The much anticipated cycle tour had to be postponed to October in 2021, due to Covid-19 restrictions. The field was also limited to 18 000 riders. Organisers have announced that this year the race is back in its traditional calendar spot.

This year, organisers have confirmed a larger capacity, but Covid-19 protocols will still apply.

Event co-ordinator David Bellairs said that after missing out on the traditional March date last year, they are delighted to reclaim their calendar spot in 2022.

“Last year, we were oversubscribed with our limited field and [we are] glad that we can now expand the entry limit to accommodate more riders in 2022.”

Organisers also confirmed that the traditional pre-race expo will go ahead between March 10–12, after being limited in 2021. It will take place at Cape Town Stadium as part of the registration process.

“The safety of our riders during registration and the race itself is our priority,” said Bellairs.

Entries will close as soon as the entry limit has been reached

The route

Now in its 44th year, the tour circles the Cape Peninsula, starting and finishing in the shadow of Table Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

The route will stay the same as in 2021.

Here are the highlights of the route, courtesy of www.capetowncycletour.com:

The long drag up to Smitswinkel and the entrance to the Cape Point Nature Reserve almost brings you to the halfway point and, if the South Easter is pumping, some welcome relief from the niggly headwinds.

The traverse through Scarborough and Misty Cliffs is restorative, after your guaranteed too-fast start, with a cool breeze and the most beautiful view of the ocean.

Cyclists then have to prepare themselves for the double-feature coming up –  Chapman’s Peak and Suikerbossie.  Chapman’s Peak is a two-part trial; Little Chappies is short and steep.

The main climb is longer, but flatter, and offers distractions aplenty as you ride one of the world’s most beautiful roads. After a speedy descent into Hout Bay, it is time to face the demons of Suikerbossie, which is seen by many as the most challenging part of the route.

A kilometre-and-a-half of torment will be over sooner than you think, and then it is 15km of glorious downhill and flat riding to the finish, through Bakoven, Camp’s Bay (the little kick up to the old finish in Maiden’s Cove will wake your legs up), Clifton and Sea Point.

Did you know?

Back in 1977, ‘The Big Ride’ was conceived as a protest to campaign for cycling paths in and around Cape Town.

Bill Mylrea, John Stegmann and Louis de Waal planned the ‘protest ride’ to encourage the city council to think about bicycles as part of its urban planning, and to look after cyclists on the busy roads.

It was held under the auspices of the newly founded Western Province Pedal Power Association and attracted hundreds of cyclists, including the mayor of Cape Town.

The cyclists met on the Grand Parade and rode down Adderley Street to the Foreshore.

It is now one of the world’s leading cycle events.

Hoffman has his eye on title number five

South African cyclist and 2021 champion of the annual 109km Cape Town Cycle Tour, Nolan Hoffman will be back to defend his title.

This year’s tour is limited to 22 500 riders, which is up from last year’s limit of 18 000.

Last year, Hoffman (36) raced over the finish line in a time of two hours, 37 minutes and 12 seconds to secure his fourth victory and become the second most successful men’s rider of the tour – only Willie Engelbrecht has won more titles than Hoffman in the men’s race, with five to his name.

Hoffman also won the event in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

Depending on the weather, which plays a massive role on race day, Hoffman wants to improve his time.

“If I complete the race in a time of 02:20, I’d be extremely happy. The Cape Town Cycle Tour is one of the biggest races on my calendar for the year,” he said.

“I have a few races which I have entered in preparation for the Cape Town tour,” said Hoffman. These include the Herald Cycle Tour 2022 in the Eastern Cape in February.

He added that he has worked really hard getting into shape.

Tips for rides

Hoffman has the following tips for riders to be fit and ready for action for the cycle tour:

– Try to ride the full distance of the race at least three times before race day.

– Force yourself to eat and drink on the bike when you train. Drink a lot of water; it is always a good idea to have a banana in your back pocket.

– You need to train on a regular basis. Some riders only take to the road over weekends. You need to ride at least five times a week.

– It might sound stupid, but learn how to fix your own tyre. Believe me, it saves a lot of time if you get a flat tyre.

Tour veteran eyes 41st finish 

Pretoria cyclist Stephen Jenkins (56) is set to complete his 41st cycle tour on March 13.

He finished his first race at the age of 15 in 1980, in a time of four hours and 30 minutes. His best race was in 1986, when he averaged 36.53km/h and crossed the finish line in two hours, 50 minutes and 48 seconds.

Last year, he finished in three hours, 14 minutes and 12 seconds and placed 47th out of 1 107 riders in the men’s category, 55–59 years. This year, he hopes to finish in under three hours.

Jenkins has missed only three tours –  the first two, because he was unaware of the event, and another one when he was doing military service.

“Back then, cycling was not a huge sport. It has since developed into one of the most loved sports in the country,” he said.

He is 17th on the tour’s top 20 VIP list of riders who have completed the most races and he aims to be among the top 10 before he puts away his cycling gear.

As a child growing up in Fish Hoek, Cape Town, he used to deliver newspapers by bicycle. One of his first bicycles was a Peugeot Rapport, which still hangs in his garage.

“Cycling is in my blood and that is where my love for cycling started.”

He has trained with Willie Smit, a South African cyclist, who currently rides for China Glory Continental cycling team.