Cyclists tackle tough 100km route
Cyclists fill the streets of Ekurhuleni for the first inaugural 100 Cycle Challenge.
The sound of bicycles whizzing by, partnered with laughter and encouraging words, filled the air as cyclists prepared to start the inaugural 100 Cycle Challenge last Sunday.
Racers set off from Germiston Lake in batches, ready to tackle the 100km route which would take them throughout Ekurhuleni and bring them back to the finish line at the lake.
Open to South Africa’s dedicated weekend riders and amateurs, as well as the pros, the road race is a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) accredited event that allowed u-23 professional male and female road cyclists to add points to their 2018 world championship standings.
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The 100 Cycle Challenge formed part of the more than 30 road cycling events that make up the UCI Africa Tour, which visits nine countries on the continent throughout the road racing season and provides excellent top-level competition for the continent’s national teams.
The winner of the race’s UCI pro-elite men’s category was Nolan Hoffman from Team BCX, with Jayde Julius from Team ProTouch and Ryan Harris from Team Office Guru Racing taking the second and third places respectively.
The pro-elite women’s race was won by Kim Le Court from Team Demacon, with the second place going to Maroesjka Matthee from Team Ciovita. Third place was won by Lynette Burger from Team Demacon.
Wessel Redelinghuys and Karen da Costa won the open or gran fondo category of the race.
Following the success of the race, the organising team is looking forward to preparing for next year’s event, with the second annual 100 Cycle Challenge set to take place on the first Sunday of May.
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However, not everyone was as thrilled with the event as the organisers were.
In a statement, the Germiston Wheelers Cycle Club distanced itself from the race.
“As a local cycling club, we understand that residents of Alberton, Albemarle, Dinwiddie, Lambton, Germiston and surrounding areas were affected by the road closure due to the 100 Cycle Challenge event that took place last Sunday,” the statement read.
“Many of our members did not take part in the event and were also affected by the road closures, as we too live in the affected areas.
“We feel that the organisers’ lack of interaction with the local communities puts our name, our possible reputation, and that of cyclists in a negative light.
“We would like to assure residents that the Germiston Wheelers Cycle Club was not involved in this event in any way, and all queries or complaints should be directed to the organisers of the race.
“As a final request, please have patience with our members on the road, which we like to share with other road users.”
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