Into Cycling - February 2020 by Into Cycling

DOWNLOAD THE APP

INTO N E W S PA P E R ISSUE #39

February 2020

LIFESTYLE PAGE 6

| JOIN THE CYCLING REVOLUTION! |

GET IN TOUCH

021 852 6400

www.intocycling.co.za

REALTY PAGE 7

ROAD PAGE 8

FREE COPY

MTB PAGE 10

BEAT THE UNBEATABLE AT THE IMBUKO BIG 5 MTB CHALLENGE

Photo: Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge

With the Absa Cape Epic, the world's premier mountain bike race only weeks away, what better way to test your strength and fitness than to take on and conquer the Imbuko Big 5 Challenge on 22 February 2020. The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge aims to be the only South African race that tests riders on an international level when it comes to hill climbing. “We aim to grow the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge in becoming the benchmark event to test skill and endurance to compete in the ABSA Cape Epic and other international moun-

tain bike races.”With 75 kilometres through the gorgeous mountains of Wellington and 5 peaks adding up to a 3000 metres climb, the Imbuko Big 5 Challenge is the ultimate one-day challenge to test your endurance and fitness both physically and mentally. “It’s crazy, 75km with a 3000m climb is going to be a lot of fun. I’ve never done a race with so much climbs in South Africa, so I think if you can maintain on these climbs you can pretty much do anything!” - Candice Lill, SA Ladies PRO.

Continue Reading Page 3

NEWS DEFENDING CHAMPIONS RETURN IN FORCE FOR CAPE EPIC dormakaba is a name that will be familiar to many Absa Cape Epic fans. The team, which has donned red and blue for a number of years, has always arrived at the Absa Cape Epic with an impressive line-up; and 2020 is no different.

INTO

The 2020 Absa Cape Epic Women’s Category line-up will again receive a splash of colour as dormakaba Red and Blue, both consisting of a German/South African pairing, line up at the University of Cape Town on 15 March 2020. dormakaba Red will feature South Africa’s Amy McDougall and Germany’s Sabine Spitz, while dormakaba Blue will be made up of Robyn de Groot and Adelheid Morath.

N E W S PA P E R

While McDougall has Absa Cape Epic experience, having finished second in the Virgin Active Mixed Category in 2017, and fourth in the Women’s category in 2018, as well as winning the Absa African Women’s Jersey, it is undoubtedly Sabine Spitz who is the more seasoned in the team. “Sabine is the quintessential professional, yet completely down to earth and willing to share her wealth of knowledge,” said McDougall about her 2020 Absa Cape Epic partner. “It will be a great learning experience to partner with her; it is important to race with someone you get along with and who understands the nuances of stage racing. The most important thing to remember is absolutely anything can go wrong during the Absa Cape Epic and it is a race of attrition. Looking after your body and equipment and not taking any unnecessary risks is incredibly important as your race can end as quickly as it started.”

GET IN TOUCH 021 852 6400 info@intocycling.co.za www.intocycling.co.za facebook.com/intocyclingsa twitter.com/intocyclingsa instagram.com/intocyclingsa

EDITORIALS editor@intocycling.co.za Deadline 12th each month

ADVERTISING ads@intocycling.co.za

GET A COPY PRINTED C O m e g e t a tast e o f STAG E 5 o f t h e

DOWNLOAD THE APP

INTO

22 February 2020

www.imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za

N E W S PA P E R

Imbuko Family Vintners will be hosting the “IMBUKO BIG FIVE MTB CHALLENGE” on Saturday 22 February 2020.

Riders will endure a total ascent of 3 020m over 75km, making it the ultimate one-day event to test your strength and fitness only three weeks before the 2020 ABSA Cape Epic.

Another reason to take on this challenge - The Imbuko Big 5 MTB challenge is also Stage 5 of the Absa Cape Epic – The Only Way Up and also known as “The Spanner in the Cape Epic” so if your are an Epic rider, enter the Big 5 now and come get an early taste of stage 5. The route is designed by Pieter Van Wyk, who worked on the route design team of the ABSA Cape Epic for many years. Five major climbs (Imbuko ‘Big Five’) will be the main challenges in the race and will take riders through the iconic single tracks of the surrounding mountains of Wellington.

ISSUE #38

January 2020

| JOIN THE CYCLING REVOLUTION! |

GET IN TOUCH

www.intocycling.co.za

021 852 6400

FREE COPY

B R O U G H T T O YO U BY :

TRAVEL EVENTS

MTB EVENT PAGE 5

EATERY PAGE 7

MTB EVENT PAGE 11

REALTY PAGE 13

HIT THE ROADS IN PURSUIT OF CYCLE TOUR FITNESS

Spitz, the Olympic gold medalist, and 2003 World Champion has raced in four Absa Cape Epics to date and achieved her best result, of second place, in 2018 alongside Robyn de Groot. “I joined the dormakaba training camp in December 2019 and Amy was riding really well and was in a good mental space. I was really impressed by the way she rode, and I am looking forward seeing her grow and achieving everything she sets out to do” said Spitz, regarding her new South African partner. “The upcoming Absa Cape Epic will be a superb one. Knowing the Ceres, Tulbagh and Wellington areas definitely helps with pacing yourself and with trail knowledge. The Cape Epic is all about conquering as one, so I am happy to add value to dormakaba by bringing my mountain biking experience to help guide the team through any tough times. We don’t have an A or B team, but having teammates out on the course will be helpful and we’ll support each other no matter what the 2020 Absa Cape Epic throws at us.” In the blue corner is a match-up of Adelheid Morath and Robyn de Groot, who proudly returned to South Africa with a bronze medal from the 2019 Marathon World Championships, held in Grächen, Switzerland.

Photo: Amy McDougall competing in the Absa Cape Epic Photo Credit: Ewald Sadie/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

With two seconds and a third overall in the Women’s category, De Groot is no stranger to the podium at the Absa Cape Epic. Photo: Cape Town Cycle Tour - Photo Credit: Chris Hitchcock

The Cape Town Cycle Tour would like to see you all on the start line on 8 March 2020, so you need to get through the season safely. For cyclists, the long summer days and great weather means early morning or late afternoon rides. Gaining fitness and working off the festive season’s inevitable overindulgences. The usual rules of riding still apply so remember to protect your head at all times. No helmet no ride, even if it is just a spin to the beach. Be traffic conscious too. Remember this time of year is filled with distractions and it is always better to exercise caution, act as if the drivers of cars around you are unaware of your fragile existence on a bike alongside them. Riding with a flashing red rear light will help ensure you are seen but riding defensively, using bike lanes and staying within the

yellow line whenever possible should be your goal. Riding in a group will also help mitigate the risk of muggings and there is visibility as well as safety in numbers, so you will be easier to spot for drivers too. Challenge yourself to attempt your best Cape Town Cycle Tour yet. Race for agegroup placing, clock a sub-3 or knock-oﬀ those extra minutes and duck below the 4-hour mark. Entries to the Cape Town Cycle Tour are open and after a big summer of riding it is the perfect motivation to keep you rolling. With that in mind here are some of the best spots to ride your road bike.

Continue Reading Page 4

R479 9oo* *On-the-Road & Registration Fees Excluded. Model/s Shown May Diﬀer. E&OE. Oﬀer valid until 31 January 2020 or while stocks last.

I2C0120.indd 1

2019/12/27 13:48:50

DIGITAL

Having a partner who is as focussed, skilful, and as fast as Morath will stand dormakaba Blue in good stead to challenge for that elusive top step. “The Absa Cape Epic is an incredible race to be a part of – its super tough and unpredictable and absolutely gruelling. I missed the 2019 Absa Cape Epic after undergoing surgery for kinking and endofibrosis of my iliac artery in January last year, but being out of the action has me looking forward to racing again,” said De Groot when asked about her participation in the 2020 Race. “I was proud and happy with my performance at Marathon Worlds, but it’s a one-day race, in the Absa Cape Epic, you need to repeat your performances every day. It’s also a team event and I have always thought Adelheid would be a great partner so I am excited to race alongside her. She is consistent, reliable, and just races her bike. I think we’re going to make a great combination and our plan is to look after one another and deal with each stage as it comes.” Morath currently has three Absa Cape Epic finishes to her name, in addition to her recent Swiss Epic win. The 35-year-old German also brings with her Olympic XCO racing experience that is sure to be advantageous given the technical nature of the 2020 Absa Cape Epic route. “The Absa Cape Epic is brutal – early starts, rough trails, often cold in the mornings and super hot later in the day, conditions that are completely different to what I am used to at that time of year” said Morath ahead of her first Absa Cape Epic alongside De Groot. “I’m very happy about racing with Robyn, she is professional and fair and I am very grateful to have such a great team in dormakaba. There will be a lot of unexpected challenges, but I’m very motivated and will do my best to perform as well as I can.” With the Women’s category start list gaining impressive names by the week, it will be intriguing to see if dormakaba will paint the Absa Cape Epic red and blue.

