South Africa: Nation Gears for Msunduzi Road Challenge

SouthAfrica.info (Johannesburg)

15 July 2011

Planning is in full swing for the first ever African leg of the 2011/12 UCI World Cycling Tour, the Msunduzi Road Challenge, taking place in the KwaZulu-Natal capital of Pietermaritzburg on 29 and 30 October.

Cycling South Africa’s event organisers are finalising details with the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) and local traffic authorities regarding the all-important road race and time trial routes.

The time trial competition will take place on Saturday, 29 October and the road race will be staged on Sunday, 30 October.

Entries

Online entries for the Msunduzi Road Challenge open on 25 July on the www.cyclingsa.com.

Entry fees for the road race are R200 ($30 or -25) and R120 ($20 or -15) for the time trial.

One of a worldwide series of mass-participation road events, the Msunduzi Road Challenge is expected to draw considerable interest from cycling enthusiasts from all over the country.

It serves a dual purpose: on the one hand, enthusiasts can cycle the new event as they would any other road race; and on the other hand, interested and seasoned competitors can test their speed and qualify for the one-off UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) Final in 2012, previously known as the UCI Masters Road World Championships.

World champions

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

The UWCT is made up of a series of 10 UCI-sanctioned qualifier races, which are held around the world, in the lead up to the UWCT Final, which was formerly known as the UCI Masters Road World Championships.

The top 25 percent in each age group of the qualifier events will automatically have the right to compete in the UWCT Final and race for the coveted UCI rainbow jersey. It’s an opportunity for cycling enthusiasts tp become world champions.

‘Cycling for All’

Another aim of the new initiative is to contribute to the international promotion of the UCI’s “Cycling for All” events.

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

South Africa is a world leader in mass-participation cycling events, with races such as the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, and the Amashova Durban Classic among the leading events.

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