Mayoral Cycle Race
THE cycling community in Polokwane gathered in full force at the annual Mayoral Cycle Race that took place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday.
POLOKWANE – THE cycling community in Polokwane gathered in full force at the annual Mayoral Cycle Race that took place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday.
Polokwane cyclist, Ryan Gibbons, won the 96km race sponsored by Europcar, David Maree came second and Shaun Nick Bester came third.
The female winner of the same distance went to Maroesjka Matthee from Team Bestmed ASG.
The overall winners were as follows:
• 15km – First female, Anischka Neethling.
• 15km – First male, Frank Clayton.
• 45km – First female, Anna Elisa Gutierres.
• 45km – First male, Marco Roets.
The cycle race is in its second year after an inaugural event in 2014 that was combined with the annual Mayoral Road Race.
According to Integrated Rapid Public Transport System (IRPTS) marketing, communications and stakeholder relations manager, Mantlako Sebaka, the event was a precursor to the city’s overall non-motorised transport (NMT) master plan, which seeks to create a culture of cycling, walking, skateboarding and running, and the resultant healthy living lifestyle for its population.
NMT is an integral part of the IRPTS that is being implemented by Polokwane Municipality and seeks to create an improved and integrated public transport system in line with the city’s 2030 Smart Transport vision. The result of such a system will be a greener city with significantly reduced carbon emissions.
Polokwane mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng, said the municipality was on track in providing universally accessible services, which gave priority to the use of public transport systems while supporting walking and cycling as a sustainable choice of travel. “The hosting of professional cyclists and the encouragement given to young people and the community at large provides an opportunity for a healthy body especially in cycling. Hosting such an event presents economic spin offs for business and retail outlets and hospitality businesses benefit from the proceeds of such activities,” Nkadimeng said.
