Forty years after founding the Amashova National Classic, Dave Wiseman (72) is preparing to celebrate the race’s biggest milestone from the saddle, returning to the event he created after overcoming cancer.

The founder of South Africa’s oldest classic road cycling race will line up alongside thousands of other cyclists for the 106km event as Amashova celebrates its 40th anniversary on Sunday, July 19. For Wiseman, the milestone marks not only four decades of the race but also a remarkable personal journey back to cycling following a cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Wiseman was diagnosed with malignant melanoma that had spread to several parts of his body. Following treatment, getting back on his bicycle became one of his greatest personal victories. “Riding the 106km race during Amashova’s 40th anniversary represents resilience, determination and a celebration of life.”

His return also marks 40 years since he turned an ambitious dream into one of South Africa’s most iconic cycling events. Inspired by the success of the Comrades Marathon and the Dusi Canoe Marathon, Wiseman believed cycling deserved a flagship event that KwaZulu-Natal could proudly call its own.

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That vision became the Amashova National Classic, which has grown into one of the country’s premier cycling events, far surpassing his original expectations.

“The challenge, the camaraderie and the friendships formed along the route are what make Amashova special. Riders return because they become part of something much bigger than a single race,” said Wiseman.

Creating the race was not without its challenges. Securing permission for extensive road closures and convincing authorities that an event of that scale could be staged safely proved to be the biggest hurdle. Once those challenges were overcome, Amashova grew into one of South Africa’s best-known cycling races.

Wiseman believes the iconic route, from the climb up Fox Hill and the rolling roads through the Dardanelles to the Valley of a Thousand Hills and the finish in Durban, remains one of the race’s defining features.

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While the race has evolved over the past four decades, he believes its greatest success lies in the community it has created. Amashova Race Director Annie Batchelder agreed, saying Wiseman’s contribution extends far beyond founding a cycling event.

“Dave’s vision created something that has become part of South Africa’s sporting heritage. For four decades, Amashova has inspired generations of cyclists and none of that would have been possible without the passion and commitment he showed from the very beginning,” said Batchelder.

As riders prepare to tackle the route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, Wiseman hopes they embrace every kilometre and enjoy the experience. “This is more than a finish line it is a legacy on two wheels.”

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