Plans Rolling Out for 2012 CSA KZN All Africa Challenge

[Matt]

Pietermaritzburg is fast becoming a recognised location for all that is cycling. This is affirmed by the announcement of the 2012 CSA KZN All Africa Challenge, scheduled to take place in KwaZulu-Natal’s capital city from 25th to 30th April 2012.

 

Three major cycling events will form part of the 2012 CSA KZN All Africa Challenge, these being BMX, Track cycling, and mountain biking. Alexander Park will host the BMX and Track racing, whilst Cascades MTB Park will host the mountain bike challenges.

 

According to the All Africa Challenge event organiser Alec Lenferna, the idea is that it is open to South African athletes as well as those from neighbouring countries. “With 2012 being an Olympic year, the athletes need to be able to compete in high quality events as often as possible. The All Africa Challenge is designed to assist with this, and is also relative to the establishment of Pietermaritzburg as a core African cycling destination for these activities.”

 

Instead of hosting individual championship events per discipline, these cycling communities will now be brought together in a festival of cycling over this period.

 

BMX

 

The one-off SA BMX National Championship will be held from Friday 27th April to Sunday 29th April, and all the big stars of SA BMX are expected to attend this prestigious occasion.

 

The existing track that was used for the 2011 UCI BMX super-cross race in Alexander Park, Pietermaritzburg is currently being rebuilt for the championship race, and will be looked after and maintained by Pietermaritzburg BMX Club thereafter.

 

Schedule of Events

• April 27 (Friday) – Pietermaritzburg – Gate Starts
  
• April 28 (Saturday) – Pietermaritzburg – SA National Championships Leg 1
  
• April 29 (Sunday) – Pietermaritzburg – SA National Championships Leg 2
  

For any further information on the BMX event, please contact Jason Nichol on Jason@gibagorge.co.za.

 

TRACK

 

The 2012 SA Track Cycling Championships will be held from Thursday 26th – Monday 30th April. The local KZN cycling community is abuzz whilst the upgrading preparations steamroll ahead on an outdoor track that has not hosted a major cycling race in about 20 years!

 

The inside run-off of the track is almost complete and once this has properly cured, the track will be remarked and painted – this should be in approximately three weeks time. The overall condition is very good, and the general clean up around the facility itself has begun in earnest.

 

Mike Adey says: “Everything is running according to plan at the moment. It is a quick track, and the condition is very good. It will not be as bumpy as the Hector Norris track in Johannesburg, yet not as smooth as the Bellville Velodrome.

 

The Schedule of Events will be released once they have been finalised. For any further information on the TRACK event, please contact Mike Adey on m.adey1308@gmail.com.

 

MOUNTAIN BIKE

 

Mountain bikers can look forward to an introduction of something new when it comes to the off road discipline in South Africa – KZNMTB will be hosting a “Euro-Style” enduro race, scheduled for Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April. Enduro Racing is a new and exciting discipline that offers cross-country riders, down hillers and your weekend warrior to compete in the same event.

 

The Enduro will consist of three stages on Saturday in Howick and two stages on Sunday at Cascades in Pietermaritzburg. The race is open to individuals or it can be raced as a relay with two riders in a team, each completing a stage.

 

Prizes will be on offer for the fastest male and female and teams at the end of the event, and categories will be open to Junior Men & Women (39); Senior Women (>30).

 

For any further information on the MOUNTAIN BIKE event, please contact Johann Wykerd on info@w2cycling.co.za or visit www.kznmtb.co.za.

 

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