Ja well, a simple crit around Monty would have sufficed. But unfortunately CSA were to eager to run with the idea of "showcasing" Jo'burg... (probably the business case they proposed to Cell C to get the sponsorship in the 1st place)Although the idea of a "documentary" sounds great in theory the reality of taking a peleton of racing cyclist through the busiest parts of town is one that would take months of prep. Not seeing any advertisements, road closure notices or flyers being handed out at intersections building up to the event makes me to believe that this was a very poorly planned day. One not only endangering the lives of the riders but tarnishing the image a a sport not well supported in the 1st place and highlighting the little respect the sport receives in a sporting Nation of Soccer, Cricket and Rugby. If there is a next run, please take the race to the Cape to showcase the natural beauty of our country. And if it needs to be run on a shoe string budget (because JHB corporates are not interested) then so be it. No need to bring cycling to the people of Jo'burg, they're not interested in the 1st place. Hopefully lessons were learned and heads will roll, understanding business is one thing but you also need to understand the demands of the sport- you cannot run an international tour through Jhb with "rolling road closures"- that was a serious omission on the part of the organisers... as I said a ctit or short 10km loop would have been perfect....before hitting the mountains of the cape a nice bunch sprint would have been a spectacle of note...
