The Brondal Road section in the Takealot Jock Classic is again part of the opening stage in the road cycle race in Mpumalanga on July 13.
The inclusion of this section would make the first leg of the three-stage, one-day race slightly easier for the riders, said ASG Events chief executive Erick Oosthuizen.
Taking place from Nelspruit, one of the country’s longest-running cycling events will cover 150km, but has the unique format of set starting times for each stage. It includes a whopping 2 900m of ascent.
Starting and finishing at the Mbombela Stadium, the route takes the riders through the Lowveld towns of White River and Sabie.
With the Spitskop and Long Tom Pass climbs in the latter two stages, cyclists might be grateful that the 40.9km opening leg has been eased somewhat by the inclusion of Brondal Road.
Cyclists in the Takealot Jock Classic will face a slightly different opening stage with the inclusion of Brondal Road in this year’s three-stage, one-day road cycle race in Mpumalanga on July 13. Photo: Memories 4 U Photography
“Brondal Road was inaccessible due to roadworks last year, but its inclusion has made the undulating nature of the stage easier and flatter,” said Oosthuizen.
“However it will still be fairly cool in the early part of the race, which gets under way at 6.30am.”
He added that he thought the 45.3km second stage from White River to Sabie could be decisive in determining the final outcome and riders would need to ensure they were prepared for that.
“If you lose ground on stage two during the Spitskop climb you’ll lose time which I feel contenders should guard against,” said Oosthuizen.
“Admittedly the Long Tom Pass on stage three is a tough climb and cyclists will have already ascended 2 000m by the time they get there.
“But it comes early in the stage and there is still time to get back if you are slightly off the pace.”
The race’s format does have a specific set of challenges, with cyclists having to keep up their energy levels for the start of each leg.
“The resting time is ample,” said Oosthuizen, “but it takes its toll on you. My advice is to try to ride within yourself, unless you are used to stopping on long rides and so geared up for that type of riding.
Entries for the race close on July 3.
