Get ready for the East Rand Classic
"It gives cyclists an opportunity to have a great day out on the bike before the Jozi winter chill really sets in.”
Set to be held at the end of this month, the East Rand Classic will test the skills of cyclists while offering variety and fun.
Formerly known as the Emperors Palace Classic, the cycling event will be held on April 27 and 28.
Competitors can look forward to much of the same from previous races with the only major change being the new race venue at an Airports Company South Africa parkade.
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The new venue, adjacent to the OR Tambo International Airport, will allow easier access, security and parking.
Participants can choose between the 98km or 48km road races and the 50km or 25km mountain bike races.
Enthusiastic children hoping to cycle can look forward to a children’s event.
ASG Events chief executive Erick Oosthuizen said the race has seen a steady climb in the daily entries.
“There is a very nice children’s race at the event, which will be set up inside the parking area of the new venue,” said Oosthuizen.
“This will allow parents to be close to their children as they compete.”
A variety of vending suppliers will be located in the parking lot, start and finish of the race.
While much of the focus would be on the feature 98km race, won by Reynard Butler last year, Oosthuizen feels the other races on offer added considerable value to the event.
“The mountain bike trails take you right past the ‘giant birds’ of OR Tambo, but they are still such cool trails.
“You have a forest section just metres away from built-up Joburg, so that’s a really nice aspect.”
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He said the road races of the classic have formed an important part of the South African cycling calendar.
“It’s a really affordable option right on the doorstep of a big cycling population,” said Erick.
“It gives cyclists an opportunity to have a great day out on the bike before the Jozi winter chill really sets in.”
Visit www.eastrandclassic.co.za. for more details, closing date for entries is April 15.