GET THE APP

Download QR scanner from app store to scan QR code

NOTICE Articles & Advertisements published in Into Cycling is not necessarily the opinion of Into Cycling unless so stated. Article submission & advert guidelines T&C’s can be viewed on our website.

PAGE 2

NOT TO BE ON THE FINAL DAY OF TOUR DOWN UNDER Defending and two-time champion Daryl Impey has settled for sixth overall at the 2020 Santos Tour Down Under after a 20th place finish on the final stage up Willunga. The South African champion began the final day in the leader’s ochre jersey, with a two second lead over eventual winner Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo), but didn’t have the legs on the final climb. With two hill-top finishes on the 2020 parcourse, the goal was clear for Mitchelton-SCOTT and Impey – pick up as many bonus seconds as possible throughout the week to stand a chance against the climbers. Showing their intentions early, Impey claimed the maximum three seconds at the first intermediate sprint, 15km into stage one. The South African went on to claim a total of 17 bonus seconds, 11 from intermediate sprints during stages and six from his second place on stage two. Not to be on the final day: Happy to allow a break to win the final day, Mitchelton-SCOTT allowed other teams to control the last stage. “I came over the line spent. I knew I was out of it there once I got dropped and I just kept fighting to the line, trying to limit the damage and trying to save the podium. It wasn’t a great day today. I struggled a bit there on the bottom slopes, perhaps paying for quite a busy week but, that being said, we gave it our all. I’m still happy with the performance, obviously disappointed with today, but that’s how it goes,” - Daryl Impey.

Photo: Daryl Impey Photo Credit: Getty Images

NEWS

LUKE MOIR - NUMBER ONE JUNIOR IN THE WORLD As a South African competing on the world stage, getting to the start line of internationally ranked races is a challenge on its own. With no assistance from the national federation, it has been the support of family, private donors and sponsors which currently include: Silverback Bikes, Leatt Protective Wear, South Industry Rims, Red Bull, Thule, Enduren, Bike Park Constantia Uitsig and Skullcandy, that have assisted Luke in reaching this achievement of being ranked the top Junior XCO rider in the World. Luke has a modest nature off the bike but switches on beast mode once his leg is thrown over the saddle of any bike be it XCO, Enduro or a jump bike. Following a stringent training progamme from his coaches at Sports Science Institute, Luke can often be seen doing a number of intervals on the hills of Tokai baﬄing other riders at the speed he can ascend and then leaving them speechless at the effortlessness style and speed that he can descend the technical trails.

Silverback Junior Rider, 17-year-old Luke Moir is officially ranked as the number one Junior Boy in the World for the Cross Country Olympic (XCO) Mountain Biking discipline as of the start of the 2020 season. This is the latest of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) (the world governing body of cycling) World Ranking.

Luke is building himself a great following across his social media platforms including a “Fan Page” that was started by some friends. As a young athlete, Luke is balancing training, racing, sponsor obligations, school life, friends and family (being a middle of three boys) whilst remaining fiercely focused at his task on hand which is building up to the World Championship in June.

The ranking system is based on races across the World over a year in which riders can earn UCI Points. To ensure fairness, the number of races within an individual country that one can gain points. Also the number of races that you can accumulate points towards your overall score are restricted. Riders can accumulate points from their National Championships, Continental Championships, as well as Junior World Series Races spread across the globe. A big boost to Luke’s ranking was finishing in 5th place (despite having a puncture in the last lap) at the 2019 World Championships that took place in August 2019 in Montreal, Canada. Luke is hoping to maintain a top 5 ranking during the season in addition to ensuring a front row start at this year’s World Championships held in Albstad, Germany. His main focus is the podium in June and the coveted title of Junior World Champion. Luke’s longer term goals include representing South Africa as an Olympic athlete in the discipline.

Photo: Luke Moir - Photo Credit - Chris Hitchcock

BEAT THE UNBEATABLE AT THE IMBUKO BIG 5 MTB CHALLENGE (CONTINUE FROM PAGE 1)

“It was a fantastic route, and a good test for the Cape Epic and really good organization. I will come here again for sure!” - Daniel Geismayr, Elite Men’s winner 2019. “I think if you finish the Big 5 you will be fine for any day in the Cape Epic.” Theunis Van Zyl, Imbuko Owner and Mountain biking enthusiast. The Imbuko Big 5 Challenge welcomes the whole family to come and show their support on 22 February 2020. The Imbuko tasting room with its breath-taking views, friendly staff and award-winning wines will be open for tastings and sales, a jungle gym and vast lawns will entertain the kids and food stalls will delight you with breakfast and lunch offerings. Take a drive out to the beautiful countryside and come and enjoy the day with friends, food, wine and of course extreme mountain biking! For more information visit www.imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za

C O m e g e t a tas t e o f STAG E 5 o f t h e

B R O U G H T T O YO U BY :

TRAVEL EVENTS

021

873

7350

22 FEB 2020 ENTer NOW!!

www.imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za

06h30

Beat the unbeatable! PAGE 3

NEWS

JOHAN KRIEGLER TALKS 2020 FNB WINES2WHALES SWITCHBACK That’s why we named it the ‘Switchback’, as many trail sections on Stages 1 (Onrus to Oak Valley) and 3 (Oak Valley to Lourensford) will be different, some completely new, and some new combinations of existing trails. For instance on Stage 1, Rotary View Drive, near the start at Curro School, Onrus, with its spectacular views of Walker Bay, becomes the new Lourensford Climb to sort out the start bunches. Only the first section of Gaf-se-Bos trail in Karwyderskraal will be utilised. A completely new trail will take you on a 120m high contour route, above and past the Arthouse (Water point 2 on Stage 3 of Oak Valley - Onrus route) towards Wildekrans, one of the numerous new Switchback water point locations. The main climb is up Kat Pas, a long gradual climb, instead of walking up Gantouw. The Houw Hoek switchbacks won’t be part of the 2020 Switchback route and existing trails in Paul Cluver and Oak Valley that we haven’t used in years will create a new finish experience.

Photo: Wines2Whales - Photo Credit: Nick Muzik Photography

Johan Kriegler, JK as you know him, sat down to put together a few words about the 2020 FNB Wines2Whales Switchback. How many of the same MTB trails can a mountain biker cycle before she/he gets bored? The answer my friend ain’t blowing in the wind. It’s probably the main reason many riders over the years have asked us; “Why don’t you do W2W in reverse?” and our response was: “We can’t, as the route can’t simply be cycled in reverse.” But then after cycling the route for 11 years, we also thought, “Let’s look at how we can develop a new route, applicable only to Stages 1 and 3, as Stage 2, the play day loop, stays the same.” It can be viewed as revolutionary and risky MTB trail and event thinking, considering that the existing route and event is a winning recipe. However, consider that over the past decade we have built an extraordinary set of trail development skills and a huge network of trails, which can easily be applied to ensure that we create the same ‘FNB W2W Fun-on-a-bike’ experience.

