KZN Road Cycling Championships 2025 CANCELLED
Good People of KZN I regret to inform you that this year’s event scheduled for Harburg this weekend 12&13 July must be cancelled.Entrant numbers are dismally low that make the event unfeasible to host in this format. Full reimbursement will be done to the credit card that you used to enter with. Thank you to everyone who has entered. You are the person that I am most concerned for and apologise for inconvenience you have now incurred. Thank you to everyone involved in organising this event. I can tell you there have been many office hours and time on the road making sure the event would be top quality with all safety assurances assessed and accounted for. We will assess options going forward. Angus McFarlane KZN Road Commission
Brink Gravel Growl
The Brink Gravel Growl is just over two weeks away (18th May). With holidays and long weekends behind us, it’s time to focus on your next fun thing!
The Elite Athlete Development Programme (EADP)
The Elite Athlete Development Programme (EADP), delivered in partnership with sport federations and high-performance institutions, is a direct response to the KZN Provincial Government Cabinet Lekgotla of 20-21 February 2014. The Lekgotla resolved that; ‘talented athletes are identified and developed through the implementation of a structured system of talent support and promotion of high performance.’ The vision of the department’s EADP is to “Identify and develop KZN athletes, in an optimal environment, with the qualities required to be international champions”. The programme is based on an ‘athlete-centered, coach-led and performance-driven system’ that provides athletes with world-class support services and facilities, so they can focus solely on performance. Since the inception of the Programme, EADP Athletes have won Olympic and Paralympic medals, World Championship medals, Youth Olympic and Commonwealth Games medals and more International and National Medals. Our congratulations to the Athletes for their outstanding achievements and to their families, Coaches, Clubs, Federations and Academies. You continue to make KZN Proud! The programme is implemented through the Prime High-Performance Institute and offers athlete support in different tiers with services which include medical screening, musculoskeletal screening, dietary assessments, high performance testing, functional movement screening, medical support, high performance training, gym membership and nutritional support. For further details on the programme and application forms, please reach out to the commission heads listed below. Contact List: Road Angus McFarlane angus@mcfarlanelinings.co.za Mbuso Mhlongo m4ieng@gmail.com BMX Theuns van Heerden tvheerden@gmail.com MTB Greg Stedman greg.stedman@un.co.za Dellah Paul dellah.paul@cyclingsa.com Track Ahmed Murchie murchie.am@gmail.com
KAP sani2c
The Ride of Your Life in 2025: KAP sani2c Whether it’s the longest singletrack thrill you ever experience on the bike courtesy of the ‘Umko Drop’, or the satisfaction of reaching the top of the gruelling Unitrans Iconic Climb, KAP sani2c delivers unmatched mountain biking, and 2025 will be no different. “Endless manicured singletrack, the camaraderie of riders and the awesome community support, sani2c is the perfect balance of beauty and struggle to make the finisher’s shirt all the more worth it. I’m not surprised that riders keep coming back,” says John Low, who was a first-time rider at KAP sani2c’s 20th edition this year. Susan Gerber is a sani2c ‘Black Mamba’, a rider who has done sani2c ten or more times, and she says: “It doesn’t matter how many times you do sani2c, every time is a new adventure, a new challenge. The spoils of beautiful trails, and the lekker vibe, and oh the food, all keep us coming back. Sani constantly delivers beyond our expectations on the trails, accommodation, facilities and hospitality. From the early days of showering in a tent, to having built showers – It has become my annual holiday, if I dare to call it that.” From vast open tracts of game reserve or farmland, to compact indigenous forest, sani2c is a three-day dream on the bike If you’re looking for your next big adventure, set your sights on KwaZulu-Natal and enter the iconic KAP sani2c – there’s no better way to challenge yourself and create unforgettable memories in May 2025. Due to the event’s massive popularity, it expanded threefold over the years and three separate events now start on consecutive days. With a recent renaming of The Race to recognise it as the original sanic, the ‘OG’ still hosts the country’s top riders at the sharp end of the 1000-strong field, as they compete for UCI points, starting with a Prologue. The Adventure is still The Adventure and remains an early sell-out