SA’s toughest cyclists to take on Mpumalanga challenge
Some of the country’s toughest cyclists will be passing through the area this weekend as part of the Bestmed Jock Tour.
The historic Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique, the country’s oldest and toughest stage race will now include a three-day road tour through Mpumalanga.
This new tour will incorporate the traditional 154km one-day classic from Mbombela to White River and Sabie and back on July 18.
Organiser Wynand de Villiers of ASG Events says the new Cycling SA-sanctioned tour will be an honest and exciting test of SA’s best.
“It’s the only event in which these riders will really be tested according to the standards set by Europe’s leading tours. There will be nowhere to hide and the strongest rider will win the tour, full stop.”
The Jock will present riders with a continuous climbing challenge, a total ascent of 7 200m, unlike the classic European Alpine stage races.
“There are very few flat sections, which you would find quite a bit of on the European valley floors between the mountains. Here, even between the big mountain passes, the Jock is still up and down,” De Villiers explained.
The organiser also says this is their way of providing more competitive racing platforms to help prepare the best local riders for the international circuit. “We believe road racing is back and stronger than ever and we would like to keep doing our bit to fuel the fire,” said De Villiers.
The tour is not limited to professionals but also open to serious amateur cyclists up for the physical challenge.
“It really is a tough ask of these riders and we would like to assist them in the best way possible to get to the finish line every day. The final stage, in particular, is going to be a war of attrition.”
A prize purse of R100 000 will be up for grabs across all categories.
“We believe in rewarding the top end of the field for their efforts just as much as we believe in providing real value to the amateurs in the event,” De Villiers remarked.
Both the Classique and Tour will count towards the road component of the new Bestmed National Cycling Series.
The Classique will cater for 900 riders, while the field for the Tour will be capped at 300. Limited spots are still available for both.
For more information, visit www.thejock.co.za, find Jock Cycle Classique on Facebook or follow @jockcycle.
Races and stages
Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique (July 18)
Stage 1: Nelspruit – White River (44km)
Stage 2: White River – Sabie, via Spitskop (45km)
Stage 3: Sabie – Nelspruit via Long Tom Pass (63km)
Bestmed Jock Tour (July 17-19)
Stage 1: Nelspruit – Kaapsehoop (27km time-trial)
Stage 2: Nelspruit – Sabie – White River – Nelspruit (140km)
Stage 3: Nelspruit – Kaapmuiden – Barberton – Nelspruit (132km)
