 full paying adults & the 16th adult's accommodation is FREE
R24 730 (Superior single)
YOUR STAY INCLUDES: • Return airfare from Johannesburg and approximate airport taxes • Arrival/departure airport transfers and transfer to race start on race day • 4 nights’ accommodation on an all-inclusive basis - three meals a day, a choice of 4 restaurants for dinner, a selection of unlimited imported wines, spirits, soft drinks and cocktails, with champagne from 6pm • Free land and water sports including waterskiing and wakeboarding as well as a plethora of family activities • Race fee for all four stages • Free entry to the race village at the heart of the event - the village offers lunches, massages and bike washing services • Souvenir t-shirt
For more information call the Beachcomber Groups Department on 0800 500 800 or email carine@beachcomber.co.za All rates are subject to availability and ROE changes. Age restrictions apply to the race. 16th adult is accommodated for 4 nights on a complimentary twin-share basis at 5-star Shandrani inclusive of the premium all-inclusive package excluding flights, transfers and race fees. Due to the volatility of the rand please use this flyers as a price guideline, call for updated pricing. T&Cs apply.
24/01/18
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The second edition of the Vintage & Classic Bicycle Exhibition took place at the Montagu Museum Art and Culture Centre (MMACC) in Montagu from 15 - 29 March 2018, to coincide with the Eroica South Africa Tour that started on 17 March 2018. It was the third time Eroica has taken place in the MMACC Courtyard in Montagu, which has officially been appointed as “the home of Eroica in South Africa” by the Italian Eroica organisers. This was an all-day affair – with Italian-themed food stalls and drinks available all day and a festive end-of-race dinner under the stars in the evening. Most of the bicycles in the exhibition belong to two collectors, Paul Whitehead of Montagu and Andrew Wheeldon of Cape Town. The bicycles were displayed dates back from 1896-2013 each reflecting its own history. Some of the bikes on display included: 1895 Dursley Pedersen Replica, 1965 Jan Jansen,1965 Sparta Tandem,1978 Bianchi Rekord 848, 1982 Raleigh Track, 1998 Colnago Master Olympic, 2005 Eddy Merckx 531, 2003 Gt Streetmachine Recumbent, Brompton Folding Bike, Gocycle, Jack Taylor Tandem, Royal, Enfield Ladies’ Bicycle, and many more.
EVENT
THE FUN PACKED
8 HOUR CHALLENGE
IS BACK!
W
The 8 Hour Challenge is one of only 3 opportunities in the Western Cape to take part in an off-road duathlon event. The duathlon uses the same friendly trail and MTB’ing routes. The 8 Hour Challenge is spread over Saturday 5 May (trail) and Sunday 6 May (MTB and Duathlon).
Parking (80 bays)
ng rki s) Pa bay (40
Cricket Pitch
Gazi bo & M s for ru TB Clu nning bs
Gazibos for running & MTB Clubs
Dam
Tent
Food Stalls
Gazibos for running & MTB Clubs
Camping site (25 sites)
Sta rt/F inis h
Join us for 2 fun days with family & friends!
Each day kicks off with the kiddies dash at 07:00. Children can choose between cycling or running the 5.25km trail route. The Trail Challenge is rather simple - how many loops of 5.25km can be finished within 8 hours. Trail runners can also pair into teams of 4 so that each runner runs a total of 21km spread throughout the day (the challenge is to see how fast the team can finish the distance within 8 hours). Schools- and corporate-team members only run 2 loops (i.e. a total of 10.5km). Sunday 6 May will see the MTB’ers and Duathletes lining up at the start. The greatest pull for the 8 Hour Challenge is the MTB profile. Because it is a non-technical route, this event has in the past seen many young children challenging the more experienced MTB’ing generation on their own turf. It is expected that up to 100 school children will be taking in the MTB challenge this year. The route will not be congested though as only 15% is single track and 85% (jeep track) is over-taking zone. The challenge is simple – how
er Beent t
Cellar
Parking (75 bays)
his/her loops within 8 hours. In the xtreme-4 man team challenge, each team member cycles a total of 30kms (3 loops). The Duathlon, also on Sunday 6 May, is probably the most enjoyable event in the 8 Hour Challenge.
elbedacht Estate in the Paarl / Wellington winelands region, has proved to be the perfect location for this off road endurance event. It forms part of a weekend of trail running, MTB’ing and duathlon (run:bike:run). The area profile is flat and friendly, and the farm offers a large crisp dam for cooling tired legs. Welbedacht. The 8 Hour Challenge is a weekend of festivities with food vendors ready to ensure all athlete’s appetites are catered for. Such a festival of running and biking would not be complete without children’s entertainment and this year we are again making sure that children will be begging their parents to make this an annual family event!! The MTB route is certainly not a challenge of technical ability, but rather of “vasbyt” and who-can-keepgoing-the-longest. The course is 85% Jeep track and 15% single track. The single track is not technical. It has no switch backs, A-frames or any tricky parts… but instead it offers cyclists an opportunity to experience some of the beauty of the farm while meandering on easy single tracks. The trail run route is equally nontechnical, and the aim is again on the beautiful landscape and enjoyment rather than technical climbs and rocky gardens.
Wine tasting room
Offices
Parking (40 bays)
Restaurant & Registration
Sound truck
This year we will be hosting the event where real sports stars are born, the Schalk Burger family farm at Welbedacht Wine Estate in Wellington on the 5th & 6th of May 2018.