Same for Stage 3, a new combination of the existing A2Z trails to the top of Gantouw, an easier walk down than up, and new trail sections towards Idiom and Vergelegen. At Lourensford we plan to build a spectacular, long and easy riding singletrack to the finish. And of course, the 8km Lourensford climb to the Saddle, won’t be part of the 2020 Switchback. Agreed, it’s always a risk to try something new, but if it’s managed and executed properly, as we’ve done for the last decade, it will create a new and similar magic experience. The FNB W2W Switchback gives us the opportunity to rotate the route annually; one year Lourensford to Onrus and the next year the other way round; the Switchback. Another reason why the FNB W2W has been selected by SA mountain bikers as their favourite 3-day stage race (survey conducted by Tread magazine in 2019). We pride ourselves on not only continuously improving and being the best, but also in leading by example in the creative space. Wines2Whales dates: Chardonnay (30 Oct - 1 Nov), Pinotage (2 - 4 Nov), Shiraz (6 - 8 Nov). Enter now at www.wines2whales.com and join us on a new, but similar and the best MTB experience; the FNB Wines2Whales Switchback, in 2020. Adios Johan Kriegler (Founder of Wines2Whales)

SA TRACK CYCLISTS DOMINATE IN AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS The second gold was won by the junior men - James Swart, Dian Janjetich, Dillon Geary and Jean Spies and Charlene du Preez, top male and female sprinters from South Africa led a group of enthusiastic track athletes to take Kyle Swanepoel, when they claimed victory in the Team Pursuit. Jean Spies, Wade Theunissen part in the African Track Continental Championships held in Cairo, and Joshua van Wyk claimed gold in the Elite Men Team Sprint, while Charlene du Preez and Egypt from 16 - 19 January 2020, where they scooped most of the gold Claudia Gnudi took the women’s title in the women’s category. medals on offer. Day 2: Charlene du Preez won gold in the elite women’s Keirin. Another gold medal went to Day 1: The South African elite women’s squad of Claudia Gnudi, Kyle Swanepoel, who won the junior men’s individual pursuit. Danielle van Niekerk won silver in Ilze Bole, Adelia Neethling and Danielle van Niekerk won the first gold the elite women’s individual pursuit. medal for South Africa in the Team Pursuit on day one of the African Day 3: Jean Spies and Charlene du Preez won gold in their respective sprint races on day Track Champs. M4M Competition Flyer_PRINT.pdf 1 1/20/2020 1:53:25 PM three. Joshua van Wyk and Steven van Heerden claimed gold in the elite men’s madison, while Danielle van Niekerk and Ilze Bole won gold in the women’s event. David Maree won the elite men’s points race and in the Junior men’s category, Kyle Swanepoel took the win.

WIN A R50

000

Travel Voucher with Flight Centre

CMY

Miles 4 Minors, an initiative by Hugo Potgieter and Jaco Lategan is raising funds for Khula Development Group. Known as Team BODYTEC, they will participate in the ABSA Cape Epic in March 2020.

DONATE R100

OR MORE AND ENTER TO WIN.

Every R100 counts as an entry.

DONATE VIA:

- Miles 4 Minors Page on GivenGain - Zapper - EFT or Bank deposits

A LIVE DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE ON COMPLETION OF THE ABSA CAPE EPIC ON 22 MARCH 2020.

(Winner does not have to be present)

RECEIVE ENTRY CONFIRMATION:

Forward the following to bianca@khuladg.co.za to receive entry confirmation: - Valid POP - Name and Surname as displayed in ID or Passport - Contact Number - Country of Residence

BANKING DETAILS:

Khula Development Group | Nedbank Acc No: 1190309882 | BC: 198765 | Ref: Your Name

www.khuladg.co.za Terms and Conditions apply*

• Every One Hundred Rand (ZAR) counts as an entry and will receive an entry confirmation number via e-mail. • You can enter multiple times • Participants should submit required information to receive entry confirmation. • Competition runs from 17 January 2020 – 20 March 2020 @ 1:00 PM (13:00) South Africa Time GMT.

SHARE AND RECEIVE ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

- share this post on Facebook or Instagram - Tag Miles 4 Minors, Khula Development Group and five friends - use the hashtag miles4minors with entry numbers e.g. #miles4minors101#102

Day 4: David Maree added another medal to his name when he was crowned the overall winner of the elite men’s omnium with fellow countryman Steven van Heerden in second. Dian Janjetich was the overall Junior omnium winner. Jean Spies won the elite men’s 1km time-trial and Charlene du Preez won the 500m elite women’s time-trial. The stand-out star performer in the women’s race was Charlene Du Preez who won gold in three different events. “I am very happy with my results, everything went according to plan. I did the Individual Sprint, Kieran and Time Trial and secured a win in all three of my events,” Du Preez said. “The African Track Continental Championships is one of the most important parts in our qualification for the Olympic Games. I managed to win both of my Olympic events, the Sprint and the Keiran in great times. I am really looking forward to what is coming up the next couple of months, leading up to the Olympic Games,” said Jean Spies. Despite dominating Africa, Spies and Du Preez will still have to overcome more hurdles at the World Track Championships in Berlin, Germany at the end of February to determine if they qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo this year. Spies believes South African track cycling is in a healthy position but reiterates there is more work to be done for South Africa to be a force to reckon with on the international stage. However in Africa, South African track is undoubtedly on top.

PAGE 4

MTB EVENT

PAGE 5

LIFESTYLE

SPECIALIZED HAS PARTNERED WITH WAHOO FITNESS TO MAKE SAFETY SEAMLESS

NTT PRO CYCLING ENTERS

INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH VIRTU CYCLING NTT Pro Cycling and Virtu Cycling have signed a letter of intent that sees the Danish business immediately acquire a minority share of the operational company of the South African cycling team. The partnership is built on a shared vision to continue the development of the team along with its commitment to showcase the impact that bicycles have in changing people’s lives. It will also enable Virtu Cycling to further strengthen and develop its brand promise; to create unique cycling experiences. NTT Pro Cycling has announced that it has joined forces with Virtu Cycling, a Danish group of cycling-related activities, in a newly established partnership, effective immediately. The parties have agreed a deal which sees Virtu Cycling invest in one third of the shares of the operational company behind NTT Pro Cycling. Together, the partners will seek to continue the development of the team from both a sporting and an organizational perspective, with a view to long term sustainability and success into the future. This partnership naturally sees the continued commitment and support of the Qhubeka Charity, which incredibly distributed its 100 000th bicycle in 2019. Virtu Cycling is co-owned by former Tour de France winner, Bjarne Riis, and businessmen and entrepreneurs, Lars Seier Christensen and Jan Bech Andersen.

Specialized Bicycle Components announced an important update for ANGi helmet crash sensor users. ANGi can now be enabled from a Wahoo ELEMNT GPS bike computer, making using the sensor a seamless experience. “Safety has always been our priority and we want it to be built into every ride,” said Director of Specialized Digital, Chris Zenthoefer. “Since the day we launched ANGi, we’ve been working on ways to make using it as seamless as possible. Our collaboration with Wahoo Fitness is a major step in that direction.” The integration works with Wahoo’s new ELEMNT ROAM, ELEMNT BOLT and the original ELEMNT. HOW IT WORKS – The Specialized Ride App acts as a bridge between the ELEMNT GPS bike computer and the ANGi sensor when both devices are connected to it. After the one-time initial setup, with their phone in their pocket and the Ride App in the background, the rider can press start on their ELEMNT GPS bike computer and gently shake their ANGi. The bike computer will communicate with the Ride App to enable ANGi and send a ride start alert to the rider’s emergency contacts. (Note: The Ride App must be running in the phone’s background for ANGi and Wahoo to communicate and transfer data). If ANGi detects a potential crash, the countdown timer will display on the bike computer. In the event the rider is OK and doesn’t need to call for help, they can disable the timer from there. Ride recording is performed on the bike computer only. The ride will not be recorded twice. When a ride is saved, it will automatically synch to the cloud and display on the Ride App. The rider’s phone must be online for this functionality to work. RELEASE TIMELINE This feature is available on iOS. Users will need to update their app in order to connect the Wahoo device. Android users will have access to this feature soon thereafter. For more information about ANGi and the RIDE APP visit www.specialized.com/za/en/stories/angi or ride.specialized.com

PAGE 6

Riis will take on the role as Team Manager of NTT Pro Cycling and will build on its sporting development, together with its sporting staff and the technology-driven approach to performance. “Today is yet another significant moment in the history of this team, and indeed its future. The expertise and breadth of experience that Bjarne Riis will provide in supporting the sporting development through our unique technology-driven performance approach will be hugely significant, and further add on to what we have built with our title sponsor, NTT Ltd.” “I believe this partnership will benefit the entire team to help them achieve great results which in turn helps shine a spotlight on our partners, our way of working as a team but most importantly our commitment in support of the Qhubeka Charity. “Danish cycling is in a very strong place and this partnership, together with the foundation that we already have in place, I believe will help develop the team to become one of the best in the world in the years to come. That is our ambition.” Douglas Ryder, founder and Team Principal, NTT Pro Cycling.

REALTY

Realising a Plan B in Cyprus is affordable Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity!

There is a perception that it is very expensive and onerous to realize a Plan B in Europe. In Cyprus – an English-speaking, ex-British colony and full member of the EU – this perception couldn’t be more further from the truth. Cyprus is regarded as one of the safest countries in the world; and last year saw an increase of 65% in property sales to overseas buyers from the previous year. Huge investment is pouring into the economy with all the infrastructural developments and the enormous natural gas fields.

