NEWS RELEASE                                                                                            7 November 2001

WORLD-CLASS CYCLING AT AFRICA’S TOP VENUE

Top cyclists from around the world and their supporters will converge on Cape Town this week for a highlight on the Cape of Great Events calendar - the Cape Town International Three-day Cycling Event at the Bellville Velodrome.

Three days of spectacular racing around Africa’s finest track will precede the Burger-Sanlam Fun Ride, where 9 000 cyclists choose a 50km or 103km route around the Peninsula.

In the main racing event, which is held each day from Thursday to Saturday, six two-man teams from Europe take on six teams representing the cream of South Africa in an elimination race where the last cyclist is called off the track every two laps. Among the South Africans taking part are Robbie Hunter, who this year became the first South African to race in the Tour de France, and defending 3-day champion J P van Zyl.

In the European line-up are teams from Belgium, Holland, Germany, England, Switzerland and a mixed European team.

The cycling bonanza, now in its second year, is organised by the Tygerberg Cycling club in conjunction with the City of Cape Town, and admission for spectators is free.

Other exciting races over the three days are

· the Air Namibia Sprint Cup in which one rider each from Holland and Germany take on the four    best from South Africa over 1000 metres.

· the Derney event in which 12 teams of six riders each are paced over 40 laps by motorcyclists. Following in the slipstream of the motorcycles, the cyclists are exposed to great danger.

· the Stayer event where special bicycles follow in the slipstream of 850cc motorcycles and reach hectic speeds of up to 120 km/h.

· a marathon relay in which teams of two riders lock arms and swing each other forward. This again is a highly dangerous maneuvers.

A legacy of Cape Town’s Olympic Bid, the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town is one of Africa’s finest sports centres and offers world-class facilities for both competitors and spectators. Public support for the Velodrome is crucial to its future.

Giving full support to the event, the Council sees cycling is much more than a sport. It is an environment-friendly form of transport available to the broader community and it also promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Pat Lennox, Head of the Events Office of the City of Cape Town, said: “This international event builds the image of Cape Town and brings in other tourists, which in turn stimulates the economy of the region.

“The City of Cape Town is proud to be involved with such a prestigious event which also fits perfectly with the City’s major events strategy,” he said.

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