with a waiting list. Some say there is more of a party vibe here where the beers flow readily after each morning on the bike, and The Adventure has been around long enough for many riders to call this their sani2c ‘home’. The contrasting atmosphere of plantation forest, rugged Umkomaas Valley, sugar cane fields, and the view to the ocean, makes this point-to-point journey pure magic The Trail is now called the e-Trail, the sole event for e-bikers. With only 500 riders accommodated in the e-bike version, it is geared for groups looking for a more intimate, relaxing experience where a luxury tent option is more readily available. Non e-bikers can ride the e-Trail, but e-bikers may not compete at the Adventure or the ‘OG’, so this is where mixed groups will participate. This event is bound to help a novice to relax and focus on their goal of finishing ‘the best three days you can spend on a mountain bike.’ If you are looking for more details about the small differences between the three sani2c events, have a look at this guide. All three of the KAP sani2c events have these things in common: 1. Point-to-Point Journey: Unlike many stage races that are based at one race village, the KAP sani2c takes riders on a transformative adventure, starting in Underberg near the iconic Sani Pass and finishing in Scottburgh on the Indian Ocean coast. This format offers an unparalleled sense of progression and achievement. 2. Expertly Designed Route: Over two decades, ‘Farmer’ Glen and his family have collaborated with local communities to perfect the route. Riders benefit from meticulously crafted trails featuring thrilling singletrack, diverse terrain, and stunning landscapes. Now firmly established, the route is constantly scrutinised for even small tweaks that will enhance the experience. 3. Rich in Singletrack: The event boasts the highest proportion of singletrack among South Africa’s stage races, ensuring an adrenaline-fueled experience through forests, valleys, farmlands and nature reserve, as well as criss-crossing the mighty Umkomaas River. 4. Simple Logistics: The race’s thoughtful organization makes participation easy. Riders can fly into King Shaka International Airport and take the sani2c shuttle to Glencairn Farm. If riders travel to the start in their own vehicle, local school parent volunteers drive vehicles to Scottburgh, helping to raise funds for infrastructure and other valuable improvements at their schools. 5. Iconic Features: Highlights include the breathtaking descent into the Umkomaas Valley, the adrenaline-pumping Yankee Doodle trail, and a host of floating bridges. These well-thought out elements set sani2c apart as a bucket-list experience. Not to be left out is the Unitrans Iconic Climb, which Farmer Glen created to test riders’ resolve and give them a solid sense of achievement if they make the climb without setting foot on the ground. 6. Community Impact: KAP sani2c was started as a fundraiser for a local Ixopo school, and this has not changed. Now run through the sani2c Community Development Trust, the event generates over R10 million annually for 23 schools, charitable organisations, and environmental projects. These funds enhance education, create employment and foster entrepreneurship, as well as help to expand infrastructure, demonstrating the event’s commitment to being “More Than a Ride.” Watch a detailed overview of what you can expect from KAP sani2c: Why they do it “After all these years I still get excited by the reactions of riders,” says Farmer Glen. “To hear words like ‘life-changing’ and ‘mind-blowing’ when they reach the finish line, makes all this work worthwhile. Every small detail matters, whether it’s the trail building team blowing leaves off the trail at 2am, or the home-baked crunchies and banana bread in the chill-zones, everyone takes such pride in making all our riders happy.” Experience the thrills the e-Trail, Adventure or ‘OG’ at KAP sani2c KAP sani2c e-Trail: Tuesday to Thursday, 6-8 May 2025 KAP sani2c Adventure: Wednesday to Friday, 7-9 May 2025 KAP sani2c ‘OG’: Thursday to Saturday, 8-10 May 2025 Follow KAP sani2c on social media:
aQuellé Tour Durban – Inaugural KZN Cycling Club Championships
