NELSPRUIT – With just two weeks to go until the 2014 TRAC N4 Cycle Tour, Trans African Concessions is hard at work preparing the route for the four-day competition.
Some of South Africa’s best young cyclists will take to the challenging roads of the Lowveld in this five-stage event from March 27 to 30. Although the area’s roads have taken some strain due to the recent heavy rain, TRAC’s maintenance teams are going all out to ensure that the N4 remains in pristine condition.
According to the concession’s communications officer, Ms Solange Soares-Nicholson, this year’s tour will comprise five categories, namely under 16 boys, junior men, under 16 girls and junior women, under 23 men and elite women with each category riding the different routes.
“This year’s routes were carefully chosen to showcase the Lowveld’s splendour at its best and will take cyclists through iconic towns and landmarks such as Sabie, Schoemanskloof and Kaapsehoop,” she said.
Soares-Nicholson added that a race of this magnitude required the implementation of specific road-safety precautions such as road closures, which in this case will be effective on certain race days only. Motorists are advised to take note of the following road closures and urged to use alternate routes where possible:
March 27
Schoemanskloof Road closed from 07:00 to 13:00
Stop/go’s at Montrose (N4) from 08:00 to 10:00.
March 30
Stop/go’s at Ngodwana (N4) from 09:00 to 11:00.
TRAC also urged motorists to be conscious, patient and respectful of competing cyclists and to obey all corresponding road safety regulations.
“We also encourage all Lowvelders to support this national race, which traditionally has major socio-economic benefits for the region,” concluded Soares-Nicholson.
For a full route itinerary go to www.hatoere.co.za.