This is how it works:
many 10km loops can you finish within 8 hours. Due to its location and the fun element, the 8 Hour Challenge has attracted many school teams who see it as a fun interschool-like event. Similarly, the corporate challenge is a great team-building opportunity. 4-Man-teams (school and corporate) entries are therefore available. School and corporate team members each do a total of 20km (2 loops) and see how fast each team member can complete
Run 2 x 5.25km (trail running), bike 3 laps of 10km, finish with a 5.25km run. The attractive Prize Pot is large. The Prize Money for the winners (top 3 in each event) is very appealing and winners are walking away with R2500, R1000 for second place and R500 for 3rd. Lucky draw prizes of up to R50 000 will be given away. Make a whole weekend of it by coming to camp on the farm. We know how much cyclists and trail runners enjoy camping – and we are making sure that we speak to your every need. There are 25 camp sites available. To secure a camp spot, contact the 8 Hour Challenge Team Magda’s Kitchen will be selling traditional vetkoek. If vetkoek isn’t your thing, bring a picknick to enjoy on the lush lawn or next to the tranquil farm dam.
Online entries are handled by the Ninjas aka EntryNinja https://www.entryninja.com/events/event/13481-8-hour-challenge Entry fees for the trail event is R350 and MTB & Duathlon R400. Schools receive a complimentary team entry for each team entered. Please also visit our website www.8hourchallenge.co.za for further information. You can either contact us via email: info@8hourchallenge.co.za or contact us at 0828519999
Ferdinand’s TOURS & ADVENTURES
ENTER NOW ON
WWW.ENTRYNINJA.COM
COMING TO JHB 25 & 26 AUGUST 2018! PAGE 7
MTB
Eliminator Series KICKS OFF AT Thaba Trails
The Eliminator Series is sprinting into its fifth year which has seen a big change for the series moving from separate provincial series to a national series taking place on the same day and at the same venues as the SA Cross Country Cup Series events. Eliminator is a short course heat racing format of mountain biking whereby four riders at a time race around a track roughly 800m in length testing the riders speed and technical skills whilst managing the elbow to elbow racing of competitors all sprinting to finish in the transfer positions. The top two riders in each heat will advance to the next round until the final. Podium finishers in each age group will be rewarded with prize money at each event and all entrants stand the chance to win some fantastic prizes. Round one of the Series for 2018 took place at Thaba Trails in Gauteng on 31 March 2018 - the first of 5 events hosted around the country. The racing was split into 3 sections with Sprogs, Nippers and Sub Junior and Youth in mid morning with all ladies section after lunch including Junior and Elite women and men. Alan Hatherly returned from injury after he crashed out of the Tankwa Trek in February with a victory at the second SA MTB Cup Series XCO event beating Arno du Toit in second place by two minutes, with Jan Withaar rounding third on the podium.
Langeberg Link MTB
Mariske Strauss won gold at the second SA MTB Cup Series XCO event after her team was placed third in the elite women’s category of the Absa Cape Epic. Round 2 of the series takes place on 5 May at Cascades MTB park in Pietermaritzburg, Round 3 is scheduled for 3 June at Bloemendal Wine Estate, Round 4 on 16 June at Mankele, and the final round on 21 July in Bloemfontein. For more information visit www.onemovement.co.za
Enduro Western Cape
is back in Swellendam
series kicks off at Hoogekraal Trails
The Langeberg Link MTB 3-day stage event will once again take place over the Heritage weekend from 22 – 24 September 2018 based at Oudewerf Farm, about 12km east of Swellendam. The race is open to all mountain bike enthusiasts and sanctioned by Cycling SA. Riders can choose to enter for all 3 days, or one or two days only.
Enduro Western Cape (EWC) launched the three race series sponsored by Giant Bicycles and Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club. Round one took place on the prestigious and unraced Hoogekraal trails on 22 April 2018.
Bring the family and come and enjoy the excellent hospitality and ‘home cooking’ of the farming community. This is a great opportunity to explore the various activities in and around the historic town of Swellendam. The track, where access is limited, is purposely designed for cyclists to enjoy the overwhelming beauty of fauna and flora in the area and experience some breathtaking views, thus making rider participation a major contributor to the conservation effort.
Enduro racing in its most basic definition is a type of mountain bike racing where the downhills are timed, and the uphills are not. Riders are timed in primarily downhill sections (Special Stages or SS), with neutral “transfer” stages in between (liasons). Winners are those who accumulate the lowest combined time from the timed Special Stages. EWC welcome all riders and our courses are totally rideable as long as you are enthusiastic about being challenged on fun singletrack. It’s like a weekend ride with your friends – regroup at the top and race each other down the trail!
LANGEBERG LINK MTB Photo Credit: Ewald Sadie | www.esphotography.co.za
WHEN 22-23-24 SEPTEMBER 2018
WHERE Oudewerf Farm On R60 And Just Outside The Historic Town Swellendam
COST All 3 days – R1 200 per cyclist and R450 single stages/day Timing by Great-Time
ENTRIES www.entrytime.co.za +27 74 457 6777 2018
info@langeberglinkmtb.com www. langeberglinkmtb.com
PAGE 8
While the racing is fiercely competitive, the vibes are super chilled and Enduros are a great way to gain technical skills and fitness. Enduros can be raced on all types of mountain bikes but full suspension trail bikes with travel between 120160mm with dropper posts are recommended. Protective clothing such as long sleeves, knee cover and full finger gloves are advised. Open face helmets are fine, while some riders choose to wear full face helmets. Round 2 of the Enduro Western Cape will take place on 29 July 2018 at Contermanskloof, with the final in the series scheduled for 16 September 2018 at Jonkershoek. For more information visit www.wpcycling.com/mtb/enduro/
MEIRINGSPOORT MTB CHALLENGE Meiringspoort MTB Challenge is now becoming one of the favourite MTB Races in the Western Cape. The exclusive routes consist of single track, jeep track and some gravel roads can only be ridden during the event as 90% of the route is on privately owned farms. On 26 May 2018 the third edition of Meiringspoort MTB Challenge will start at the NG Kerk De Rust, the official race village. This year all the routes of last year will be utilized, but will be raced in the opposite direction. In edition to the 31km and 61,5km, a 19,5km race will be added to the Meiringspoort MTB Challenge portfolio. At the race village there will be a festive atmosphere with music, food stalls and a beer garden.
