The Faure Street Stadium in Paarl plays host to the long-awaited return of the Netwerk24 Paarl Cycle Tour, proudly hosted by Netwerk24, De Villiers National Cycling and the Drakenstein Municipality on 4 December this year.
Entries are now open at www.cycleevents.co.za and the event is supported by the Drakenstein Metro Police Department as well as Drakenstein Disaster Management, who will facilitate a safe cycling environment on race day.
Distance options are 105 km and 45 km
Event logistics and route control are managed by De Villiers National Cycling with seasoned race director Wynand de Villiers at the helm.
De Villiers has pioneered and managed a variety of road cycling events over the past 21 years, including the Tour du Cap, Boland 100 Miler, Montecasino Classico, Die Groot Trap, Emperors Palace Classic, Satellite Classic, Berge en Dale and Jock Tour.
“The return of the Netwerk24 Paarl Cycle Tour is fantastic news for cycling,” said De Villiers. “More than 10 000 cyclists took part in Die Burger Sanlam, as the race was known historically.
De Villiers says his team is implementing their tried and tested route control model for the event. “We have been doing this for more than 20 years and my team has an acute understanding of what it takes to create a safe riding environment.
The 105 km route for the Netwerk 24 Paarl Cycle Tour is mildly undulating and presents 1 100 m vertical ascent. The 45 km ride features 600 m vertical ascent.
De Villiers says the route presents a mild challenge. “We want to place the race within reach of as many cycling enthusiasts as possible. As a result we haven’t included any of the big mountain passes around Paarl. We wanted to make it accessible, but in the same breath it remains a significant achievement to complete 105 km, or even 45 km. It’s really something to be proud of.”
Peninsula Beverages (Coca Cola) will look after hydration requirements on the day, and riders will also be spoilt with tasty eats at waterpoints, courtesy of Food Lover’s Market.
Route:
105 km
The race starts off east and does a loop through the beautiful town of Paarl via the Boulevard Road and Main Road before heading towards Klapmuts on Main Road extension.
It turns left at Klapmuts onto the R44 towards Stellenbosch and then links up with the R304 Klipheuwel Road via a right turn past Simonsig Wine Estate.
Riders turn right again onto the R304 to cross over the N1 Highway and then it’s right onto the R312 to head back to Paarl Mountain.
At the R44 T-junction at the foot of Paarl Mountain the race turns left onto the R44 towards Wellington. A short ascent brings the race to a right turn into Piet Retief Street in Wellington to head head back to Paarl.
For the finish stretch the race avoids the centre of Paarl and routes via the quiet Swaelstert and Sonstraal Roads to finish back at the Faure Street Stadium.
45 km
The 45 km turns right at the Suid-Agter Paarl Road immediately after exiting Paarl. It joins the 105 km with a right turn onto the R44.
On-line entry fees:
105 km: R490 (R400 for early birds)
45 km: R370 (R300 for early birds)