Greetings to all club reps As the year starts drawing to a close, it’s great to be able to share some information with you relative to two exciting new initiatives aimed specifically at clubs, and their registered members, that will be in place at the 2025 edition of the aQuellé Tour Durban.The inaugural KZN Cycling Club Championships will be staged on 27th April 2025 – our road race day – and this new competition allows all registered clubs of all sizes and rider depth to be able to compete and to walk away with some prizes, and the bragging rights that go with the title….!!The KZN Cycling Participation Trophy competition will be linked to both days of competition at the event and will require very little effort from all concerned…The basis of the KZN Cycling Club Championships competition is outlined below. •The Championships is based on competition across three different road race distances – 42km, 68km and 110km •The cumulative results of the top three finishers from each club in each of these distances will be taken to determine the overall winning club •Therefore, the results are determined by nine riders from the club •The finishing time of each rider will be taken and added to determine the overall club time •All entrants from your club will be eligible to be one of the top finishers – ie. the clubs will not need to designate which riders will be making up their official team •All riders in the competition must be an official club member and need to have a valid CSA Membership •Entrants will just need to enter the event in the normal manner, in their chosen distance and indicate their club on the entry portal as one of the required fields. The event organisers will then manage all timing and results collation etc •Riders can be male or female – there is no specific designation •Unfortunately, the competition will not allow for entrants on e-bikes… Benefits that will accrue to the participating and winning clubs and riders are as follows: •All participating clubs can set up a team area in the clubs section in finish area for free •All participating clubs will be able to have support staff in the designated clubs technical zones on the course to be able to provide additional feeding and mechanical support etc •Trophies will be awarded to the top three clubs, and the nine riders from each of the top three clubs will receive presentation medals and product hampers Presentation medals will be given to the top 3 x finishers in each distance so these individual efforts can be recognised as well •The winning club will receive free registration with KZN Cycling for the following year •The winning club will be able to use the term “2025 KZN Cycling Club Champions” on all official correspondence and communication mechanics such as websites, social media platforms, newsletters etc for the period until the following year’s competition is staged •Additional prizes for the competition are being sourced at present and when pertinent, more information will be given as to these benefits Apart from the KZN Cycling Club Championships competition that allows for an outlet for the more competitive members from the clubs, there is another competition linked to the event for those club members that that don’t necessarily want to race, but just wish to be part of the event. The parameters of the KZN Cycling Particiption Trophy competition are as follows: •The competition is open to entrants in both the mountain bike and road elements of the event •Riders on e-bikes will contribute towards the winning totals •Just by entering the event(s), club members will add to their club’s chances of success… •The winning club will be the club that enters the highest percentage of their registered members into the aQuellé Tour Durban events relative to the total number of club members. •By way of explanation, if a club has 100 members and 50 people enter the event, they will receive a score of 50%. Although a club may have more members, eg. 200 members in total, if 90 members enter, that club will receive a score of 45%. •This will mean that the first club will finish in a higher position than the second club •This allows all clubs registered with KZN Cycling – irrespective of size – an opportunity to have success at the event. •If a club member enters both the MTB and Road race, the club will receive an additional entry to add towards their total – i.e.. 3 x entries instead of 2. Trophies will be awarded to the top three clubs in this competition, and the winning club will receive free registration with KZN Cycling for the following year. I trust this information makes sense in the first instance, but more importantly, is of interest. We are working closely with KZN Cycling in a bid to boost the club initiatives and to have more people on more bikes more regularly – this being very much one of the cornerstones of the aQuellé Tour Durban. We are an event of participation and recreational bike riding as opposed to hardcore racing, but it is acknowledged that there are people that enjoy riding their bikes as hard and as fast as possible, and some that just wish to ride more sedately, and these new initiatives allow for all members of a club to be accommodated. Clubs, riders, the federation and organisers are all important cogs in the machine to allow for the sport to grow and to flourish, and the more we can all work together in order to assist each other, the better… To this end, it would be greatly appreciated if the event information and these competitions can be shared with your club members, and that your club members be encouraged to compete.Should there be any queries about these initiatives, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Thanks, and kind regardsAlec LenfernaEvent DirectoraQuellé Tour Durban+27 82 909
