The Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Sunday 19 November, and from its humble beginnigs of 4 500 cyclists at inception, to more than 28 500 entrants today, the world’s second-largest timed mass-participation cycling event brings Joburg to a standstill each Cycle Challenge Sunday.
25% of the race entries are from females competing on equal terms with men, and the Cycle Challenge was the first major cycling event to introduce a separate women’s category.
Last year’s 94.7 winner, Ronel van Wyk (sponsored by Bionic / Rauch Ice Tea) spoke to gsport this morning on her feelings about weekend’s upcoming race: “It’s not just about me coming to win, I love this race,” said van Wyk.
“I’ve got a passion for this race," van Wyk told gsport. "It’s my 10th 94.7, and I’m a part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of this race, I’ve seen this race grow from 700 riders to complete road closure, this is a race close to my heart.
On her preparations for the race, van Wyk appears to be in a rich vein. “I’ve just come back from Mauritius, where we competed in the Continental Champs,” said van Wyk. “I came second in the time-trial, and came third in the road race, so I’m quite happy (with my fitness).
“I think the race is going to be a little bit tougher than last year, as there are a lot of new riders coming through this year,” said van Wyk this morning. “I’m going to have a look at the route today and Saturday, to see how it finishes. The finish is going to be a bit of a challenge, because it’s changed a bit, and I believe it’s slightly uphill, which suits me fine.
"If I don’t win this year (hopefully I do),” giggles van Wyk, “I think it’s going to be a surprise win. There’s about 10 women who can compete for the win this year, I think anyone could win this race…
“There are a lot of new faces on the scene this year, you’ve got the Harmony girls, Cherise Taylor, Irene Tortius, loose cannon Anke Erlank, and individuals Elsie Pienaar, Elsa Karsten…"
Cyclists marking their tenth Cycle Challenge this year will be allocated a special gold number, and will also be issued with a special commemorative cycling jersey from the Cycle Challenge.
This year’s television coverage of the event includes two world-famous Tour de France commentators in Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, who will be commentating for Supersport 6 in it’s coverage of the race, starting at 5am Sunday morning.
“Ten years is not only a milestone but also a mark of triumph for the organisers of the Pick ‘n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge,” said Liggett, who will be attending his fifth Cycle Challenge this year. “They can look back on a decade of progress and a future secured for this sport.”
Last year saw the launch of another edition in the form of the Saturday’s Mountain Bike Race, which sees 2000 bikers tackle their choice of a 20km or 40km route through Leeuwkop, Inanda Country Base and the surrounds of Kyalami.
The Team Time Trial, which kicks off the Cycle Challenge weekend today, with both a men’s and ladies edition, is offered to professional teams, and addes a showcase of the cycling talent in South Africa.
For the seventh consecutive year, the ever-popular Pick ‘n Pay 94.7 Children’s Cycle Challenge will be running alongside the Pick ‘n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, and a portion of the proceeds of both races will be donated to the Homeless Talk Pre-School in Hillbrow.
“We are delighted to be back for a second year as a sponsor of this wonderful initiative, which supports one of the fastest growing children’s sports in the country,” explained Spur Steak Ranches’ Pierre van Tonder. “Spur encourages children to participate in events that promote a balanced lifestyle, and the Children’s Cycle Challenge does just that.”
The Children’s Cycle Challenge takes place on Saturday, 18 November 2006 at the Kyalami Race Track, and kids between the ages of two and 14 will participate in the event, which covers varying distances of the Kyalami Go-Kart and Race Tracks on tricycles, push bikes and two-wheelers.
“This will be the fifth year that we are donating a portion of the proceeds to the Homeless Talk Pre-School,” said 94.7 marketing manager, Dex de Bruin. “Last year we were able to donate R200 000 to the school – a figure we’re hoping to better this year, as the Cycle Challenge celebrates its tenth anniversary.”
Radha Pillay, programme manager of the Homeless Talk Pre-School, says this support has become a lifeline for the school. “We use the funds throughout the year for various things for these children,” explained Pillay.
“From basic needs like food, clothing and toiletries, to helping to fund their education.” Pillay confirms that without this ongoing support, these needy children would have nothing. “If it wasn’t for the money receive each year from the Cycle Challenge, we would be destitute,” Pillay added.
The Cycle Challenge Experience expo, which takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre, is billed as the biggest cycling and health-related expo in Gauteng, and provides cyclists and sporting enthusiasts with the opportunity to check out all the latest sporting gear, trends and products.
This year’s Pick ‘n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge starts in Woodmead and ends at the Waterfall Equestrian Estate in Sunninghill.
Cyclists participating in the Cycle Challenge need to register and collect their race packs at the expo. This can be done on Thursday, 16 November (10am – 7pm); Friday, 17 November (10am – 8pm) or Saturday, 18 November (8am – 4pm). Entry into the expo is free.
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