Cyclejourno

this is awesome - got it in higher resolution?

Anyone know where I can fodies from the Wild Willie days?

Federal authorities get telephone recording linked to Lance Armstrong case http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/15/sports/la-sp-lance-armstrong-20100916

have CSA discussed the route yet?

Mabalingwe Lion Man [bela Bela] Kruger [Olifants rest camp] iMfolozi MTB Challenge in Zululand. Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Goegap Nature Reserve MTB Trail - have you done any of these MTB trails?

I think cash [a big sponsor] has been part of the problem. And infighting at CSA. The new CSA [a bit like the new SA?] says they will be more rider centric from now on. Does that mean they'll try to put the riders first and their interests ahead of their own?

Yes the idea is to give it a high UCI ranking. I like the idea of calling it Toer van Suid Afrika to give it an original South African feel.

It's going to be 9 days, and on a par with the Tour Down Under.

You're right, I think the FIFA World Cup added impetus to the idea, and made us realise what is possible with good organisation.

It *is* becoming a reality: http://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/Cycling/Cycling-SA-unveils-2020-vision-20100803 The route, distances, main sponsor and team will be announced in 4 weeks. Three cheers to Barry Mocke.

well stand by for an announcement by CSA on Wednesday...about what exactly is anybody's guess. A new president or something else?

a 3000km+ route would be great but I somehow think it would be seen as prep for the classics in Europe, so would need to be half as long and flat. But you never know.

Do you guys have a website? Is it possible to see any of the Big 5 whilst riding?

Do you guys have a website? Is it possible to see any of the Big 5 whilst riding?

Probably makes sense to follow the format of the Tour Down Under [in terms of length].

You're absolutely right. The budgets for the TDF start at about E4 million [that's 4 million Euros or R40 million Rand] and end at E15 million. The biggest sponsorship was from HTC Columbia with about R150 000 000. Actually these might not be for the TDF specifically but for the teams for the entire year. Even so, at E15 million you're still talking about at least E1m per month [or R10 million]. I think this event will be great for cycling but also for tourism and coverage of this country.

Standard Bank, MTN and SASOL seem like the logical sponsors to start with, especially since SASOL aren't renewing their sponsorship with the Boks, and MTN's very prominent sponsorship of cycling thus far.

Dirtbreath I think this is definitely one of the options. The Cape Epic certainly provides a beautiful template for a successful event. Perhaps I should chat to the organiser of the Epic and get their suggestions and possible involvement.

what about suggestions proposals for routes...

Hi dudes and dolls. I'm researching a major article on a possible alternative to Australia's Tour Down Under. Lance has said SA is perfect for an off season tour, has the countryside etc. And a Tour was mooted until it was scuttled by bickering administrators. I'd like to restart that discussion, both from the ordinary and pro cyclists side, and from the sponsors and organisers side. Let's see if we can have a meeting of the minds and maybe this article will be the groundwork towards a Tour in 2011 or 2012. If we can do the World Cup, a Tour deSA should be a snip. All constructive input, news, suggestions, contacts welcome. All information will be put together in a multi-page spread in national cycling mag.