Photo Credit: Roswitha's Photography
Online entries: www.cycleevents.co.za/mtb-events/17253/ For more information contact Corne 074 260 2871 or visit: www.jakhalsevents.wix.com/jakhalsevents
REALTY
Stronger currency
makes a Plan B in Europe cheaper! Acquiring a 2nd citizenship or permanent residency is very appealing to many South Africans. The main reason is to implement a Plan B to assure the family’s future by protecting against political risk and economical instability. Europe is still the preferred destination due to being the world’s largest single market & global trading block; as well as the lifestyle aspects and business / work opportunities on offer. But up until recently, the weak ZAR has made investing in Europe almost unattainable. The recent strengthening of the ZAR against the EURO has made securing a Plan B in Europe affordable. When comparing last year’s high of R16.98 to this year’s low of R14.40 – securing permanent residency in Cyprus is now R775,000 cheaper; and acquiring a 2nd citizenship is now a whopping R5,1Million cheaper! Having a 2nd citizenship in Europe gives unlimited access to the EU & the UK. Chief benefits include travelling, living, working & studying anywhere in the European Economic Area; plus visa-free travel to many countries. Permanent residency is also attractive because it gives the permit holders the legal right to live in that country without having to go through an onerous immigration process should they wish to make a permanent move. Cyprus, an English-speaking, ex-British colony and full EU member currently has the most attractive 2nd citizenship and permanent residency programmes available. Citizenship is granted in 3 months via Cyprus’ “Citizenship through investment” programme: - It’s the quickest process in Europe;
Permanent residency is granted in 4 – 6 weeks on the “Fast Track” programme. - this is the only programme in Europe where 3 generations in the same family (including both the parents & in-laws) all acquire residency by buying one property!
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Some lifestyle attractions that Cyprus offers are: - Euro-accredited education gives your children an advantage when they enter the global job market; - low cost but high standard of living;
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PAGE 9
THROWBACK
LUKE MOIR DOMINATES AT
TEAM IMBUKO MOMSEN
INTERNAZIONALI D’ITALIA XCO SERIES
FINISH STRONG AT CAPE EPIC
Luke Moir, youngest rider for Silverback Volvo dominated the first stage of the 2018 Internazionali d’Italia XCO Series U16 in Nals (Bosen) recently. In 2017 Luke also won Stage 4 of the Internazionali d’Italia XCO Series. Known internationally as one of the toughest races ever and is 5km long, this race has many technical steps and alternating with very fast and dusty descents. “The race went really well, I had a bad start, but was near the front majority of the time,” says Luke. The Silverback Volvo Rider with experience of the race was second into the first single track,” a Swiss rider and Israeli rider and I broke away from everyone else,” he adds. He was able to stay in the running for his victory up until the end of the 4 laps, “The course was quite basic with just one long up hill and one technical downhill with a few small punchy climbs and very loose slippery roots where some riders jumped off, but I rode on,” say the 15-Year-Old. Photo: Team Imbuko Momsen - Photo Credit: Mark SampsonCape Epic SPORTZPICS
The young Guns of Team Imbuko Momsen finished in an astonishing 17th place overall and was placed 4th in the African category at the Absa Cape Epic 2018! “With these results we cannot contain how proud we are of Marco Joubert (20) and Dylan Rebello (22) – new on the Epic front and at a very young age for mountain biking, they are already kicking up dust in the faces of much more experienced riders. I am very proud of my team, they did brilliant for their age-group – a team to be reckoned with”, said Theunis Van Zyl, MD of Imbuko Wines - one of the main sponsors of the Team. Marco and Dylan are excited and motivated for the rest of the year and determined to do even better in the 2019 Absa Cape Epic. Follow their journey on their IMBUKOMOMSEN Instagram or Facebook pages. “Thank you to all our sponsors: Imbuko Wines, Momsen Bikes, Stans NoTubes, RideFarr, Nike Vision, Continental Tyre South Africa, ENDURADE and Racepace Sportwear.” The main Italian circuit of Cross Country Mountain Bike (XCO) caused Luke a few slip-ups,” I made a few mistakes but didn’t lose anytime, the race was quite tactical between us with some attacks, but I remained calm and attacked on the last lap,” says Luke. He created a fantastic 28 second gap between the Swiss Lars Sommer, “I am really happy to get an international win for Volvo and Silverback Bicycles,” say Luke Moir. Luke Moir, up-and-coming mountain bike racer from Cape Town turned 15 in December 2017 and has been dominating the U16 category even as a 14 year old. Luke is currently racing the Silveback Superspeed SBC (Hardtail) that has just won an iF design award for its Monoburst Technology. To conclude his Europe trip, Luke raced at the second Proffix Swiss Cup in Schaan, Switzland.
12 HOURS OF KILLARNEY WITH PURE SAVAGE The PPA 12 Hours of Killarney endurance race took place on Sunday, 8 April 2018 at the Killarney Motor Racing Track in Milnerton. Stephen Courtney from Team Pure Savage was the solo winner of the inaugural challenge in 2017 which guaranteed him a spot in the 2017 Double Century team. Having obtained a benchmark, the organizers and sponsors had a cash prize up for grabs with an additional prize for breaking the record of 129 laps which attracted more competition and drew even more interest from Team Pure Savage.