Properties in Cyprus offer excellent value for money when compared to other European countries – especially homes right on or near to The Med. The lifestyle is similar to South Africa: golf courses are world-class, the countryside is breathtakingly beautiful and Cyprus has 65 blue-flag status beaches, the cleanest seas in the Med and a mountain-range where it snows for 3 months. There is no inheritance tax in Cyprus: on your death you can dispose of your assets to your loved ones without having to pay any tax - this is very advantageous for legacy planning. Having a low cost of living – it’s more than 40% cheaper to live in Cyprus than it is to live in South Africa – makes this country even more appealing. There’s never been a better time to explore investing in Cyprus. The best programmes Cyprus has been voted as having the best permanent residency & 2nd citizenship programmes available in Europe. Cyprus’ Fast Track permanent residency programme entitles 3 generations in the same family line to all secure permanent residency FOR LIFE in 2 months of making application. All dependent children up to the age of 25 as well as both the parents AND the parents-in-law automatically qualify under the main investor. You can rent out the property and you do not need to live in Cyprus for the residency permits to be valid, you only need to visit the island 1 day every 2 years. If you are looking for 2nd citizenship, then having an EU passport has enormous benefits. You and your family (including dependent children up to age 28) have unlimited access to the EU and UK. Benefits include being able to travel, live and work anywhere in the European Economic Area; plus visafree travel to more than 171 countries in the world.

Your trusted partners Cypriot Realty – a proudly South African company in operation for 12 years with offices in Sandton, Cape Town and Cyprus – is your trusted partner to realise your Plan B in Europe We are recognised and respected as Southern Africa’s authoritative investment specialists promoting Cyprus as an ideal destination for acquiring EU citizenship or permanent residency, for property investment, for immigration or retirement and starting an EU-based business. We understand investor’s needs, and we have an impressive track record showcasing our success.

Cyprus’ 2nd citizenship programme was voted as being the best is that it is the quickest in Europe - it only takes 6 months to process – but more importantly, citizenship is passed down to future generations and you do not need to live in Cyprus for your citizenship to remain valid. On both programmes your property ownership gives you a solid investment, good rental returns, a superlative lifestyle in The Med; and easy access to Europe. The lifestyle benefits In addition to being a full member of the EU and the Common Wealth, Cyprus is a very popular choice because of the affordable investment entry-level to secure permanent residency & the speed to secure a 2nd citizenship. Cyprus is economically stable and politically secure – the country is not flooded with refugees. LOGO

Property inspection trips

We arrange personalized property inspection trips for you to come to Cyprus to look at the property options and to experience for yourself the lifestyle on offer. From arranging meetings with taxation and legal specialists, to opening up your offshore bank account – we hold your hand every step of the way. Contact us for a confidential meeting to discuss how Cyprus can fit in with your offshore plans – we will assist and guide you every step of the way to realise Your Plan B. Contact Jenny Ellinas Founder & Managing Director Tel : +27 83 448 8734 Email: jenny@cypriotrealty.com Visit: www.cypriotrealty.com

c ypriot y pr iot

Realty

YOUR KEY TO LIVING IN BEAUTIFUL CYPRUS

PAGE 7

ROAD

DIAMOND CLASSIC MAKING A DIFFERENCE The second edition of the Tshwane Diamond Cycle Classic takes place at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre on 24 May 2020 on the outskirts of Pretoria and everything is in place to present cyclists and their families with another delightful day out in secure surroundings. This year the event boasts the distinction of having official seeding status for the Cape Town Cycle Tour. “The facility is beautiful and safe, which enables us to present an array of other activities inside the grounds of Baviaanspoort for kids, spectators as well as personnel working at the Centre,” said the Hectic Promotions non-profit company director Mauritz Meyer. Hectic Promotions has been hard at work with its welfare projects in Cullinan and surrounds since the inaugural edition. “The location of the Correctional Centre is perfect to enable participation from Mamelodi, Hammanskraal and other informal settlements in the area.” The Diamond Classic offers two main event route options of 110km and 50km, which both start and finish at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Facility just outside Pretoria on the R513 on the way to Cullinan. The race is presented in memory of Centurion cyclist Andrew Randall who was tragically killed on his bike before last year’s edition. Cullinan and surrounds represent the perfect route option for a mass participation road cycling event with delightfully quiet roads and good road surfaces, and it’s all very adjacent to Pretoria. The 110km route presents 1030 metres of elevation gain and is mildly undulating, except for a sharp climb on the outskirts of Cullinan at the Petra Diamond Mine up to the 18km mark, which is set to stretch the bunches early on.

The 50km route presents 561metres of vertical ascent and cuts out the long-distance loop towards Bronkhorstspruit and back. A kids’ race (3-4-year-olds and 5-7-year-olds) and 5km fun walk for the entire family is presented in conjunction with the road race inside the grounds of the Baviaanspoort Correctional Facility.

HAROLD CYCLE TOUR ATTRACTS CYCLISTS TO PORT ELIZABETH The Herald Cycle Tour is an annual event in the professional cyclists’ calendar and is known by the country’s top riders as a challenging platform to compete in – which is well-organised and fun. Whether it is the fast-paced coastal scenes during the Road Race from Pollok Beach in Port Elizabeth or the mountain trails of Addo during the Mountain Bike Challenge – the country’s top professional riders, as well as leisure riders of all ages, will be treated to the spectacular natural beauty of the province. The Herald Cycle Tour will take place over two weekends - with the Mountain Bike Challenge on 16 February 2020 at the Addo Polo Club and the Road Race on 23 February in Port Elizabeth. Tiffany Keep raced in Port Elizabeth for the first-time in 2019, when she won the Women’s 106km Classic Road Race of the Herald Cycle Tour. “Port Elizabeth is a beautiful part of South Africa and one which I haven’t been able to travel to before. I really enjoyed the race. The route itself winds its way along the coast, offering some great views to participants. Not many races give you the opportunity to do this, so it really is quite a unique experience.” The races are open to not only professional cyclists, but leisure riders of all ages and an event the entire family can participate in. The Road Race in Port Elizabeth is open to riders over 12 years, while the Mountain Bike Challenge in Addo will include a 5km Kiddies Ride and 50m Toddlers Dash.

WP CYCLING ROAD LEAGUE PLANS & OUTLOOK FOR 2020 The Western Province Cycling Association (WPCA), affiliated under Cycling South Africa (CSA) is proud to announce the launch of their new league format for the 2020 season. WPCA invites new cyclists and the 2019 league riders to participate in the 2020 league season. The aim is to improve the standard of competitive cycling in the region and to prepare aspiring riders for international participation. The WP League opener for the year is the Century City Criterium hosted by the City Cycling Club on 1 March 2020, followed by the Slent Road Time Trial on 22 March. Instead of the traditional format of 10-12 races over the period April to September, the WPCA will be hosting 3 mini leagues in the form of 3 races each - an Autumn Series in April, a Circuit Series in May and a Winter Series in July. “For 2020, racing will again be divided into 3 different categories, however we are introducing a new Category 4 for adults that haven’t raced before, but feel that they would like to test their legs in a full on racing environment.” Category 1 is for the top racing cyclists from the age of 17 and older, whilst Category 2 is a slight step down in standard from Category 1 and is aimed at the talented cyclist also from the age of 17 and older. “This year we are allowing under 17 riders to ride Category 2, upon application to WP Cycling. This is to afford talented youngsters to mix it with the guys that have been at the top, to learn from them, and to test themselves. Please note that this is on application only and only cyclists that are deemed proficient to compete at this level will be accepted. Once accepted to Category 2, these youngsters will remain there for the year, unless it is a scholar specific race that they enter without the opportunity to race Category 2.” “We are also introducing a separate Vets 40+ category within the Category 2 races. Anyone who qualifies for this league can compete in Category 2, but with a separate leaderboard. The same applies as with the U/17’s – once you’re there, you remain there for the year.” “Category 3 is for the cyclists who love to get themselves out on the road in

PAGE 8

Photo: Century City Criterium - Photo Credit: Michel Dei-Cont

racing conditions, but don’t have time to train. Category 4 is the newly introduced category that caters for adults that are novices to racing. This is an introduction to racing at its best. The points system for all categories will be similar to previous years, however with the introduction of the mini leagues there is no opportunity to 'drop' a race.” Autumn Series: 5 April (Bon Mella, Durbanville), 19 April (Red Hill, Simonstown) and 25 April (Windmeul, Perdeberg Cellars, Paarl). Circuit Series: 10 May (Killarney Raceway, Milnerton), 17 May (Rondeberg, Atlantis), and 31 May (Franschhoek Motor Museum, Franschhoek). Winter Series: 7 June (Perdeberg Cellars, Paarl), 21 June (Lady Loch, Wellington) and 21 June (Goudini, Rawsonville). For more information contact sue@myriadevents.co.za or visit www.wpcycling.com

