A return to the original route is tipped to increase the popularity of the Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Classic when a weekend of cycling is hosted by Sun City on August 20 and 21.
The feature road race at the Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Classic, which is hosted by Sun City, will return to its traditional route. Photo: Supplied
Due to heavy traffic on the road for the 103km event, changes were made to the route in the past three years to avoid the heavy mining trucks, among other vehicles, which regularly use the R551 from Thabazimbi.
Now the road race events, which include the 70km distance, will take place on the Sunday, while the 25 and 50km mountain bike events will be held on the Saturday.
Darren Herbst of ASG Events, the route director, said he was confident that the new programme would provide the impetus for further growth.
“It will add immense value and we feel the race now has a realistic chance of drawing a field of up to 8 000 riders as in the past.”
Herbst said the mountain bike events had increased in popularity over the years.
“We’re very pleased with that and I think you could see many making the trip to Sun City for the Saturday events.”
Although the main race on the road was now about six kilometres shorter than last year, it would provide a similar test, said Herbst.
“The difficulty is about the same, but the slightly shorter distance will make a difference.”
He added that as the Cycle4Cansa Classic was an official seeding event for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, there would be greater incentive for riders to enter.
Children are also catered for during the weekend with two races – one for kids aged five years and under and one for youngsters 10 and under.
The weekend’s cycling also enabled event partners Bestmed, Sun City and Powerade to continue their mission of raising money and awareness for Cansa in the North West and Limpopo provinces, said Herbst.
Since its inception, over R3.4-million has been raised for Cansa’s education, patient care and support programmes.
Sun City offer a variety of family entertainment options once the racing is done, including free entry to the Valley of Waves.
Visit www.cansalostcity.co.za for more information, or to enter before August 8.
Late entries will be accepted at the registration venues, but not at the events.
