Just over a month to go to the 33rd edition of the Carnival City Macsteel National Classic (CCMNC), which now includes a MTB event (05 November) as well as the well-known road race. Online entries are open until 24 October 2016, so don’t delay – enter now.
Road race
This is pretty much the same as before, except for an increased distance for the licensed males (125Km). The licensed ladies, U16 boys, tandems and open categories will race the same 103Km route that we have used since 2006. The 65Km event also remains the same.
The Elites, U23 & Junior men will start at 05:45, followed by the Vets 30+, 40+ and 50+ and Elite & Vet ladies. A short time gap follow to allow the above groups to complete the extra 22Km loop before rejoining the route at the 21Km point of the 103Km route. The tandems will be off at 06:45 followed by the open groups every 4 minutes.
The youth (licensed) age groups, although not licensed start the 65Km event at 08:00 followed by the social tandems and open groups.
The final group for the day, is a 65Km MTB only start group only. Anyone doing the double-60 (60Km MTB and 65Km Road event) stands a chance to win based on their combined time (top 3). To qualify, the rider needs to ensure their Racetec timing chip is in working order and used on both days.
MTB race
This promises the same well-organised setup as the road event, with a route that can be best described as flat and fast. Given the area that the event is hosted in, with no mountains, we have spent the last 5 months riding the trails in the area to find a mix of single and jeep track and district road. The event will feature a 60Km (race), a 30Km (fun ride), 12Km (family friendly) and 6Km (kiddies u8 only) distances.
Start groups will be batched according to Cycle Event’s seeding index, so that we eliminate any possible bottlenecks by the time riders get to the first section of single track (8.4Km from the start). Riders start inside Carnival City and complete a 5.2Km circuit before leaving the grounds and riding in the area south of the R554 (the main road that runs in front of Carnival City). Details of the route will be published on the race website in mid-October.
Online entries at Cycle Events, timing by Racetec, sponsored by Carnival City (since 2002) and Macsteel (2005). Road Rangers are providing the safety for each batch on the road. 32GI will provide products for the MTB event water points while ABI will provide for the road race.
All entries that donate a minimum of R10 will go into the draw for a Cannondale CAAD8 with Shimano 105 groupset. We have other lucky draw prizes from a number of bike shops and other service providers – ensure your race number I placed in the box at the prize giving area after the race. The draw will take place at 12:00.
More information is available on the Race Website (http://germistonclassic.co.za) or follow us on Twitter (@germistonwheel) and Instagram (@germistonwheelers).
More about the event
The 33rd edition of this popular classic is the second event for 2016 after the race committee decided to move it to a new slot on the calendar. Two main reasons were identified for the move, the first being the target market and secondly the clash of routes on consecutive weekends.
The race has always been held 2 weeks prior to the Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT) and targeted cyclists from Gauteng heading down to Cape Town. With a busy race calendar leading up to both the CTCT and Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge (Cycle Challenge) we had to find a suitable date that could target the 25,000 cyclists that take part in the Cycle Challenge. The only open weekend happened to be 2 weeks before the Cycle Challenge, which means we’re still ideally placed as a final warm-up event for a major race.
The race committee is made up of Germiston Rotary and Germiston Wheeler Cycle Club. The objective of the event is to raise funds for local charities as well as the development of amateur cycling. The Rotarians look after the admin, sponsorship and financial aspects of the race, while Germiston Wheeler members plan and manage the cycling related activities. Over the years, a number of previously disadvantaged cyclists have successfully made it through to the elite peloton having spent time riding with the club – and received kit, lifts to races, race entries paid for as well as mentoring/guidance from current and former members of the club.