ROAG EVENTS

BECOME A MEMBER OF ROAG

ROAG is the leading service provider in sports event administration in South Africa and offers a wide range of administrative and marketing services to event organisers who require assistance with various aspects of running their sports events. ROAG’s services include: Online entries (www.roag.org), Marketing, Registration and Late Entries, and Timing. ROAG offers event organisers the use of a highly effective, user-friendly and convenient administration system, as well as a full turn-key event admin service. Sports people are provided with an online sports event portal and event registration system. How Can ROAG benefit your participants (ROAG Members)? ROAG enables its members to experience a pleasant and hassle-free event whereby ROAG members are given access to a portal/website that incorporates event related news, info, results, seeding indexes, calendars, an entry system and an interactive profile. ROAG registration is free for your participants. If you would like your event to be listed on our website, our pre-entry service is compulsory. Registration, marketing and timing are charged per service and prices are available on request from events@roag.co.za. How do you become a member? To become a ROAG member, type www.roag.org into your search bar, click on just visiting on the pop up and then click “Register to ROAG” on the top right hand corner. There is no sign up fee and no unwanted communication. Just fill in your life long profile and get entering. ROAG operate in South Africa and Mauritius in the following disciplines: canoeing, kite surfing, mountain biking, multisport, road cycling, road running, swimming and trail running.

LATEST NEWS - SA Downhill Championships 22-23 February

Photo: Ice Cream Gangsters - Photo Credit: M’lani Basson

If you missed the Western Cape Downhill event in Paarl in January 2020 - you have missed out big time. Western Cape Downhill (WC DH) are hosting the SA Championships, the first race in the SA Series and the second Western Cape event of the year - all rolled into one super-duper event at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve in Stellenbosch from 22-23 February 2020.

The SA DH Champs always brings out the big guns in this sport and provides for electrifying riding and spectating and is probably the most exciting mountain biking sport. Two-times national champion, Theo Erlangsen (Commencal and Monster Energy) will be looking for a hat-trick, but stiff competition awaits him. Professional riders Johann Potgieter (YT Industries and Dragon) and Stefan Garlicki (Scott and CrushCore), long-time friends and rivals, will be there to reclaim the title. Other Western Cape riders keen for a look-in at the title are Adi van der Merwe, Jason du Toit, Nico Verlasco and Jasper Barret. As this is a national event, we can expect the likes of Tim Bentley, Struan and Cullen Mc Master also to try and prove their metal. Great-times provide exact times to 100th of a second and a full ambulance service with medics provides safety. This event also acts as Series #1 in the SA DH Series event. The event organisers offer the Saturday as a shuttle-day only to those who just want to bump-shoulders with the big boys and have some fun - no timed racing required. The committee also ensure that there is plenty to eat and drink at the races for spectators and you are welcome to bring your own picnic and enjoy a family outing in the beautiful Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. “Please remember that downhill (race day only) has a compulsory dress code (for your own safety) of a full face helmet, full-length trousers or shorts with knee protectors, long sleeved shirts and full finger gloves. We look forward to seeing you all, and your friends, at our next downhill event.” For online entries visit ROAG.org

UPCOMING EVENTS Greg Minnaar Cycles KZN Gravity MTB Champs #1 Venue: Cascades MTB Park | Discipline: Mountain Biking Region: KwaZulu Natal | Country: South Africa Greg Minnaar Cycles KZN Gravity MTB Champs#1

Illovo Wartburg Classic MTB & Trail Run (2020)

Date: 15/02/2020 Date: 16/02/2020

Date: 15/02/2020

Venue: Wartburg Kirchdorf School | Discipline: Mountain Biking Region: KwaZulu Natal | Country: South Africa

Seeff North Coast Lap Series Special

Date: 13/02/2020

Venue: Umhlali Preparatory School | Discipline: MTB Region: KwaZulu Natal | Country: South Africa

WC Downhill Race #2 & SA DH #1 & SA Champs Illovo Wartburg Classic MTB & Trail Run

Venue: Jonkershoek Nature Reserve | Discipline: Mountain Biking Region: Western Cape | Country: South Africa

KZN XCO Lap Challenge Series #1

Date: 22/02/2020 Date: 23/02/2020

Date: 23/02/2020

Venue: Hutchinson Park, Amanzimtoti | Discipline: MTB Region: KwaZulu Natal | Country: South Africa

3222m Trail Run

Date: 29/02/2020

Venue: Afriski Mountain Resort, Lesotho | Discipline: Trail Running Country: Lesotho Fuel & Gas Kamberg Classic

For more information contact TEL: (+27) 86 100 7624 | EMAIL: info@roag.org | ENTRIES: www.roag.org

PAGE 9

MTB

THE MTB CHALLENGE

TEAM FIRST MOVE UNVEILED

Enter the MTB Challenge, formerly known as the Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge. Off-road racing at its very best, the MTB Challenge hits the Cape Winelands on Saturday, 29 February 2020, offering 15km, 30km and 60km options for all fitness and skill levels. The event has been running alongside the Cape Town Cycle Tour for what will be 20 years in 2020, formerly known as the Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge. In September 2019 the event was handed over to the Pedal Power Association to organise. The decision was made to take the event back to its original roots, where it all began, returning to the beautiful routes at the Banhoek Conservancy, where the event was held in 2013. The venue will be Old Bethlehem Farm situated in Kylemore, Stellenbosch.

Following formidable international careers racing at the highest level with Team Dimension Data for the past eight seasons, Jacques Janse van Rensburg and Jaco Venter have returned to South Africa, but with no intention of taking the pressure off the pedals. Instead, they have their sights set firmly on a new challenge - conquering the world of mountain biking as Team First Move. Jacques Janse Van Rensburg boasts with 6 Grand Tours,105 Grand Tour Stages, 76,520km raced as a Professional, 267km Longest Race, 5th most capped South African, 8 World Tour Monuments and South African National Road Race Champ in 2015. Jaco Venter has 7 Grand Tours, 147 Grand Tour stages, 85,978km raced as a Professional, 293km Longest race, 4th most capped South African, 10 World Tour Monuments and 2016 South African National Road Race Champ under his belt. Both Janse van Rensburg and Venter had backgrounds in mountain biking before joining the professional road circuit in 2012, so it wasn’t a difficult decision to shift focus back to mountain biking at the end of their international road careers. Testament to the calibre of these athletes, First Move Sport is hugely excited and proud to partner with some of the leading brands in cycling that share the same vision and objectives. Trek South Africa has been on board from the onset and has proven a phenomenal partner and resource. The company’s support has been unwavering, and the team is well poised for 2020 with world-class bikes and equipment.

Photo: The MTB Challenge - Photo Credit: Chris Hitchcock

This fun ride is aimed at all ages, shapes, sizes, fitness levels and income groups. The event is open to PPA members as well as non-members and targets both existing cyclists and newcomers to the sport, the average participant and newcomer, as well as elite sportswoman. E-Bikes are welcome to join. In addition to the three routes on offer, we will be bringing in the Bike4All mobile BMX track for the little ones to enjoy. Bike4All has a simple, yet effective motto: Putting more people onto bicycles. “Our info tent will be able to answer any last-minute questions or to purchase replacement MTB boards. A bikeshop will be placed at the start to assist with minor bike adjustments, selling any last-minute spares you might need. Seattle Coffee will be onsite for your caffeine fix with a variety of stalls which include pancakes, food, wine, beer, cooldrinks, biltong, massages. There will be a bike park to ensure more room around the venue, we have introduced the Bike park where you will need to put your bike after you have finished the race. Then you can sit back, relax and enjoy all that the venue has to offer! Kids entertainment will allow the kids to have a fun time whilst mom and dad entry the live entertainment on offer. Bike4All will be bringing in a Bike4All mobile BMX track marking out an easy and fun 500m and 1km route for the little ones to enjoy.” Included in your entry fee will be timing by RaceTec, a finishers medal as well as the beautiful on route experience, fully stocked waterpoints, post-race entertainment, lucky draw as well as goodies at registration. Pricing varies from R70 to R350 depending on PPA membership and distance. The 15km and 30km route option is family orientated with 236m and 466m total elevation respectively. The challenge of the day lies in the 60km route, with an actual distance of 59km with 1886m total elevation. Prize money will be awarded to all distance winners in 2020, with men and women receiving an equal amount. Up to R30 000 can be won. For more information visit www.pedalpower.org.za