HEYNS, DU TOIT CROWNED WINELANDS ENCOUNTER CHAMPS Gert Heyns and Arno du Toit claimed their second stage win to secure overall honours on the final day of the Liberty Winelands Encounter mountain bike race, which finished near Paarl on 15 April 2018. The DSV Pro Cycling team, who raced into the overall lead on day one, were comfortable winners after HB Kruger, who won last year with Waylon Woolcock, took a tumble and was unable to complete the stage. Kruger and Matt Beers, riding for ASG-NAD, won the second stage and were striving to make up a two-minute gap on overall leaders Heyns and Du Toit when the accident happened 25km in. Coming into a single-track section, Kruger said he felt his front wheel got stuck in some soft sand and he went over the handlebars and damaged my right shoulder quite badly. The outcome was that it left Imbuko-Momsen’s Dylan Rebello and Marco Joubert, the third-placed team overnight, to chase the overall leaders. However, Heyns and Du Toit proved that they were the strongest in the race by taking stage honours ahead of Rebello and Joubert. First Ascent’s Richard Simpson and Alexander Rohrer were a further six minutes back on the day to finish on the lowest step of the podium in the general classification. Samantha Sanders and Matthew Stamatis completed a clean
Photo: Arno du Toit and Gert Heyns Photo's Credit: Robert Ward
sweep of the stages to win the mixed title. Sanders, who was a late entry when Stamatis was looking for a partner, said she was delighted with the victory in her first Liberty Winelands Encounter appearance.
Waldo Zevenster, Brendon Stevens, William Robinson and Calvin Moore of Team Pure Savage had a plan to help Waldo compete against the best by always having at least one team mate around doing the work of chasing down breaks, sitting in the wind, fetching food and drinks and fixing punctures. The race started at 6am with Brendon and William keeping Waldo company. The plan for the first hour was to keep a high, but constant lap pace to try to thin the group down. Just before 8am Calvin joined the party and after a few laps later disaster struck when Waldo had a puncture and William had to hand over his front wheel to Waldo. The boys merciless chased down the bunch with Brendon and Calvin doing quick rotations followed closely by Waldo. The boys were gaining, but not fast enough. Calvin left, promising a return in the afternoon. The next 3 hours saw the three remaining Savages keep up the tempo, while other riders stopped to refuel and rest as Waldo kept forging forth. At midday with 200km done and dusted Brendon pulled off, leaving William to mix Waldo’s drinks with Calvin pulled in for his second shift.
PAGE 10
This part of the race was the most challenging for the single riders that had covered 240km of constant riding. Waldo was sitting in joint second with Rinaldo Kruger, and one lap down on Philip Sassie. The lap times had now slowed down to around 35km/h. The final phase of the race started when Brendon took Calvin’s place at Waldo’s side. For 11 hours straight Waldo did not pull into the pits, but the cramps had set in and they had to stop for ten minutes. The last hour of racing was just plan Savage. The hour and a half before the stop, cramps and fatigue dropped Waldo average speed to 33.4km/h, and the last hour of racing was dispatched at 36.2km/h. At this stage Waldo gained the lap he lost and pulled another 3 laps into 4th place rider Rafeeq, to secure 3rd place! At 6pm the final laps began as the sun started to set. Refeeq Safodien came 4th with 130 laps (427km), Waldo finished 3rd on 133 laps (439 km), Rinaldo Kruger second place on 135 laps (449km) and Phillip Sassie taking the win with 137 laps (454 km). Will managed to sneak into the top ten with 333km under his belt with Brendon having a rather chilled day on the bike at 262km. Calvin has asked for his distance not to be posted for some reason. Yvette Negrine was the female winner and completed 109 laps (361km).
GIRO D'ITALIA 2018 STAGE DATE
START AND FINISH
DISTANCE
1
4 May
Jerusalem (Israel)
9.7 km
2
5 May
Haifa (Israel) – Tel Aviv (Israel)
167 km
3
6 May
Be'er Sheva (Israel) – Eilat (Israel)
229 km
R/Day
7 May
4
8 May
Catania – Caltagirone
191 km
5
9 May
Agrigento – Santa Ninfa
152 km
6
10 May
Caltanissetta – Mount Etna
163 km
7
11 May
Pizzo – Praia a Mare
159 km
8
12 May
Praia a Mare – Montevergine
208 km
9
13 May
Pesco Sannita – Gran Sasso
224 km
R/Day
14 May
10
15 May
Penne – Gualdo Tadino
239 km
11
16 May
Assisi – Osimo
156 km
12
17 May
Osimo – Imola
213 km
13
18 May
Ferrara – Nervesa della Battaglia
180 km
14
19 May
San Vito al Tagliamento – Monte Zoncolan
181 km
15
20 May
Tolmezzo – Sappada
176 km
R/Day
21 May
- 7 stages for sprinters
16
22 May
Trento – Rovereto
34.5 km
- 6 medium difficulty stages
17
23 May
Riva del Garda – Iseo
155 km
- 6 high difficulty stages
18
24 May
Abbiategrasso – Prato Nevoso
196 km
19
25 May
Venaria Reale – Bardonecchia
181 km
20
26 May
Susa – Cervinia
214 km
21
27 May
Rome – Rome
118 km
Looking back to history and making history with the Giro, a Giro which is already history. This will be a special Giro, and knew it right after the Big Start from Jerusalem was announced. This 101st edition will be a surprising one: for the first time ever, a Grand Tour will set off outside Europe, and the finish will be in Rome. This has only happened 3 times before, in 1911, in 1950 and in 2009.
