Cyclists prep for Freedom Day race
Thousands of cyclists will have the opportunity to safely ride the M4 to Mdloti.
The annual aQuellé Tour Durban is set to take over the streets of Durban on Freedom Day, which is this Sunday.
Thousands of cyclists will have the opportunity to safely ride the M4 to Mdloti.
A full field of cyclists will tackle four distances ranging from the short 28km fun ride up to the long three-lap 110km race from Moses Mabhida to Mdloti, and spectators will get the chance to see the historic national champion Daniyal Matthews and his full team in action.
Matthews recently made history when he became the first cyclist of colour to claim the elite men’s title at the South African Road Championships. The recently crowned champion will be wearing his new national champions’ jersey with the support of the full squad from Team Siata.
The 110km race, which takes in two laps to Mdloti and a shorter loop up the M41 with a short, sharp climb, is always a fascinating test of cyclist’s full range of abilities: The rolling flat sections test teamwork and group riding and mean there is always a chance of a breakaway sneaking off the front; a few short sharp hills ensure climbers also get a chance to impose their power on the rest of the field; and the undulating profile ensures a bunch sprint is always on the cards for the speedsters.
In the women’s race, Joanna van de Winkel has made the race her own in recent years with multiple victories. However, the Queen of Tour Durban has not been racing as much recently and may find the going a bit tough this time out, and the field is wide open.
Road closure on Sunday is from 03:30 until up to 13:30. This includes:
Masabala Yengwa Avenue: Southbound lane from Kings Park to Sandile Thusi Road.
Isaiah Ntshangase Road: Closed in both directions from Masabala Yengwa Avenue to Ruth First Highway.
Ruth First Highway (M4): Closed in both directions from Sandile Thusi Road to Umdloti.
M41: Closed in both directions from M4 to Ridgeside Drive.
Ridgeside Drive: Northbound between offramp from M41 and onramp to M41.
Sandile Thusi Road: Westbound lane closed from Ruth First Highway to Masabala Yengwa Avenue
Battery Beach Road: Closed in swimming pool area and no access to or from Masabala Yengwa Avenue.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