Qhubeka Charity has always been an exceptional cause for both riders, and one that has featured throughout their professional careers. The global nonprofit based in South Africa works to help people and communities move forward with bicycles. Both athletes share Qhubeka’s belief that bicycles change lives and are proud to continue their association with, and be ambassadors for Qhubeka. They will now continue their support in the professional mountain biking space. The first race for the pair was the Momentum Health Attakwas Extreme MTB Challenge, that took place over 121km from Oudtshoorn to Groot Brak in the Western Cape. Jaco Venter crossed the finish-line in thirteenth place and Jacques in eighteenth in the elites men’s race. Back in 2007; when Jaco Venter and Jacques Janse van Rensburg were just nineteen, they completed the Absa Cape Epic together. The 2007 race was not their only encounter with The Race That Measures All as each rider returned to the trails in the following years. Their first big goal for 2020 is the Absa Cape Epic. “Returning to the race is very special for us because we rode the Absa Cape Epic together years ago when we were nineteen years old,” Janse van Rensburg highlighted. “Coming back after all we’ve done since then is quite cool. We’ve raced all over the world in the biggest road races out there, so to be on the start line at a race in South Africa at a race of this magnitude, on mountain bikes, will be something new for us!” “We have both raced the Absa Cape Epic before and it’s definitely a special race to do,” concurred Venter. “It has grown a lot since 2007, but so have we. I am really looking forward to racing it again after all these years, the route looks tough but we’ll be ready for it.”

TANKWA TREK UPS THE STAKES FOR SA RIDERS

The Momentum Health Tankwa Trek presented by Biogen will boast one the strongest line-ups of any mountain biking event seen in South Africa in recent years. A plethora of both international and local stars will headline the event in February. In 2020 there will be more than just UCI points up for grabs as race organizers have decided to introduce a new jersey specifically for South African riders.

The honour of donning the South African Leaders’ Jersey will be contested by male and female teams of two, both partners must however have UCI Elite status in order to qualify for the title. The idea behind the award is to entice even more of South Africa’s premier and up and coming mountain bikers to come and experience competing at the highest level of the sport. Not only do local riders now have a chance to test themselves against the best in the world, but they will also be given the opportunity to fight tooth and nail for the bragging rights of being the first South Africans across the line. With the prestige of winning the jersey also comes a substantial monetary reward which will see the victorious pairing walk away with R25 000 on top of any other potential race earnings. The jersey affords an opportunity for talented local riders to get the exposure they deserve even if they do not step onto the overall race podium. The introduction of a new category will also make for fascinating viewing as spectators will be treated to a competition within a competition. The sight of South African riders going to war not only against the highly acclaimed Europeans, but against each other is sure to be a sight to behold. “Momentum Health is a proudly South African business, so it’s wonderful to see how the country’s premier four-day mountain bike race is acknowledging South African riders. This event attracts a stellar line-up each year, and it will add an extremely special touch to acknowledge our own South African talent who not only stand a chance to win overall, but now have an opportunity to win their own jersey,” said Momentum Health’s Carel Bosman.

Photo: Momentum Health Tankwa Trek - Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za

PAGE 10

For more information visit www.tankwatrek.co.za

MTB EVENT

LANGEBERG LINK MTB 2020

A good way to start the September holidays, or even a pleasant weekend break is to experience and ride the Langeberg Link MTB 3-Day stage event on 25-26-27 September 2020 on the farm Oudewerf, Kliphoogte, just 12km outside Swellendam and on the R60 towards Ashton. This is an excellent opportunity to bring the family and enjoy the hospitality of the farming community and explore the foothills of the majestic Langeberg range in the countryside near Swellendam on the Garden Route. The race is open to all mountain bike enthusiasts. Riders can choose between a long route, or a short route and the event also offers solo entries in all three days, or single days. Trail running adventurers can run either a 6km or 15km trail on Sunday, 27 September. The route will follow the start of day three, with a few shortcuts, whilst still giving runners a unique experience.

ROUTE

SERVICES All water points will be well positioned and will be well-stocked along the route on all three days – manned by enthusiastic people from the local community. The riders will be assisted by marshals and well signposted arrows on route, a Sweep vehicle and in addition a medical vehicle to provide medical support. “As organizers, we are extremely thankful to the local farmers, who not only allow riders to traverse their land, but also leave no stone unturned when it comes to preparing routes, build bridges, man waterpoints and act as marshals. To ensure that this beautiful part of the land is not exploited, and to make the ride exclusive, entries are limited,” said Riana Rosseau. Cost: Entry fees for the three-day event is R1 500 per cyclist, and single stages sell at R550 per person per day, and for the kids under 10, R50 per day – provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult.

The Langeberg Link MTB route has never before been cycled on by any race before 2017, and will once again take place mostly on private farm land, not open to the public – thus ensuring the uniqueness of the event. The track, where normal access is limited, is purposely designed that cyclists can enjoy the overwhelming beauty of fauna and flora in the area and experience some breath-taking views of waterfalls. Night Race: The night race on 25 September will be a 2.4 kilometre lap route on the farm. Riders need to complete as many laps as possible within an hour and will have to enter and exit the barn on completion of each lap. The cyclist with the most number of laps will be the winner of the ‘night race’. Although solar lamps at short intervals will be along the route to make it more visible, front and rear lights are compulsory. Day 2: A 61km route that includes a combination of gravel travel, jeep track and single track will be followed. Day 3: The route takes riders into the Langeberg mountain range and although only about 24km, some hills are quite challenging. Your efforts will however, be rewarded by the scenery. The ‘famous Hill’ will once again await riders on route and the first one to cycle all the way to the top will be crowned ‘king/queen’ of the mountain. To accommodate riders who regard themselves not fit enough to challenge the serious hill-work, yet would like to be part of this awesome experience, a less challenging ‘pink route’ on Days 2 and 3 will be made available which will be substantially shorter than the full route.

ACCOMMODATION It should be noted that accommodation is excluded from the entry fees and can be booked via www.visitswellendam.co.za. Tented accommodation with adequate ablution facilities at the venue is available at a reasonable rate for the weekend.

Online entries can be done via www.entryninja.com For more information contact 074 457 6777 or visit www.langeberglinkmtb.com

2020

PAGE 11

GENERAL

WC XCO SERIES KICKS OFF AT BLOEMENDAL The 2020 Western Cape XCO Series kicks off on 8 February at the well-known Bloemendal Wine Estate, with events scheduled for 14 March, 2 May and 30 May to follow the season opener. With Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in sight, many South African riders will take part in as many UCI ranked events as possible in order to secure a place at the Olympic Games in July. Alan Hatherly, Mariske Strauss and Candice Lill are the top ranked South African riders currently. To find out more about the qualification process visit the UCI website: http://ow.ly/64Pl30qcS6l The 2020 Western Cape XCO Series promises to be very exciting as a host of fast riders make their way into higher categories, notably in Junior Men and Women, as well as Youth Men. Luke Moir, currently ranked highest Junior Men in the world, and winner of the 2019 SA Cup XCO Series’ Junior Men’s category will still be riding in the Junior Men’s category this year. Moving into the category is the 2019 WC XCO Champion Luca Ruwiel, Kai von During, Aiden Penfold (2nd and 3rd in 2019 WC XCO Championship), and Justin Chesterton. Moving up into the Junior Girls’ category is Andrea Schofman, 2019 WC XCO Champion, joining Stefke Tolmay, Nienke Mostert and Julia Marx. “We will see very exciting racing in the Junior Men’s and Junior Girls’ categories for sure!” “We can expect similar excitement in the Youth Men’s category, as a very strong group of Sub Junior boys move up into this category. The top 3 in the 2019 WC XCO Championship Hendre de Villiers, Luke Kavanagh and Alec Coleske will be joined by SA XCO Champion Philip van Schalkwyk. This is one of the strongest groups coming through the order, and these boys will dominate the category. Joining the U23 category for 2020 are the highly regarded Daniel van der Walt and Johan van Zyl, who recently signed a contract to ride for Scott. “We can expect spirited efforts from these two. Elite riders such as 2018 U23 World Champion Alan Hatherly, Mariske Strauss and Candice Lill will probably take part the WC XCO Series to hone their skills for the Olympic Games, but they cannot take their eyes off the new riders in the category. Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club generously made a financial contribution towards the series for 2020, continuing their support for the development of mountain biking. Further to bolster the media coverage of the series, Into Cycling Newspaper will be the Official Media partner for the WC XCO Series. Venues for upcoming events will be confirmed soon. “We are happy to continue our partnership with the WP MTB Commission, who is responsible for the WC cycling disciplines. As with ourselves, they are also a small group of volunteers at the helm, who need as much support they can get, to ensure they fulfil their tasks as best they can,” - Morné Veer, representative of Tygerberg Mountain bike Club. “Developing the sport and being part of the bigger picture herein, is something that we are passionate about, especially among the youth. The XCO Series is an extension of the already successful Spur schools program,

LET'S GO

Photo: Western Cape XCO Series - Photo Credit: Ewald Sadie

and we have seen first-hand how kids of all ages, members of our club as well as non- members, have progressed in the WC XCO series, and went on to achieve fantastic results outside of the province, and abroad. However, we are not performance driven and for us, participation is the real objective and we’re continuously striving towards this goal.” “Many of our club members participate in the series, and we look forward to having the first event of 2020 at one of the club’s most iconic venues, Bloemendal Wine Estate on 8 February. The course is of premium quality, and one that hosted the wheels of many international superstars (such as Nino Schurter, Henrique Avancini, Sam Gaze, Alan Hatherly, to name a few) in the past.” “We invite our members never having done an XCO race before, to bring along a friend and line up – contrary to perception, racing is open to all and not just elite or provincial athletes. Looking forward to again be part of the series this year and seeing the discipline grow,” Morné concluded.

