SABIE – Director of Mountain Bike for Cycling South Africa, Mr Brett Coates, just confirmed that the Ashburton Sabie Classic will definitely take place this weekend.
Late entries and registration will take place at York Timbers Sport Grounds, Friday February 22, from 17:00 – 21:00, Saturday February 23, from 05:30 – 16:00, and Sunday February 24, from 05:30 – 08:00.
| Programme |
| 05:30-08:00: | Registration and Line Entries |
| 06:30: | Riders Briefing / Leaders Jersey Handover |
| 06:45: | Start ULTRA PRO/Elite |
| 06:50: | Start Marathon Ladies “Elite” |
| 07:00: | Start Ultra Marathon Amateur Men |
| 07:30: | Start Marathon “A”. Batches at +5min intervals |
| 13:00: | Prize Giving |
| 06:00-09:00: | Registration and Line Entries |
| 07:15: | Riders Briefing / Leaders Jersey Handover |
| 07:30: | Start Half Marathon “A”. Batches at +5min intervals |
| 08:20: | Start Fun Race “A”. Batches at +5min intervals |
| 09:10: | Start Fun Ride “All”. |
| 13:00: | Prize Giving |
SABIE – “As far as we are concerned the Ashburton Sabie Classic will continue on Saturday,” said director of Mountain Bike for Cycling South Africa, Mr Brett Coates.
Many participants have feared that the race would not continue after protesters took to the streets at Sabie on Tuesday. They burned tires, expressing their dissatisfaction over service delivery.
According to Coates the only motivation for the race not to continue, will be a police announcement that the area will not be safe to cyclists. A meeting will take place at 11:00 this morning where after Coates will confirm whether the race will indeed continue.
For 15 years the Sabie Classic has become the benchmark Enduro Mountain Bike race by which all others are judged. Over 3000 riders are suppose to descend upon the small Lowveld town to experience South Africa’s “Mecca” of mountain biking over the two days.
SABIE – Police and security have been deployed in the streets of Sabie following yesterday’s protest action. The town’s schools and businesses remain closed until further notice.
Yesterday, Lowvelder reported that protesters took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction about the limited availability of electricity and housing for the residents of Sabie and surrounding areas. Police said that the crowd threatened to become violent and prohibited the media from entering the town.
When the situation was under control, the paper’s journalist was allowed to enter the town on foot, where locals were chanting and burning tyres. They dispersed in the afternoon, but authorities fear that the situation might become volatile again today.
Road users are advised to avoid traveling towards Sabie.
Also read: Update: Sabie under lockdown after protesters invade
Decision on Sabie boycott is made
