With more than 4 000 cyclists having already entered, the Tshwane Classic is on track in its quest to become one of the premier road cycling races in the country.
A key aspect of the event on November 5, which includes distances of 98km, 60km and 20km, is the total road closure as organisers ASG Events and the Tshwane Municipality strive to guarantee rider safety.
Starting and finishing at the Voortrekker Monument, organisers of the Tshwane Classic are planning a high quality offering, including total road closure on the 98km, 60km and 20km routes. Photo: Supplied
ASG Events’ operations manager Darren Herbst said they realised they could face some issues, but they were confident the Tshwane public would understand the value of the race.
“Total road closure is often taken lightly by cyclists,” said Herbst. “It’s one thing advertising it, but implementing it effectively on race day on 98km of roads only comes after countless hours of meticulous planning by city experts.”
Race spokesman Mauritz Meyer said a total of 342 metro police officers, assisted by 250 marshals and more than 35km of barricading, would be on duty during the day.
“All bus routes will be diverted and all roads will be closed effectively by predominantly yellow plastic barricading.”
He added that signage was already being erected on the race route to alert motorists about closures and various billboards in Tshwane were also being used to warn the public.
“We appeal to the road users to assist us on this occasion. We are convinced the public will embrace the Tshwane Classic when they come to understand its value for the city.”
The organisers see the event as one that could gain the prestige associated with the country’s major city classics.
It slots in two weeks before the 947 Cycle Challenge and serves as a premier seeding event for the other big one, the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
See a breakdown of the road closures below.
Eufees to Trichardt: 0 to 6.8km, 4am to 9.30am
Trichardt to turn of 20km race: 6.8km to 10km, 4am to 9.30am
20km turn to R55: 10km to 16.5km, 4am to 9.30am
R55 to split point on N4: 16.5km to 30km, 5am to 9.30am
Trans Oranje to N4 split, N4 out to N4 back: 30km to 70km, 5.30am to 11.30am
DF Malan to Lavender: 70km to 76km, 6.30am to 12pm
Lavender to Steve Biko to Soutpansberg: 76km to 83km, 7am to 12.30am
Soutpansberg to Hamilton: 83km to 88km, 7am to 1pm
Hamilton to finish: 88km to 98km, 7.30 to 2pm
