On Yer Bike in SA

A new elite cycle race, the Tour of South Africa will be held for the first time later this year.

The seven day event will start on 25 November 2007 with 20 teams of 6 riders taking part. The race will form part of the elite professional calendar in 2007 and is expected to attract leading cycling teams from across the world.

There is no qualification with teams invited to take part. Those participating will include teams from the UK, Germany, Japan, USA and South Africa. The route is yet to be finalised, but proposed options include stages in the Cape Province, Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal.

The Tour of South Africa organisers, Sweetspot, are working with a number of partners including, Cycling South Africa, South Africa Tourism, and the South African International Marketing Council to finalise the route and to maximise the impact of the race on the country’s economy. A foundation will be established to ensure surplus income is re-invested into community projects across the country. Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of Sweetspot said:

“The Tour of South Africa will become a landmark event in the professional cycling calendar. Its uniqueness comes from the fact that it will be Africa's premier cycle race encouraging the best teams and riders to take part on the African continent. With its sports orientated culture we believe it is an obvious location for an elite cycling race.”

The race will follow a similar model to other leading cycle races, such as the Tour of Britain and Le Tour de France. There is no single event sponsor, instead funding comes from a combination of both the public and private sector, with a host of commercial opportunities available to businesses wishing to target the South African market.

Roberts added: “The race will provide South Africa with an opportunity to showcase many areas of the country to the rest of the world. It will also benefit local economies directly. In addition, it will be used to promote cycling and health related activities to the people of South Africa.” The race was launched by the South African High Commissioner at South Africa House in Trafalgar Square last week.

15 February 2007