Cyclists who are targeting the Takealot Berge & Dale title next week will need to make sure they are well prepared for a challenging finish to the popular road classic.<\/p>\n
The feature race of 108km in the 20th edition of one of South Africa’s longest-running events will see the leading bunch having to tackle the Sterkfontein climb in the closing stages.<\/p>\n
A huge entry is again expected for the February 23 race, which also includes an alternative distance of 60km. Entries close at midnight tonight.<\/p>\n
The Berge & Dale is a premier seeding event for the Cape Town Cycle Tour and ideal preparation for the Western Cape race on March 10.<\/p>\n
Erick Oosthuizen, chief executive of race organisers ASG Events, said safety issues had played a prominent role in them deciding to reverse the route for the race in Krugersdorp on the West Rand.<\/p>\n
“The decision to ride counter-clockwise to the previous route was taken in consultation with the traffic department,” he said.<\/p>\n
“This will allow us to get everyone off the N14 highway early in the race and we will now also end the race on the top of the Krugersdorp hill.<\/p>\n
“This will alleviate the anxiety of the entrance into a venue and will give the guys a nice run down into the race village at the Silverstar Casino once they are done.”<\/p>\n
The changes, Oosthuizen added, would not detract at all from the challenge facing the riders.<\/p>\n
“It will definitely test them because the finish will be just as hard, as you now have to contend with the infamous Sterkfontein climb in the closing kilometres.<\/p>\n
He described the feature race as one which would test the riders’ mental fortitude as well as their conditioning.<\/p>\n
“The first couple of kilometres will allow them to ease into the race, but the legs will be tested in the cradle [Cradle of Humankind], so they must be careful not to burn all the matches.<\/p>\n
“I believe the last couple of kilometres into Krugerdorp is where the guys will hurt the most.”<\/p>\n
Oosthuizen added, though, that he thought the Sterkfontein climb up to Robert Broom could be decisive in deciding the final winners.<\/p>\n
“As a safety measure we will finish at the top of the Krugersdorp hill and then the riders will be able to cruise downhill into the race village at the casino.”<\/p>\n
Riders in the 60km race, he said, would enjoy “a fantastic meander around the cradle”.<\/p>\n
To enter, go to www.bergeendale.co.za.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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