Wednesday, 19 October 2011 07:54
Masters group expanded for Msunduzi Road Challenge
The organisers of the Msunduzi Road Challenge cycle race on 29 and 30 October have expanded the masters’ age categories for the event to accommodate demand for recognition in the UCI World Cycle Tour event.
Cycling South Africa has agreed to expand the individual age class for men and women to include separate classes for riders older than fifty years of age, in five-year batches.
“The Msunduzi Road Challenge is an amateur event and there is no prize money involved, but recognition of the achievements in the veteran and masters classes is very important,” said Cycling South Africa's head of recreational cycling Dave Bellairs.
“Yes the numbers may be smaller in the higher age groups, but that doesn’t mean that they should have any less chance of getting recognised and making a podium as riders younger than them,” Bellairs added. “We have a great culture of mass participation road cycling in South Africa, and I would encourage road cyclists to support the Msunduzi Road Challenge and make it an international showcase of what we are capable of doing here.”
In response to the requests for expansion of the entry age classes, Cycling SA has expanded the oldest age group from 65+ to five year-groups up to an 85-89 year age group. Masters stalwart Terry Burrell is one of those who will benefit from the expansion of the age groups.
“This really is magnificent news,” said Burrell. “It’s something a lot of us have been looking forward to for some time now and for the organisers to have heard our request and then been prepared to make amendments is really fantastic not only for this race but for the whole sport as well.
“I can understand why organisers generally are reluctant to offer all these various categories,” he added. “However after analysing the results of even just some of the fun rides that have taken place over the past few years there are quite a few older guys taking part in these rides.
“Whilst they may not be the best cyclists around if organisers were prepared to recognise their achievements a little better then I’m pretty sure they would then put in a little more effort and raise their performances a little as well,” said Burrell.
Pre-entries will close on Friday, 21 October 2011; Time Trial entries will close this Friday, whilst the entries for the Road Race will remain open until the day prior to the event but will incur the additional R50 late entry fee if entering after this Friday.
Msunduzi Road Challenge Fast Facts:
Date: Saturday 29th October and Sunday 30th October 2011
Venue: Alexander Park, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
Distances: Road Race – 126km; 111km, 90km
Distance: Time Trial – 27km
Entry Fees: Road Race – R200 ($ 30.00 or € 25.00)
Entry Fees: Time Trial – R120 ($ 20.00 or € 15.00)
Enter here
Further detailed information about the Msunduzi Road Challenge can be found on the event website by visiting www.msunduziroadchallenge.co.za
For general event queries, contact Alec Lenferna at alec@realem.co.za and for all entry related queries contact Tarryn Duncan at tarryn@cyclingsa.com
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