GIRO NUMBERS - 3.562.9 km Total Route - 169.7 km daily average - 2 individual time trial
FIVE KEY STAGES TO WATCH - Stage 9, May 13 - Pesco Sannita - Gran Sasso d'Italia - Stage 14, May 19 - San Vito Al Tagliamento - Monte Zoncolan - Stage 16, May 22 - Trento – Rovereto (ITT) - Stage 19, May 25 - Venaria Reale – Bardonecchia - Stage 20, May 26 - Susa – Cervinia
Photo's Credit: LaPresse/ Fabio Ferrari / Giro d'Italia
GET THE GIRO D' ITALIA APP
PAGE 11
GENERAL
GET READY FOR THE SPUR SCHOOLS MTB LEAGUE School Coaches Training and Team Manager courses - A successful Western Cape Schools Team Manager Course was held on 18 March 2018 at Dirtopia, Stellenbosch presented by Deon Steyn, President of the SA Schools Cycling. This was the first of many School Coaches Training and Team Manager courses to be held, and will be followed up by a Schools Mountain Biking Coaching Course on 18-20 May 2018. “The Western Cape Schools Cycling is preparing to participate in the first Spur Schools MTB League on 9 June 2018 and looking forward to see many more new schools entering this year - especially more High School girls.” MTB Skills Clinic - Van Riebeeckstrand Primary School MTB in Melkbosstrand hosted a very successful skills clinic on the 9 April 2018 with Daisyway Coaching Systems where 60 learners attended the course. The Van Riebeeckstrand Primary School learners had so much fun, learned valuable MTB skills lessons that will help them when they are to participate in their first School Mountain Biking League coming up in June. The learners also received skills certificates to award their efforts. Spur Schools MTB - On Saturday, 19 May 2018 mountain biking enthusiasts from the Southern Cape will come out in full force representing their schools in the Spur Schools Mountain Bike League Southern Cape, while schools in the Western Cape Spur Schools Mountain Bike League will line up on 9 June 2018 for the first event of the season. The Spur Schools Mountain Bike League was launched by Spur Steak Ranches and Amarider in 2009 as an initiative to provide regional and national structure in the sport at school level. It also aims to stimulate event-planning in the many regions where the sport is not active at school level. The Spur Schools Mountain Bike League is about introducing more learners to bikes and encouraging South African schools to adopt mountain biking as an official sport. With these simple aims the Spur Schools Mountain Bike League has built a strong cross-country racing format, with four events taking place in each province between May and September.
Photo Credit: Dr Marcus Fink
Schools are encouraged to enter as many riders as possible in order to rack up points which are awarded to riders’ finishing positions in each race. The primary and high schools finishing top of the points log at the end of each season are awarded the Region’s School Champion floating trophy. Spur MTB School League 2018 provisional event calendar Southern Cape: 19 May, Southern Cape #1 (Klipheuwel Trail Park, Klein Brak River); 28 July, Southern Cape #2 (Saarsveld, George); 18 August Southern Cape #3 (Oakhill School, Knysna) and 15 September, Southern Cape #4 (Montessori, Knysna). Western Cape: 9 June, Western Cape #1 (Southey Vines Cycle Park, Somerset West); 4 August, Western Cape #2 (Bloemendal Wine Estate, Durbanville Hills); 25 August, Western Cape #3 (HS Montana, Worcester) and 15 September, Western Cape #4, (Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch). For more information visit www.spurmtbleague.co.za
INTRODUCTION OF UCY BIKE PARK IN MACASSAR The idea started off when Russel registered the organisation in 2008, after working with high risk challenging youth in and around the Helderberg basin since 1990. Russel saw the need to keep young people, especially boys out of trouble, and applied to the City of Cape Town Sports and Recreation Department for a piece of land to be utilized for a BMX track and mountainbike trail. The project is supported by the City of Cape Town who has made the land available. A team of volunteer individuals and local businesses who are experienced in the construction and management of BMX tracks and mountainbike trails are assisting Russel to get the track and trail up and running, including the services of a world class American expert who has agreed to assist in the design and building thereof. The UCY Bike Park initiative has recently been launched to build a BMX track and mountainbike trail on the fringes of Macasser where the youth can meet and ride bicycles on a structured basis as a communal cycling group. The construction of the new UCY Bike Park will include exciting unique features for the housing of bicycles and equipment, together with a repair area. Coupled to this venture will be the creation of an opportunity to develop a sense of belonging, self-fulfilment, and establishment of role models, entrepreneurship and leadership and through the use of cycling provide a catalyst to assist in the establishment of a healthy environment within the community. Russel Williams, a highly respected social community leader heads up Unathi Community & Development (UCY), a registered NPO located in Macassar, an area with an unemployment rate of 60%. The main objective of the organisation is life skills teaching in partnership with local schools and using the sport of cycling as an instrument.