Wentworth, Greater Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Go Durban Academy, Pump for Peace Descriptions: This Velosolutions Pump Track in Wentworth is a Pump for Peace Project and offers plenty of fun for all ages! Some Facts: Total Area 1574m2 Track Length 121m Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1FGmE4GPGBUXtTyJ9 Opening Hours; Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm Saturdays – 8am – 1pm Sundays – Closed Site: https://pumptrack.com/track/Wentworth-South-Africa-01GEEYTX8E78B3G1WDPY56X0XV
Chesterville, Greater Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Go Durban Academy, Pump for Peace Descriptions: The second Velosolutions Pump Track to be built by the GO! Durban Cycle Academy in Durban, South Africa, is based at the Chesterville Sports Grounds, near the popular Pavilion Shopping Centre. The multi-sport facilities are a hub for local sporting talent and the addition of the new Velosolutions 1000m2 pump track in March 2019 has attracted many young cyclists and skaters to the site. Cycling is a new sport for the community and has been welcomed by the local authorities as an opportunity to engage more youth in positive activities and keep them off the streets. The pump track forms the base of the GO!Durban Cycle Academy which has extended its bike programme to the community of Chesterville, and includes weekly cycling classes and academic support sessions by tutors to ensure a holistic youth empowerment approach.. Some Facts: Total Area 1000m2 Track Length 184m Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gnt3Li47aPJUj2Pw6 Opening Hours; Monday to Saturday from 8am – 5pm (or sunset) Sundays – Open to the Public at no cost. Donations are welcome. Site: https://pumptrack.com/track/Chesterville-Durban-South-Africa-01GAAYVQ42P6NHJG6Q6QNDDHTE
KwaDabeka, Greater Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Go Durban Academy, Pump for Peace Descriptions: The pump track in the township of KwaDabeka on the outskirts of Durban, KwaZulu Natal is probably one of the most picturesque settings for this 165m long pump track with 10 berms and the first bridge and tunnel in the Velosolutions family of tracks. It was specially designed for exciting head to head racing. In 2018 and 2024 the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championship used this track the last chance qualifier for the world championships and The Township Series. Some Facts: Total Area 1140m2 Track Length 165m Curves 10 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yxF23YY7Rs6r3G7t7 Opening Hours; Monday to Saturday from 8am – 5pm (or sunset) Sundays – Open to the Public at no cost . Donations are welcome. Site: https://pumptrack.com/track/KwaDabeka-South-Africa-01GEEXDDF4XJJM4VN59B61AZPN
Cornubia, Greater Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Go Durban Academy, Pump for Peace Descriptions: This Velosolutions Pump Track in Cornubia offers plenty of fun for all ages! Located just 8min from Central Umhlanga. Some Facts: Total Area 920m2 Track Length 127m Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wsfBpXRh2VFUE3Xy9 Opening Hours; 24/7 Site: https://pumptrack.com/track/Cornubia-South-Africa-01GEEYNJXNFBA47Z13KFT9JPX8
KwaMashu, Greater Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Go Durban Academy, Pump for Peace Descriptions: The KwaMashu Velosolutions Pump Track is situated within GO!Durban Cycle Academy bike park in KwaMashu. KwaMashu is a township 12 kilometres north of Durban, South Africa, and has a population of approximately 200 000. The cycle academy has been operating since 2016 and has moved in 2019 to a new, bigger bike park in KwaMashu to offer more space for youth to participate in cycling and other sports. The 1200m2 pump track is the largest one to be built in Durban to date. In 2024 the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championship used this track for the world championships Event. This has given the local community great insight as to what the sport is all about. Some Facts: Total Area 1200m2 Track Length 191m Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BwzUn1mBjQviLz8aA Opening Hours; Monday to Saturday from 8am – 6pm (or sunset) Sundays – Open to the Public at no cost. Donations are welcome. Site: https://pumptrack.com/track/KwaMashu-South-Africa-01GEEXM6HN97WYRD9XW7E43MNQ
