[Event] BESTMED Tour De Boland 2015

[schuttpj]

 

VERY IMPORTANT PARTICIPANT CORRESPONDENCE

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Dear 2015 Tour de Boland participant,

Thanks so much for taking part in this year’s Bestmed Tour de Boland, presented by Pinarello.

2015 marked the 3rd edition of the tour promoted by ASG Events and the first one where we had a fully-fledged amateur (open) section for individuals and teams.

Despite some teething problems in this section (mostly relating to the timing system) feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we want to thank everyone who participated in the online survey system and/or mailed us feedback.

They say that feedback is the food of champions and we want to assure all participants that every bit of constructive feedback or suggestions will be taken to heart and implemented to make future editions of the tour better and more enjoyable.

Sadly, after 3 years of significant investment by ASG, Bestmed and other co-sponsors, a dispute has now arisen with Mr Carinus Lemmer relating to ownership of the name ‘TOUR DE BOLAND’.

We are confident that we can defend our position in this regard with CSA. But, in conjunction with our partners and co-sponsors, we decided to not get involved in what would in essence be a destructive process and largely an unnecessary one too.

As such, we have taken the principle decision to just rename the tour. What was previously known as the Tour de Boland will from 2016 be called the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope Presented by Rudy Project (name subject to approval by the relevant authorities). 

The 2016 Bestmed Tour of Good Hope will be presented with the full support and by essentially the same team, sponsors and partners that have been involved to date but with some notable improvements and new features specifically related to electronic timing and a much greater focus on the Amateur (open/seeded) team and individual event.

Certain racing components that we could not implement this year due to timing challenges will be features of the 2016 tour including a King of the Mountains – and Points competition (and jerseys) amongst other things in the open/seeded section.

The 2016 Bestmed Tour of Good Hope (previously Tour de Boland) will again be presented in the week leading up to the Cape Town Cycle Tour from 29 February to 4 March 2016 and be based in the Paarl/Franschhoek valley, encompassing five days of clover leaf racing from this wonderful location in die Cape Winelands.

We believe this format (central race village hub) will significantly reduce the logistics and ‘own costs’ of participants related to traveling and accomodation while incorporating some of the best and most famous cycling routes and mountain passes in the Western Cape.

We are trying to minimise rider costs and logistical difficulties around the tour as much as possible for next year. These changes will decrease the hassle factor considerably.

Bestmed, as the event title sponsor, and ASG will continue working with CSA to attain UCI accreditation for the 2016 event, which will make it a fully fledged international tour.

Electronic timing in the 2016 event will bring the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope in line with all ten of our other national road races.

Please accept, again, our sincerest apologies for the timing difficulties and delays experienced during this year’s tour, which detracted greatly from the organisational vision we had for the event.

 

We will continue to consult with and take feedback from participants in order to collate and integrate ideas, feedback and suggestions into future events.

We will set up a new 2016 Event Facebook page to facilitate this process.

The amateur and team section of the tour in the Open/Seeded category was an ASG brainchild and after an experimental (very modest) start last year, it scaled exactly like we expected it would this year we are convinced it will continue to grow.

This year we could not accommodate more than 200 riders in this category and as such will implement the necessary measures and investment for 2016 to be able to allow more riders to enjoy this experience.

The total amount of entries for the 2016 tour will be limited to 1000 riders with bunches made up provisionally as follows:

• Elite Men: 100 riders

• Vets 30 +: 80 riders

• Vets 40 +: 80 riders

• Vets 50 +: 80 riders

• Elite Ladies: 30

• Licensed Juniors (2nd year only): 30

• Open/Seeded A bunch: 200

• Open/Seeded B bunch: 200

• Open/Seeded Teams: 160 (20 teams of 8 riders each)

The entry fee for the 5-day tour next year will be R3300 per rider, but we are making entries available to 2015 participants at R2900 per entry until 31 March 2015 after which we will open entries to the general public.

In addition to the reduced rate and as a token of our gratitude to the ongoing support from riders, Italian company, Rudy Project (as part of its ‘presenting sponsor’ commitment) will sponsor a top of the range helmet (valued at more than R2000) for all 2015 riders who re-enter for the 2016 tour by 31 March.

Goody bags will again feature ample valuable items and our partners have all committed to adding even more value for the 2016 tour.

The 2016 Tour entry fee will also now include a daily lunch (at the race village).

A significant increase in prizes and prize money in all catagories will be announced soon.

Venue:

We will be entering into negotiations with several estates in the valley to host the race village for 2016 – as soon as an agreement is reached more information will be provided.

Provisional Stages (all stages start and finish in Paarl):

Stage 1: The Famous 4 Passes Route. 

Starting in Paarl, the stage heads out over Helshoogte to Somerset West before riders will climb the famous Sir Louwry’s Pass turn left into Grabouw and then return to Paarl via Viljoen’s Pass and the Franschhoek Pass.

Stage 2: 30km individual TT; triangular circuit to Franschhoek and back.

Stage 3: Franschhoek (including Franschhoek pass), Villiersdorp, du Toitskloof Pass, Paarl

Stage 4: Du Toitskloof pass (from Paarl side), Slanghoek and back via Bainskloof Pass

Stage 5: Paarl, Malmesbury, Paardeberg, Suid-agter Paarl, Paarl (Taalmonument finish)

TO SECURE YOUR ENTRY IN THE PREFERENTIAL ENTRY WINDOW, CLICK HERE.

For further information email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za or phone 076 621 1807

A new look tour website will be launched soon.

PLEASE NOTE: We need to make it clear that the official tour for 2016 as highlighted in this document - the Tour of Good Hope (previously Tour de Boland) - should not be confused by the Tour de Boland tour of 2016 as communicated by Mr Carinus Lemmer. ASG, our sponsors and partners in this event have no affiliation or connection to Mr Lemmer. As such please make 100% sure you enter the correct tour.

 

 

Wow, sounds great.  I like the fact that its circular routes...

 

Take note: Please fix the open seeded results (Especially the GC top 3) as PROMISED to re-establish some trust!  If you are unable to fix it, you wont see me there.

[Patchelicious]

Wow, sounds great.  I like the fact that its circular routes...

 

Take note: Please fix the open seeded results (Especially the GC top 3) as PROMISED to re-establish some trust!  If you are unable to fix it, you wont see me there.

Been corrected I see, you are now on the podium