021 910 1563 86 Edward Street info@tygerbergcycles.co.za Tyger Valley www.tygerbergcycles.co.za Cape Town 7530
Tygerberg Cycles @specializedtygerberg
Featuring: Authorised Body Geometry Fit Studio Kids’ area Service Centre Lounge area
PAGE 12
What is the purpose of the bike park? The main focus of this initiative is to work and deal with the high risk challenging youth, early school leavers, school drop outs, gangsterism, drug abusers, and keeping the youth away from all kinds of negative influences. An after school feeding scheme is also in planning within a safe environment of educating through life skills, using the UCY Bike Park to reintegrate the youth back to normal social community participants. The purpose is also to create opportunities for the local youth to be able to compete with the broader bicycle fraternity to become champions, professional bike riders, bicycle mechanics and owners of their own bicycle shops. UCY Bike Park needs your assistance as there is still a considerable shortage in terms of funding to make this project a success. For more information contact Russell Williams at 076 279 7126 or visit www.facebook.com/groups/UCYBikePark
ROAD
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio
Stefan de Bod Wins
Achieve Best Result Yet At 2018 Fleche Wallonne
U23 Strade Bianche & U23 GP Palio del Recioto
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio achieved her best result yet in Fleche Wallonne on 18 April 2018 climbing to second place. The South African continued her impressive run in the mid-week classic, one in which she’s been in the top 10 on five previous occasions.
Stefan de Bod, young South African rider for Team Dimension Data Continental started the cycling season in South Africa by winning the overall title of the Tour of Good Hope in March, before departing to Europa to join the Continental Team in Lucca, Italy. It was an incredible day for Team Dimension Data Continental when only two weeks later on 24 March 2018 Stefan rode to victory at Strade Bianche di Romagna. Crossing the line alone, de Bod soloed to victory ahead of Alessandro Covi and Carloalberto Giordani, both from Team Colpack.
Photo: Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio - Photo Credit: ASO/Thomas MAHEUX
Coming into the final, the race conclusion seemed unpredictable with a dangerous 4-rider group off the front. Cervélo Bigla Pro Cycling Team added firepower to the chase and with the move neutralized at the bottom of the Mur de Huy, Moolman-Pasio was ready to contest the win up the steep climb. “I’m very happy. It would be nice to win and it was close but I’m happy with a World Tour podium. We’re getting there one step at a time. It was a game of poker today. It was a perfect run from the team. Everyone was 100% committed in going for the victory. I could really feel that. My legs felt super good and I was so motivated after seeing the great teamwork.” Moolman-Pasio credited the World Tour podium to Team Manager, Thomas Campana – who she said kept her calm on the radio.“There was a moment of panic when the four went off the front and the big teams were there. Thomas really knows his game and gave me such good direction. He came on the radio and told me to stay calm,” Moolman-Pasio said. In previous years, her results were as follows: 2017 6th, 2015 4th, 2014 5th, 2013 3rd, and 2012 5th. Once again an impressive Moolman-Pasio has been knocking on the door all season.
Strade Bianche di Romagna, the u23 version of Strade Bianche took place over 150km around Mordano and included no less than 18 white gravel road sectors.
Photo: Stefan de Bod - Photo Credit: Andrew Peat
126 riders from 21 different teams took to the start of this, the 2nd edition of the u23 Strade Bianche. After overcoming 2 early mechanical problems, de Bod took the race into his own hands with a long solo effort, attacking the break of the day with still over 60km to the finish line. A strong time trialist, the 21-year-old South African was feeling at home out on his own, and would not be caught, taking a fine victory. On 3 April 2018 Stefan de Bod did it again at the UCI u23 GP Palio del Recioto in Italy when he took an emphatic solo victory after attacking on the final climb of the race. The GP Palio del Recioto took place in Negrar, Italy and was raced over a distance of 151km. It was the 3rd time the continental team took part in this prestigious UCI u23 race, with Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (who now rides for Team Dimension Data World Tour outfit) finishing in 3rd place back in 2016.
Cycling for Life - Sustain Special Care for Helderberg Hospice Join Helderberg Hospice on Saturday, 19 May 2018 at Somerset House from 6am to 6pm for their annual Cycling for Life event. Teams of cyclists compete over 12 hours to clock up the most km’s raced on a stationary bike in 1 day. This unique event symbolises the endurance with which every cancer sufferer faces their condition. By participating you are also enabling Helderberg Hospice to sustain the special care which patients receive. Make up a team of up to 12 riders (a corporate team, a social team, or a youth/scholar team), and each of you can ride for an hour. Or if you are fitter, you can make up a team of up to 3 riders – in this case each of you would ride for 4 hours. For the very brave, a solo category has been introduced, where 1 rider completes all 12 hours alone. Cycling for Life is a day for the whole family - there’s plenty of food and drinks on sale, big screen TV and fun activities for children. It’s a great opportunity for corporate team building and staff or scholar community service programmes. Many people ride because they have been personally touched by the special care of Helderberg Hospice. Some ride in memory of a loved one, others in solidarity with friends or family receiving treatment for cancer. For more information contact Cheryl on 021 852 4608 or visit www.helderberghospice.org.za
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BRANDING
A WEBSITE FOR YOUR BUSINESS IS NO LONGER A LUXURY - IT’S A NECESSITY Just because you have invested in a website doesn’t mean that it’s effective in improving your sales. While there could be many reasons why your website isn’t effective, here are some of the most common explanations for website failures. Design is not mobile friendly The mobile revolution continues to grow around the world, this trend toward “on the go digital,” will continue. In other words, internet consumption is moving away from desktops and towards the mobile devices territory. This means that your business’s website has to be optimized for mobile users. Unfortunately, there are still many websites that aren’t mobile-friendly. This is unacceptable for a business since it can lead to penalties from Google, decrease conversation rates and deliver your customers a poor experience. To make sure that your site is ready for mobile users, make sure that you use a responsive design, keep your layout simple and, test it using tools like Google’s Search Console Mobile Friendly Test. Lacking content A lack of content causes customer frustration when visiting a website. This is why your website should contain fresh and valuable content that answers real-life questions. Essential information Besides looking for information that will enhance functionality, if customers are browsing your website, they want to easily find information such as: - The address of your business. If you have a brick and mortar business, include a map link. - Contact information, specifically a phone number and email address. - Social media plugins. - Hours, pricing and an “about us” page. You will surprised at how many businesses still do note have adequate information on their websites. If you are like minded, you refrain from visiting such websites over security or legitimate concerns.
