It’s the final countdown to the Western Cape’s biggest cycling races.
In preparation for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, will join the Australian Pro Continental Team, Drapac, for a ride up Chapman’s Peak Drive tomorrow morning (27 February 2015). The team will have a post-ride breakfast, to which media are invited, in Camps Bay.
The Cape Town Cycle Tour takes place on 8 March.
In the days running up to the Cape Town Cycle Tour, international riders will also descend on the city to ride the Cape Rouleur.
The multi-stage endurance 600km road cycling event takes place from 1 – 5 March. It kicks off with the Prologue in Franschhoek and finishes in Cape Town with the Festival Ride.
MEC Winde said the Cape Rouleur attracted the world’s top cyclists.
“This year I’m happy to hear that Dean Downing, who is one of the most popular pros in British criterium racing, will be participating in the Cape Rouleur for the first time. Its wonderful validation when any of the international pro riders return. Having Dean in the province for our biggest week of cycling is testament to the fact that our region is emerging as a leading cycling destination. The direct economic impact on the region of the Cape Rouleur, Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Cape Epic is in excess of R700m. Showcasing the region and hosting the internationals additionally generates a significant amount of philanthropy, business and investment.”
Downing, who recently retired from pro racing, is one of the many European international riders racing in this year’s Cape Rouleur who will stay on to ride the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Downing rode the Cape Town Cycle Tour with his brother Russell in 2005, who won the race that year.
Downing said: “I’m super excited to be riding a multi-stage event in some of the most beautiful countryside with some amazing riders from all over the world. What’s more it is in warm weather! Very special for me is seeing how the [Cape Rouleur] Development Rider programme has progressed and riding with them again will be my highlight.”
Tomorrow morning, MEC Winde and Drapac will meet at the Breakwater Lodge at the V&A Waterfront before heading off to Chapman’s Peak Drive.
All media are invited. There will be interview and photo opportunities at the post-race breakfast.
- Date: Friday, 27 February 2015
- Meeting points:
Start: Breakwater Lodge, Portswood Road, V&A Waterfront
Finish: Chapman's Peak Drive
Post-ride breakfast: Kauai, Victoria Road, Camps Bay - Time:
Start: 07h20
Finish: 08h35 (ETA)
Post-ride breakfast: between 09:30 and 09:45
Kindly RSVP.
Enquiries:
Bronwynne Jooste, Spokesperson for MEC Alan Winde
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
