Entries open for 2019 Tshwane Classic Cycle
Entries for the 2019 Tshwane Classic bike race have already opened.
Entries are open for the 3rd edition of the Tshwane Cycle Classic, which will take place on 3 November this year.
The rapid rise of the Tshwane Classic is the current exception to the rule in mass participation cycling races in South Africa. Its inaugural edition in 2017 attracted 5000 cyclists and last year more than 7000 cyclists took to the streets of Pretoria.
The race is also one of the most affordable of its kind for contestants in South Africa.
“We have wonderful buy-in from the Tshwane Metro and the event falls under the management of a non-profit organisation, which means we’re able to keep entry fees affordable. We are very conscious of the economic climate and of how people are having to plan their finances carefully,” said the founder of the race, Mauritz Meyer.
Courtesy of the Tshwane Metro’s support, a total of 342 metro police officers, 250 marshals and more than 20km of barricading will be deployed to ensure a traffic free environment for cyclists in the third edition of the Tshwane Metro’s official mass participation road race.
“The logistics on the circuit is a massive task and the Tshwane Metro have worked tirelessly and relentlessly over the past two years to ensure that they have enough personnel on race day and that the operational plan is executable,” Meyer explained.
On race day all bus and taxi routes are diverted, and the race route closed effectively by predominantly barricading and with the assistance of a massive personnel base from SAPS and Tshwane Metro Police.
“The Tshwane Metro is serious about the event and it’s positioning alongside the two other big city road races, and it’s wonderful for us to be a part of the process,” said Meyer.
According to Meyer the major challenge with road closures is that operations don’t only focus on the management of the race circuit where intersections must be controlled.
“A big focus is also the management of traffic around closures and creating awareness in the lead-up. This starts in the months leading up to the event already with an awareness campaign on all major media platforms in Pretoria. On race day traffic signs and officials ensure traffic flow via detour routes,” he explained.
The Tshwane Metro will call on its residents to have patience on the roads on 3 November 2019.
“As was the case with the Cape Town Cycle Tour and 947, the Tshwane Metro expected resistance from some residents in the first two years, but the positive response has been remarkable. Tshwane has embraced the event and understand its value for the city,” said Meyer.
For more information and to enter go to www.tshwaneclassic.co.za. The event features distance options of 95km and 60km as well as 20km, 5km and 500 metre fun ride options.
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