Paarl Boxing Day’s deep roots

The “focal point” of track cycling in the Cape, the iconic Paarl Boxing Day track cycling event, brings with it exciting new aspects and carries years of history and stories of past riders. As always, the much-celebrated event will take place this year at the Faure Street Stadium in Paarl on Saturday, December 26.

Remembering back to stories of previous Paarl Boxing Days is former Cycling South Africa (CSA) president, Pehr Gotthard Bernhard (Gotty) Hansen. 81-year-old Hansen is one of the country’s greatest cycling legends of the pedal and continues to spread the good news about the development around track cycling in South Africa.

“The feeling of going to Paarl Boxing Day was almost, if not greater, than going to Worlds. It was definitely the focal point of track cycling in the Cape,” he said.

Hansen, who has won the iconic 25 Mile race twice, came in second once and took the third spot also once, recalls the feeling that accompanied the title. “To win at Boxing Day is awesome. I began cycling at the age of 18 and became a life member of the Bellville Cycling Club in the 80s. It was an incredible club and one of the strongest in the country. When a Bellville rider won the 25 we would stop at the Klapmuts Hotel, fill the trophy and celebrate.”

In the early days, Hansen mentioned the pacers, who would be allowed to come on to the track to assist riders who had broken away in an effort to lap the field. “One of the most famous winners of these was Bennie Gelderblom – a young Paarl rider – who had also broken away like this. The Paarl public went ballistic,” he said.

“With Cycling South Africa working hard to have track cycling included on the 2022 Commonwealth Games cycling programme, this Boxing Day event plays a significant role in promoting the awareness and popularity of track cycling in the country, thereby strengthening our case for inclusion in the 2022 Commonwealth Games programme,” said CSA president, William Newman.