Nelson Mandela Bay will be awash with cyclists when the 30th edition of The Herald VW Cycle Tour takes place on January 31 and February 1.
Alan Taylor, of long-standing print sponsor Bukani Print, said organisers were gearing up for a memorable celebration of three decades of cycling in the city.
“The cycle tour has been around for 30 years, so it’s very important that it gets the public support it needs. I’d like to call on PE residents to come out and show their support.”
An avid sportsman himself, Taylor said his company had been involved with the event for more than a decade.
“We take care of all the printing needs – including flyers, posters, entry forms and the official race booklet.”
He said a pre-event marketing campaign in January would see 20 000 flyers handed out at busy traffic intersections across the city.
“We need to drive support for the race. People always complain that nothing good comes to PE but we need to give our local events our blessing.”
He said all participants would receive a bumper 52-page, full-colour commemorative booklet.
“The race booklet gives riders all the info they need for race day and includes photographs of each of the professional teams taking part in the 2015 event.”
Taylor, who will also be taking over the management of the marshalling services, asked motorists to be patient during the rolling road closures for the 55km and 106km feature races on the Sunday.
“People need to realise that sporting events are big money spinners for their city.
“A few hours of personal inconvenience can lead to a positive long-term economic impact for PE.”
With 115 marshals and municipal traffic officials manning the route, participants could look forward to a safe racing experience on the city’s roads, he said.
“The guys from Charlo Athletics Club marshal at various sporting events on a regular basis and, as runners and fellow sportspeople, they understand the need to be authoritative and alert and do a great job.”
The weekend festival of cycling starts on the Saturday morning with the Powerade-sponsored family road races along the beachfront. At the same time, the Addo Polo Club will play host to the mountain bike events.
The event officially draws to a close with the prize-giving at the Hobie Beach race village after Sunday’s 55km Pursuit and 106km Classic.
For more information, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za.
Issued by:
Coetzee Gouws
082 575 7991
041 368 4992
coetzee@fullstopcom.com
www.fullstop.co.za
Media enquiries:
Anica van Wyk
pr@fullstopcom.com
079 875 4299
On behalf of:
The Herald VW Cycle Tour