It’s going to be quick. Looking at the new route for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Team Bonitas manager Malcolm Lange, the country’s most successful domestic cyclist, said riders would most likely go “flat out” for the full 47km.
Fires which spread throughout the South Peninsula this week, burning along major parts of the Cycle Tour’s route in Chapman’s Peak, Constantia and Suikerbossie, forced organisers to scale back the original 109km route.
Now the race, which starts in Cape Town, will only go as far as Steenberg Road near Tokai.
The new route has had a mixed reception, with some of the casual riders demanding a refund. But Lange said: “This still has the potential to be a great race.”
Riders will now have to retrace their steps towards Cape Town via Edinburgh Drive and Hospital Bend which will replace Chapman’s Peak and Suikerbossie as the race’s formidable climbs on the way to the finish line.
“But considering the length of the race (the riders) will still have a lot of energy left.”
He expected Team Bonitas top sprinter Herman Fouche to excel on the shorter route, but warned that defending champion Nolan Hoffman would be the man to watch. Fouche won the race in 2013.
However, a shorter race also has its pitfalls.
Over a longer distance, a few mistakes or a punctured tyre might not put the win out of reach. But running into technical problems on the shorter route will definitely mean a loss.
Many other top riders have come out in support of the shorter route. Anriette Schoeman, who won the event in 2001, 2002, 2003 and in 2013, said organisers had done the best they could considering the circumstances.
Online users shared her feelings.
“Our hats off with much respect to all the organisers of the Cape Town Cycle Tour. You have been amazing, making so many changes to accommodate so many, in such a short space of time. Plus keeping us all informed. We salute you!” wrote Michelle Riskowitz on the Cycle Tour’s Facebook page.
“This year is a good year to enjoy the CT Cycle Tour – not race it! Feel the Cape Town vibe, drink Coke, eat chocolates, stop and drink a beer with the spectators… Cycle to and back from the start. For once we have a valid reason not to race,” chirped Eddie Erda.
But there were still angry riders who felt they had been cheated by the shorter length.
Erich Niemand wrote: “This race, if you go ahead with the short distance, will be known as the most expensive race in the world. Surely the international cycling bodies will be upset with your decision.”
On Twitter, @StephanieBe wrote: “Is it too late to do the Cycle Tour? 47km?! Brah. I could do that right now with no training. Seriously pissed I said no.”
The event takes place on Sunday, with the first riders set to start at around 6am. – Cape Argus