Tour de Limpopo comes to Tzaneen again
Tzaneen will once again be one of the towns hosting the 'Tour de Limpopo', an international cycling competition an the action starts this Thursday 16 May.
According to the Tour de Limpopo website, the event will be a four-day stage race starting at Bela Bela and heading North to the capital city of Polokwane.
Teams will stay overnight before heading east to the town of Tzaneen, where riders will stay for two nights before heading back to Polokwane on Saturday, May 18 to finish the Tour at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The competition saw a collaboration between the Limpopo Tourism Agency and Cycling South Africa, showcasing the diversity of the Limpopo Province as a premier cycling destination.
The 2018 event attracted 18 international professional cycling teams and produced some of the most amazing views of the Greater Letaba district and the Magoebaskloof.
Limpopo Tourism Agency CEO, Nomasanto Ndlovu, announced that the event will also return to the province in 2020.
“Adventure Tourism is another fast growing segment in Limpopo Province and it attracts a high volume of cyclists who visit for mountain biking, as well as 4×4 off-road enthusiasts from all over South Africa and beyond.
This finds resonance with LTA’s Marketing Strategy, particularly on the sport tourism front, mainly due to the province’s scenic beauty provided by the topography.
This event will help grow the province’s sport tourism profile,” explained Ndlovu.
The Elite race will comprise teams of six riders and three support crew.
Pro Continental Teams, National Teams and Local regional/professional teams will be invited to participate in the tour.
The interest in the tour has grown with over 24 teams expressing interest to participate. These teams span four continents, representing 14 countries.
Also read: WATCH LIVE: Tour de Limpopo cyclists approach Tzaneen on Day 1 of the event
Teams will race for General Classification, Sprinters jersey, King of the Mountain jersey, Best Young Rider and Most Aggressive Rider, as well as Overall Team Classification.
To involve as many people as possible, the event will introduce some new concepts this year.
From “best host municipality” to school competitions, and a cycle challenge up Mount Agatha, outside Tzaneen.
The teams will arrive at Bela Bela on Tuesday, May 14 for registrations and welcoming dinner, the next day the competition begins where the cyclists will ride 172 km from Bela Bela to Polokwane.
On Thursday, May 16 they will continue with their journey riding 96km from Polokwane to Tzaneen, the next day they will be competing in Tzaneen to Modjadjiskloof and Tarantaal and will conclude the event on Saturday, May 18 leaving Tzaneen to Polokwane where it will be finalised by a dinner.