What services do we offer? Designing - Web Rage uses the latest software in the design industry - with an eye on new trends and a passion for creativity. We can provide you with designing solutions from logos, business cards, brochures, catalogues, adverts, and books. Printing - When designing digital artwork it is important to know your limitations, especially when designing artwork in an digital format for printing purposes. What you see on screen is not always the same as what you see on paper. We offer various printing solutions to fit you requirements. Web Design - We make use of content management system (CMS) such as WordPress for the majority of our projects and offer dynamic website solutions. Our approach is to equip our customers with success by providing a full functional website that is viewable on devices such as desktops, tablets and mobile phones. From one page websites to online shopping websites, we can design it. We can custom build your website to use features such as: registrations, login’s, bookings, and memberships. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Web Rage will submit your website to all major search engines. Customers cannot find you on the web via search engines if your SEO structure is not setup properly. It all originates from the name of your business, the way your site is designed, how your content is set out, and how the keywords are used. Social Media - Website and branding on social media is essential to any business! Having your social media platforms connected to your websites, makes it easier for customers to navigate to your business from platforms of their choosing.
Photo: Responsive Website Design Example
Content Loads too slow Customers expect a website to load quickly. In fact, 47 percent of consumers expect a website to load in just 2 seconds or less. And, that’s important to remember because an astounding 79 percent of shoppers who don’t enjoy their website experience less likely to ever return to that site again, nor buy from that site again. Outdated Information Web pages that are maintained and have a current design build trust and credibility. That doesn’t mean that you need to update your site every month. But, if it’s been years since you’ve had a major website design overhaul, then it’s time to find something more contemporary. Businesses should choose the platform that best fits their market and promote it via social media. Having a social media campaign plan is always useful as you are engaging with your customers as well as creating awareness for potential new customers. It is our goal at Web Rage to provide you with professionally designed modern websites and professional branding solutions. For more information contact: 082 628 5028 email: johan@web-rage.co.za or visit www.web-rage.co.za
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b ra n d i n g s o l u t i o n e x p e r t s
b ra
EVENTS
OUDTSHOORN YOUTH CYCLING FESTIVAL 2018 Eden Cycling will host the annual Oudtshoorn Youth Cycling Festival for the 8th consecutive year, during the first week of the June school holiday from Monday, 25 June to Thursday, 28 June 2018.
The focus is more on bike skills and therefore bunch track events on Mountain bikes were incorporated to allow the youth to develop their skills in a safe and secure environment, and at the same time, to give them the opportunity to watch and learn from the more experienced participants. It also provides cross-pollination of events and exposure to different cycling environments. This year the Cross Country (XCO) has been added to strengthen the skills development component of the competition. The program will start on Monday with a Road Race at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm and a Team time trial in the afternoon. On Tuesday the Criterium will take place on the Aurial College Circuit in Bridgeton. Wednesday all the racing will move to the Oudtshoorn Quad Club where the XCO will take place in the morning and the start of the MTB Oval Track racing. On Thursday morning the racing will conclude with the MTB Oval Track racing and final Prize Giving.
The Oudtshoorn Youth Cycling Festival is the stepping stone for young cyclists to develop bike skills and this event aims to create an opportunity for all riders under the age of 19 to participate against other riders with similar abilities. The emphasis is on team and mass participation and all participants will earn points for their respective provincial team and be awarded for their individual performance. This is also an opportunity for the Provinces to identify talent, and assist with development and transformation goals. It is difficult to identify a young rider’s potential if they participate in mass events with adults or other age categories as their competitors.
SYLVESTER MTB
BECOMES A 3-DAY STAGE RACE! The second edition of the Sylvester MTB Challenge will take place on the weekend of 22 - 24 June 2018 with the race village at Grantham Camp in the Karoo National Park, near Beaufort West celebrating the freedom of Sylvester, the Karoo Lion and ride where he once roamed freely! There will be some significant changes with this year’s race. The Sylvester MTB Challenge 3-day stage race will start with a 4.1km prologue on 22 June where riders can choose between a long or a short 3-day stage race. The Long Race race consists of: Day 1 (4,1km prologue), Day 2 (90km), and Day 3: (70km). The Short stage race will test your abilities as follow: Day 1 (41km Prologue), Day 2 (50km), and Day 3 (43km). If a 3-day stage race is not your scene, you will be able to enter any of the abovementioned races and ride the Sylvester MTB Challenge as a 1-day stage race or enter the 11km Trail Run on 23 June 2018.
Photo Credit: Gerhard de Lange
The Oudtshoorn Youth Cycling Festival provides a strong healthy platform to develop riders into future cycling professionals such as Burry Stander, Louis Meintjes, Nicolas Dlamini and Stefan de Bod. Corné Bence, President of Eden Cycling, and organizer of the event said that the Oudtshoorn Youth Festival has shown a good progressive growth and a high level of competition. The entry fee for 2018 has not been increased and the riders can compete in 7 different cycling disciplines. Online Entries for the event will close on Sunday, 17 June 2018. No late entries will be accepted after the closing date. For more information and online entries visit www.edencycling.co.za
THE GREYT ESCAPE MTB CONTINUES TO EVOLVE
Greyton, one of the Western Cape’s best loved mountain biking meccas, plays host to the Greyt Escape three day mountain bike stage race from the 15-17 June 2018. The event showcases the amazing riding on offer in the Riviersonderend Mountains and provides the perfect excuse for a long weekend away in a peaceful country village. Route director Andrew White, has been assisted by iMTB Africa’s, Warrick Kemp to establish challenging but rewarding routes for each stage. All three stages feature iconic singletracks and fabled climbs, but while the routes are undoubtedly tough they are not unduly so – with the distances kept to below 65 kilometres on each stage and with no more than 1 250 metres of climbing on any day.
