Organisers of next month’s Bestmed Tour de Boland have announced a new R50 000 time-trial prize purse – the richest in South African cycling.
The five-day road tour, in partnership with Buffet Olives, will reward the best individual time-triallists on the 30km third stage between Ceres and Tulbagh on March 4.
According to event organiser Wynand de Villiers, the aim of the prize was to draw pubic attention to an often-underrated discipline within the sport.
Top national and international time-triallists will vie for a new R50 000 prize purse on stage three of the Bestmed Tour de Boland, presented by Pinarello, on March 4. Here Cape Town cyclist Andy Davies sets off during last year’s event. Photo: Capcha Photography
“As organisers, we needed to show our appreciation for these talented specialists and to fuel some serious racing upfront among our tour contenders.”
De Villiers said this year’s stage would feature a total ascent of just 165m, significantly less than the hill climb time-trials of previous editions.
“With the prize money now up for grabs, I’ve got no doubt that the top contenders will go all out and we’ll see some of the finest time-trial equipment on display.”
The stage prize money is in addition to the cash and product prizes already on offer to category winners.
The Australian Pro-Continental team, Drapac, will go head to head with pan-African outfit MTN-Qhubeka (feeder team) and other top South African squads like Bonitas, Europcar and Abantu.
The latter features newly crowned continental champion in the individual pursuit HB Kruger.
Positioned exactly in the middle of the tour, the time-trial would provide a welcome diversion from the long road stages before and after, said De Villiers.
He welcomed the support of the prize sponsor as “a wonderful addition to the tour”.
“Buffet Olives are also a Boland company, nestled in Paarl, where our race starts and finishes, so it’s a great way for them to support the well-being of the region.”
Cape Olive Products chief executive Richard Allen said the sponsorship was his company’s first foray into road racing, after hosting the Buffet Olives MTB Classic for the past eight years.
“By supporting the Tour de Boland, we are helping to showcase the beautiful environment in which our product is grown and processed.”
Participants would be able to sample Buffet Olives at tasting stations along the route, he said.
The 465km Bestmed Tour de Boland, presented by Pinarello, starts in Paarl on Monday, March 2, and finishes at the Taal monument high above the town on Friday, March 6.
