The first details of next year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour have been announced – along with a new change.
Hertzog Boulevard in central Cape Town has long been the traditional start area for the popular race, but in 2018 the location will be moving to the Grand Parade precinct. According to a director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, David Bellairs, last year’s Cycle Tour was a learning curve – the race was cancelled due to strong winds, with some gusts reaching over 100km/h in the city.
“We needed to be responsive in respect of this year’s challenges and look to mitigate the wind risk. We realise that there are very few areas in Cape Town that are immune to the Cape Doctor, but believe with this move that at least participants will not again be subjected to the sort of wind vortices created by the tunnels at the base of the civic center, these being exacerbated by the extraordinarily strong winds prevailing on the morning of this year’s event. An extensive amount of work has gone into understanding and looking into risk mitigation procedures and we are in the process of revising our wind guidelines as they relate to the start, route and finish precinct. This is being done in conjunction with Disaster Management Services, City of Cape Town, Pedal Power Association and experts in the meteorological field.” he was quoted as saying.
The start for the 2018 #ctcycletour will move from its traditional position on Hertzog Boulevard to the historic Grand Parade Precinct. pic.twitter.com/ncooFMmBua
— Cape Town Cycle Tour (@CTCycleTour) August 31, 2017
Minister of Economic Opportunities, Western Cape, Alan Winde: “@CTCycleTour contributes R1.5 billion to the economy”. @IOL @WeekendArgus pic.twitter.com/CGuXqoTQDe
— Rrrrobin Adams (@RobinAdamsZA) August 31, 2017
The 2018 Cape Town Cycle Tour will take place on Sunday, March 11, 2018, with riders gathering at the Grand Parade. The circuit will follow the usual route around the Cape Peninsula to the finish line. Entry applications to the 2018 Cape Town Cycle Tour will be available from on Wednesday, September 20, 2017.
Photography Unsplash