With Willie Smit not being part of this year’s Mpumalanga Cycle Tour, it was anyone’s game. Spectators were kept on tenterhooks until the last seconds in this six-day series.
The race got underway on January 12 at Forever Resort’s Blyde Canyon, which was the first leg of six, testing cyclists to their limit with 775 kilometres and
15 495 metres of climbing.
The tour acts as an opener of the road-cycling season in the country. Smit’s absence was part of his move to world-tour level with Katusha Alpecin. This opened up an opportunity for Team NAD Pro rider Matt Beers, who went on to take the spoils. He did so in a time of 19:59,19, a mere 39 seconds in front of the runner-up Jayde Julius from ProTouch. Also from the winning team, Gawie Combrink and Nico Bell finished in third and fourth place, when they crossed the final finish line at Loskop Dam in 20:01,15 and 20:02,38 receptively.
Only 50 participants reached the final stage, as the vets and juniors, as well as the women and open-class riders only competed in the first three stages.
Jaco Cronje from Nort Northcliff Cycles took the spoils in 8:49,53, closely followed by two local Hi-Q riders, Ruben Helberg in second and Ryan Terry in third. Ruben finished two minutes and 15 seconds behind the leaders, and Ryan, five minutes.
In the women and open categories, Christiaan Klopper took the spoils in 9:29,48 and Dian Janjetich crossed the finsish line six minutes and four seconds later.
Coetzer Blake from Hi-Q secured a third place in a time of 9:57,00
“We are delighted by the series’ growth,” said organiser, Hendrik Wagenaar. “Its growth is evident as almost double the number of 2017’s riders participated this year,” he said.
He explained that its popularity can be attributed to the safety aspects, as well as the breathtaking scenery and gruelling climbs, allowing riders to show their true mettle. “This year even saw teams from Namibia and Mauritius,” he said.
Sibongile Nkosi, spokesman for culture, sports and recreation said the tour had proven to be more than just a sporting activity and is a good platform for social cohesion as people of different races participated. “We aim to promote interest in cycling in the previously disadvantaged communities. We will continue hosting and supporting it annually,” she said.

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