BUFFALO CITY WELCOMES THE 13TH IRONMAN 70.3 SOUTH AFRICA

Great race conditions made the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa in Buffalo City one to remember for Matt Trautman and Flora Duffy, winning the men’s and women’s races respectively. Orient Beach (in Buffalo City) provided a picture-perfect sunrise for 1 474 athletes from around the world marking the introduction to the first IRONMAN 70.3 of the 2020 season, one to remember. With the water temperature at 14.5 Degrees Celsius (making it a wetsuit compulsory swim) and the air temperature reaching 27.5 Degrees Celsius, this set the scene for what would be a thrilling battle between the athletes. Athletes competing

2020

As we WHEELIE into 2020 with MOMENTUM SCSA wishes all Schools best of luck with the 2020 Schools Cycling season! FEBRUARY 2020 DATES & PROGRAMMES Please contact Provincial Chairperson or secretary. Visit www. schoolscyclingsa.co.za for contact details. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

#StrongerTogether #SCSA www.schoolscyclingsa.co.za

PAGE 12

Photo: Matt Trautman - Photo Credit: Craig Muller/IRONMAN

in Africa’s toughest IRONMAN 70.3 distance triathlon were greeted with a 1.9km ocean swim at Orient Beach, followed by a 90.1km bike down the N2 highway and turning around at the Berlin Off-ramp before taking on a 21.1km run which consisted of two loops of the Esplanade. Top three PRO men’s results: Matt Trautman (1), Bradley Weiss (2), Henri Schoeman (3). Top three PRO women’s results: Flora Duffy (1), Emma Pallant (2) and Jade Nicole (3). “I was super determined for this race for some reason. As a PRO, you always want to win and I really wanted this one. With little Riley (son) and Nicole (wife) cheering me on I got some extra dad power, it’s a fantastic feeling. After coming second last year I needed that extra little bit of motivation, I’m really happy to come away with the win,” said Matt Trautman, upon crossing the finish line. Flora Duffy said, “This is my first IRONMAN 70.3 and I decided to do it because I really wanted to qualify for the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship which are in November. I spent half the year here in South Africa training in Stellenbosch. My husband is South African, so this is kind of a second home for me and this was the only opportunity to fit an IRONMAN 70.3 in because I primarily race the Olympic distance triathlons.” The 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa saw athletes representing 30 nations with a total of 91 international athletes. The biggest local contingents came from Gauteng (328 athletes) followed by the Eastern Cape (328 athletes) and Western Cape (281 athletes). This race kicked off the triathlon season with a bang.

GENERAL

IRONMAN AFRICAN

HENRI SCHOEMAN MOTIVATED

IRONMAN South Africa, a Wanda Sports Group company, announced a change to the bike route for the upcoming 16th IRONMAN African Championship. The annual event will take place on 29 March, 2020 in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The 28-year-old Henri Schoeman has begun his preparation for Tokyo with some intensive training around Durban and the triathlon event which takes place in June.

CHAMPIONSHIP BIKE ROUTE RETURNS

After ongoing monitoring of route conditions, taking into account feedback from athletes and local stakeholders, organisers have taken the decision to throw back to the popular, nearly all-coastal bike course enjoyed by athletes between 2016 and 2018. The course will take athletes from Hobie Beach, along the coast before heading slightly inland, touching down back towards the coast and turning at Seaview Village to complete the reverse back to transition.

TO SUCCEED AT TOKYO OLYMPICS

Durban North resident, Henri Schoeman, is hoping to secure a podium finish at this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games in the triathlon event. In the build-up to the men’s triathlon at this year’s Olympics in Tokyo, Henri Schoeman had pinned his hopes on shining for South Africa. At the 2016 games, Schoeman stunned the world to finish third and win a bronze medal to give South Africa its first ever medal in the sport of traithlon at the Olympics.

During the event’s 16-year history the race has undergone various evolutions to strike the right balance between endurance challenge, embracing the best of the stunning location and providing an unforgettable athlete experience. The course features a great contrast between sweeping coastal views and green countryside. From an experiential perspective, the route is slightly faster with 685m elevation gain as opposed to 865m on the previous course. The course was also rated at 94% by athletes for overall bike course satisfaction in the Athlete Survey compared to 92% for the 2019 course. This route takes athletes along Marine Drive to Schoenmakerskop where the road makes a right, up a steady climb. Athletes then continue for 4kms before taking a left turn onto Sardinia Bay Road. Once through the Sardinia Bay area, athletes take a sharp right turn with a short climb up Heron Road. At the next intersection, Seaview Road, athletes will turn left and enjoy an undulating and scenic countryside section. On entering Seaview village, there is a sharp left onto Elizabeth Road. Athletes then turnaround and head back on the same route to transition. The swim course remains the same with the 3.8km swim taking place at Hobie Beach.

“It hasn’t been the best start to the preparations to be honest because in the last half of 2019 I was hospitalised and was out for four weeks which hampered my training. I was also struggling with an Achilles injury which I’ve had some rehab on. The highlight for me was getting married to my wife, Franzel. I took some time off to go on honeymoon and I’ve just now started feeling like myself before the injuries and illness. My dad, Joe, has been a great help as well and we’ve set out an intensive training programme in the weeks leading up to Tokyo,” he said. Schoeman will also be doing a few selected races in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) series in the lead-up to the games.

Photo: IRONMAN African Championship - Photo Credit: Craig Muller/IRONMAN

The change comes on the 180.2km bike course. On exiting Transition, athletes will turn left as the bike course will head out and back along Marine Drive towards Schoenmakerskop, Sardinia Bay and Seaview area. A fast-flat four loop run course along the beachfront awaits the athletes once out of Transition. When exiting Transition, athletes will turn right onto Marine Drive heading towards Humewood, turning around at Perrott Avenue and going back down Marine Drive, past the Transition area where they will then then turn right up Admiralty Way to the University Way junction, running around the island and continuing back on the same route for the next loop.

“I’m possibly looking at doing four or five races for this year’s series before Tokyo. Competing in the series I feel is a nice marker to see where your form is. It’s also a chance for you to get fitter and it really tunes you up and you see which areas you need to work. I’ve been very selective in the races I’ll be doing this year. The one series race I will do is in Huatulco in Mexico. It’s going to be a very hot race and similar to the conditions in Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo where the race is going to be held. I will also be spending two weeks in Phuket, Thailand, prior to travelling to Japan again to acclimatise and be fully fit,” he said. Schoeman said he was looking forward to the event having had a practice run at the venue last year. “Last year we all had a chance to race at the same venue and the course was great. The test event helped me familiarize myself with the seasonal temperatures and conditions that I can expect this year. I’m trying not to focus on the athletes around me and just focus on myself as the countdown to Tokyo begins. I obviously would like to secure a podium finish but I know it’s going to be difficult and there are still so many steps to take before getting there but my vision is to medal and make SA proud,” he said.

