AUTHORITIES have assured cyclists eager to enter the aQuellé Tour Durban on 29 April that repairs to the flood-damaged M4 Ruth First Highway will be completed in time for the popular road race that has a loop from Moses Mabhida Stadium to Mdhloti and back as a central feature of the three races staged on the day.
The M4 was badly damaged by flooding between Sibaya and Mhlanga in November, and the repair was hampered by further flooding in December.
However, local councillors have been given a clear assurance from the Durban Metro Police and the Department of Transport that the repairs to the M4 will be ready for the race on the Freedom Day long weekend at the end of April.
DA councillor Nicole Bollman, who represents Ward 35 that covers the affected section of road, said after a meeting of all the parties involved with the repairs to the M4, that the road surface would be ready for the aQuellé Tour Durban.
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“Everyone has committed to having the repairs ready for the race. We cannot predict what the weather is going to do in the coming months, and if we have another flood that will obviously hamper the repair work. However, the repairs are progressing well, and all the parties concerned have committed to having the structural repairs completed and a surface on that section of the M4 that is ready for the race,” said Bollman.
Entries for the race, which attracts around 5000 riders over the 115km classic distance, and the 90km and 45km races that are based on the popular out-and-back loop on the M4 have started to stream into the race office, but concern over the readiness of the M4 has been a central concern.
“We are very grateful to all the parties involved for their commitment to the timeline for the repair of the M4,” said race director Alec Lenferna. “
Entries for the road race are now open at https://www.cycleevents.co.za/road-events/aquelle-tour-durban-2020/ and new MTB races can be entered at https://www.cycleevents.co.za/mtb-events/aquelle-tour-durban-mtb-challenge-2020/
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