True Karoo hospitality at the race village at Grantham Camp will be on offer to all riders and supporters with lots of entertainment, food and drink.
Background on Sylvester the Lion: Sylvester arrived at Kuzuko Lodge, a contractual Area of Addo Elephant National Park on 15 May 2016, after escaping twice out of the park of his birth, the Karoo National Park. From the moment he arrived Gerhard De Lange, General Manager at Kuzuko Lodge bonded him into a coalition with another young male from Addo - it fitted Sylvester like a glove. The new coalition was introduced to two young females and eventually opened up out of the original holding boma on 11 November 2016 with the females into a 300ha camp. On 21 January 2017 the four animals were released onto the 15 000ha Kuzuko Reserve.
“All is well with Sylvester and he was seen mating one of the lionesses a couple of weeks ago. He has settled, and is part of a dominant coalition and never once gave me any indication that there is any part of the old Sylvester left – it is an amazing experience to see this animal on a daily basis,” Gerhard said. For more information contact Corne on 074 260 2871 or visit www.cycleevents.co.za
The race also boasts an e-bike category for the riders who want to experience Greyton’s mountain biking to the fullest without having to suffer up the climbs like UFO, Maermanskloof, the Bakenskop Cobra, Davey’s Sprocket and Rocky Horror. That said for riders on purely human powered machines the rewards of the Middelplaas singletracks, Blue Hippo Slide, Nguni Singletracks, Bone Shaker, Luislang and R.I.P descents will more than make up for the altitude gained. Off the bike the treats of Greyton await. With accommodation options left up to the riders’ discretion the bed and breakfasts of Greyton are sure to be bursting at the seams. The event offers entry options which include or exclude dinners – with lunches for the three days included in all event entries – allowing riders the freedom of choice between soaking up the race village atmosphere or visiting one of the village’s eateries for a more private meal. For the riders who choose to spend their time dining in the race village the festive atmosphere of Greyton is sure to take the edge off the riding. The Greyt Escape epitomises the stage race experience, catching up with old friends and making new ones over the shared love of the great outdoors and the amazing sport of mountain biking. For more information visit www.thegreytescape.co.za or contact Race Director Anneke Viljoen on 084 228 0414 or email anneke@freebody-sports.com
Photo Credit's: Jacques Marais
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TEST YOUR MTB FITNESS AT THE AMARIDER 100MILER
The tenth edition of the Amarider 100Miler will be held in Malmesbury on 19 May 2018. This one-day mountain bike ultra-marathon of 160km started from the humble beginnings in 2009 to one of the ‘’must-do-events’’ on the mountain biking calendar. The scenery is beautiful in the Swartland during Autumn and the riding is not technical. The 2017 winner Eric Kleinhans was also the first winner of the event 10 years ago in the most difficult conditions. Last year he raced at an average speed of 28.81 to finish in a record time of 5:33:16 in near perfect conditions.
The route consists predominantly of flowing and fast-rolling dirt road. With 1920m of climbing over the day, it certainly is not flat but very few riders struggle to make the cut-off. Riders can ride as solo competitors or form 4-person (non-relay) teams and enjoy a day out with mates in the saddle. The team results will be based on the 4th rider crossing the line thereby encouraging teamwork and camaraderie. Open and Mixed team trophies are awarded.
The event will use the Amarider Trail Tag system and riders will tag in and out at various check points along For the less daring, a shorter 50 Miler (80km) race option the route. The finish area has a social vibe and offers stalls with great food and drinks, so stick around for a is available. It starts at the halfway mark at Riebeeck beer afterwards, you’ll deserve it after completing this tough race. Kasteel and ends with the 100 Miler riders at the MalmThe proceeds of the race will go towards Amarider’s advocacy efforts, and over the past years have made esbury Showgrounds. This event provides an opportunity projects like the recent opening of new trails on Table Mountain possible. for riders keen to get a taste of endurance riding and For more information visit www.amarider100miler.co.za experience the 2nd half of the 100 Miler route option.
RELAXED AMBIANCE WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS AT DARLING BREW EXTREME The fifth Darling Brew Extreme (DBX18) will be hosted in Darling on Saturday, 26 May 2018 with the start and finish at Darling Brewery. The Brewery offers riders and spectators a relaxed ambiance with family friendly surroundings, ample secure parking and locally brewed beer! The autumn climate of the West Coast promises a pleasant day filled with exciting riding, chilled beers, entertainment and tasty eats. The DBX18 will have four routes to choose from ranging from the super endurance long course to the less challenging short ride for the family, novices and youngsters. The four distances will make use of a combination of single track, jeep track and farm roads in and around Darling. Darling Brew Extreme partnered with MTB Hymalayas with lots of prizes to be won as well as free entries to the Hero MTB Himalaya up for grabs. They also teamed up with Dress, a non-profit community organisation in Darling which invites children between the ages of 4 - 14 to become recycling agents during the event to help keep the environment clean and recycle the necessary items. “We are sponsoring them 2 months rent, giving them 4 bicycles to give to children in the community who has potential or interest in cycling.” For more information visit www.darlingbrew.co.za
Bring your life Somerset West Shop 6 The Hub, Somerset Triangle 021 8500 514 076 8783 832 vos@bikerack.co.za