2020 KZN ROAD AND TIME TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIPS WRAP The 2020 KZN Road and Time Trial championships were held in the small picturesque town of Harburg in the uMshwathi municipality. The event kicked off with the Time Trial on Saturday, 25 January followed by the road race on Sunday, 26 January 2020. The Time Trial was won by Travis Stedman who set the 30km course alight with the fastest time of the day. Travis is only 18 years old and beat seasoned campaigners, again showing the road cycling community that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future. The ladies race was won by Frances Janse van Rensburg (Absolute Motion) who flew over the 30km course to set a time that not only saw her winning the ladies category convincingly, but her time was good enough to place her in the top 10 fastest times overall for the day. On Sunday the proceedings kicked off with the 1st group leaving at 6am on a 40km loop that offered racers a bit of everything. From fast flowing downhills to hard climbs and some stunning views thrown in-between. The women’s’ race, 2 laps of the 40km route, was won by Tiffany Keep (Absolute Motion) who narrowly beat Frances Janse van Rensburg in an exciting sprint finish. The elite men’s race was a grueling 120km, 3 laps of the 40km route, with temperatures climbing into the low 40 degrees towards the end. After just over 3 hours of exciting hard racing that saw the KZN Road Cycling team of Luke Chambers, Keagan Matthews and Wessel Swanepoel (Absolute Motion) making life very hard for everyone, the race was won by Travis Stedman who caught a flying Henry Liebenberg (Absolute Motion) only meters from the finish line. Absolute Motion again showed their expertise in making cyclists fitter and faster at the 2020 KZN Road and Time Trial Championships with their athletes winning a large number of medals. Absolute Motion coached athletes that have been attend-

ing training camps since the middle of December 2019 already in preparation for the 2020 season and the hard work has definitely paid off for all of the athletes who achieved their goals of achieving a podium. Johann Wykerd, head coach at Absolute Motion, shared with us that it is difficult to get the athletes to peak for a race that takes place this early in the year. “While most of us would prefer to have a relaxed time with family and friends during the holidays, those athletes who are serious about chasing their podium dreams at the KZN Road and Time Trial Championships need to have a lot of discipline in doing the hard work during this time.”

PAGE 13

THROWBACK

BEERS & STENERHAG WIN 2020 ATTAKWAS EXTREME

EXTREME WEATHER

CANCELS STELLENBOSCH CYCLE TOUR Due to extreme weather conditions experienced in the Cape Town, the Pedal Power Association (PPA) was compelled to cancel the 2020 Medihelp Stellenbosch Cycle Tour which was set to take place on Sunday, 19 January in and around Stellenbosch. With a wind forecast of up to 95 km an hour along the 97 km route throughout the day, the safety of the more than 3 000 riders who entered the race would have been in jeopardy if the race continued. At 03:00 on Sunday morning, an emergency consultation was held with the Venue Operations Centre (VOC) Safety Officer, the title sponsor of the race, Medihelp Medical Aid, PPA Management and the Risk Assessment and Event Managers from ER24. The various assessment teams were sent out to evaluate the conditions and communicated visuals to the VOC of extremely unsafe conditions along the route, upon which the decision was made to cancel the race.

Photo: Momentum Health Attakwas Extreme - Photo Credit: ZC Marketing Consulting

NAD Pro MTB’s Matt Beers and Fairtree Capital’s Jennie Stenerhag started the 2020 mountain biking season in the best possible way on Saturday, 18 January. The pair overcame formidable elite, men’s and women’s, fields to win the Momentum Health Attakwas Extreme. Depth of competition and the famously difficult course were made more challenging by the unseasonal weather. A muddy Beers was the first rider across the line and the only person to break the 5-hour barrier in 2020. His winning time of 4 hours, 59 minutes and 25 seconds was 12 minutes off the course record. That was no reflection on the effort the man from Knysna put in though. A slower first 30 kilometres, a head wind in the final 60 kilometres and tacky roads which pilfered momentum at every opportunity made for unfavourable conditions for chasing the record. PYGA Euro Steel rider Matthys Beukes rode away to second position, while Wessel Botha crossed the line third. In the women’s race Stenerhag made the racing from the first serious climb of the day. The Swedish marathon champion distanced her fellow elite women at the 30-kilometre mark and only Robyn de Groot could bridge across to her. The Fairtree Capital and dormakaba riders remained together until the finishing straight. De Groot crossed the finish line a single second after Stenerhag, while Hungarian cross-country champion Barbara Benko came third, completing the podium in her Attakwas Exreme debut. Further back in the field there were big smiles, despite the rain. As the afternoon wore on the precipitation fell with increased intensity and each rider across the Pine Creek Resort finish line was muddier than the last. “One thing you can be guaranteed of at the Atttakwas is that it will be extreme” said Oliver Munnik, who finished in forty sixth position overall.

RECORD NUMBERS

TOOK PART IN GROOTBRAK GRABADOO

“It is truly disappointing that we were forced to cancel the Medihelp Stellenbosch Cycle Tour due to these extreme weather conditions. Being one of our flagship events, a lot of time and effort has gone into the preparation of this event. The PPA, however, places the safety of cyclists first and foremost,” said Rens Rezelman, Chairman of the PPA. Newly appointed Principal Officer of Medihelp Medical Aid, Ettie da Silva, said that Medihelp donated the food which had been prepared for the day to The Haven Kensington charity. “We would like to thank everyone for entering the race as well as all our suppliers, sponsors and partners for being so understanding on the day,” Rezelman concluded.

WESTERN CAPE CHAMPS Cape Winelands Cycling hosted the Western Cape Road and Time Trial Championships from 11-12 January 2020 at Perdeberg Cellar with riders from Eden, Cape Winelands and Cape Metropole competing in their respective age categories to be crowned as Western Cape Champions. The Individual Time Trial on Saturday and the Road race on Sunday produced excellent results - all in preparation for the South African Road and Time Trial Championships to be held in Mpumalanga from 5-9 February 2020. Louis Visser rider for Team TEG Procycling Team started the cycling season on a high note when he won the 138km Western Cape Road race, earning the U23 Western Cape Champions jersey. From the start Louis attacked the peloton and put them under pressure. At the 2km mark 6 riders broke away which was reduced to only 2 riders 2km later. Louis Visser and Reinhardt Marais from Alfa Bodyworks / Giant were only caught around the 82km mark by Byron Munton, Ben Fish and Carl Bonthuys.

The Grootbrak Grabadoo, one of the most popular cycling events in the Garden Route and the perfect way to say goodbye to the old year, took place in Great Brak River, Mossel Bay on 31 December 2019 with 1640 participants, of whom 78% hail from outside the Garden Route. Besides the huge marketing value for Grootbrak, the economic contribution into the local economy is calculated at around R150 000.00. The Great Brak Business Forum created a wonderful atmosphere in which local small businesses made use of the opportunity to sell their wares to the cyclists, runners and supporters alike. One of the stalls was manned by CAWS4PAWS. The Youth Café served delicious pancakes and along with the Mayflower Cricket Club, were instrumental in the recruitment of officials who received training before the event. Vodacom was once again the premier partner, with supporting partners Powerade, Thinus Nel Motors, De Dekke Spar, De Kaap Estates, Mossel Bay Tourism, Eco Bound and Coimbra Cycle house. Mossel Bay Tourism endorsed the event for the first time with active involvement in the pre-entries and they manned one of the water points and sponsored the buffs for the long-distance cyclists. Runners, walkers, families and even pets did participate in the most beautiful walk in the Garden Route, South Africa, around the Great Brak River in a 4.8km route. Mountain bikers had a choice from 4 exciting routes which includes some wonderful twists and turns in the forest – 15km, 36km, 53km, and 71km. The 2020 Grootbrak Grabadoo will take place on 31 December.

PAGE 14

Byron and Louis managed to escape the 4 man group with about 11km to go and sprinted to the finish with Louis taking the win. Byron Munton (U23) placed second and Rainhardt Marais (U23) in third. The elite men’s title was won by Ben Fish followed by Alexander Parsons in second and Etnard Louw in third. In the women’s road race it was a battle between Maroesjka Matthee and Liezel Jordaan who came first and second respectively with Kylie Hanekom in third place. Liezel also won the women’s time trial. Some Time Trial results include the following winners in their respective categories: Carl Bonthuys (Elite Men), Byron Munton (U23), Bobby Troskie (Junior Men) and Sophia Friedrich (Junior Women). “The Western Cape Road Cycling Championships were an outstanding success. With more than 130 competing in the Time Trial, and over 260 in the Road Race, the standard of racing was extremely high. The routes were diverse with different configurations for the different distances. The Elites and U23 Men rode a challenging 138km route which, while not having any major climbs, tested the legs with its incessant rolling hills. The vets, while doing shorter routes, were also challenged. The youngsters rode a familiar route to those who participate in the WP League races - a 25km loop, starting and ending at Perdeberg Cellars. Temperatures in excess of 38 degrees on the day meant that a fair amount of participants failed to complete the course,” - Sue Kirk, Myriad Events.

CYCLING EVENTS

EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020 EVENT

DATE