Road cycling on the rise again with Tshwane Diamond Cycle Classic around the corner
Former professional David Labuschagne believes the new Tshwane Diamond Classic, which takes place on 26 May this year, is going to become hugely popular.
Following many years during which road cycling appeared to play second fiddle to the rise of mountain-biking, the popularity of road cycling is on the rise again.
“It’s the case in Pretoria for sure,” said former professional David Labuschagne. “While mountain-biking has been prevalent for quite some time, we saw a big upswing in the sale of road bikes and road bike components towards the end of last year.”
The reintroduction of well-organised road races such as the Tshwane Classic and the recently launched Tshwane Diamond Classic has been a catalyst for this, according to David. “Mountain-biking is a great sport, of course, but many cyclists become disillusioned when they realise how much harder and tougher it is on the body compared to road riding.”
Admitting that it might not necessarily become quite as big as the Tshwane Classic, he did however state that he thinks the Tshwane Diamond Classic will boast more than 20 000 participants in years to come.
“The route is beautiful and the roads quiet and in very good nick throughout. I think this is going to be a great event. I think it’s going to vest itself as the final road classic before riders take a break going into winter.”
The Tshwane Diamond Classic is presented by Hectic Promotions (NPC), the same company that organises the Tshwane Classic as well as the Bestmed Cycle4CANSA. Hectic Promotions’ director, Mauritz Meyer, believes Pretoria cyclists have not had enough road races on offer for a very long time.
“For as long as I can remember, Joburg, the East Rand, West Rand and the South have had a myriad road races in which their residents could take part, but before the establishment of the Tshwane Classic two years ago, Pretoria didn’t have a signature mass participation race,” said Mauritz. “That’s changed now, and we would like to build on our good relationship with the Tshwane Metro to create more recognised road events for Pretoria cyclists.”
The Diamond Classic starts at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Facility, but still falls within Pretoria’s city limits, and is the perfect vantage point to access the quiet and perfectly suited road race route that takes cyclists to Cullinan, Rayton, Bronkhorstspruit and back.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northside@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
