October 30, 2006
By Lucky Sindane
ORGANISERS of the tenth annual Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the race lives up to its name – Joburg's safest race.
Residents are urged to plan their routes ahead of time, as many of Joburg's roads will be closed for the race. More than 28 000 cyclists will take to the streets on Sunday, 19 November.
The race will start in Woodmead on Woodmead Drive, between Maxwell Drive and Van Reenen Avenue, and finish at the Waterfall Equestrian Estate, on the corner of Maxwell Drive and the R55 in Sunninghill.
The route is the same as last year. It goes through Parktown, over the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein, up Jan Smuts Avenue and through Diepsloot to finish at the Waterfall Equestrian Estate.
The Children's Cycle Challenge and Mountain Bike Challenge will take place on Saturday, 18 November, starting and finishing at the Waterfall Equestrian Estate. The Cycle Challenge expo and race registration will take place from Thursday, 16 November to Saturday, 18 November at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton.
Participants in the 2005 Cycle Challenge
The race is fully endorsed by the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng government to ensure that Joburgers are aware of road closures and alternative routes.
"We really couldn't claim to be Joburg's safest race if it wasn't for the support of the City of Johannesburg and the full road closure it affords us on the day," said Dex de Bruin, 94.7 Highveld Stereo's marketing manager.
"But also just as important, is the continued support we receive from the people of Joburg. The cyclists, motorists, residents and businesses along the route have all helped to make this event what it is today: a world-class success. For that we thank them."
For the first time ever this year's cycle challenge will be broadcast live on SuperSport and will feature two world famous Tour de France commentators, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen.
"Ten years is not only a milestone but also a mark of triumph for the organisers of the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge," said Liggett, who will be attending his fifth cycle challenge this year. "They can look back on a decade of progress and a future secured for this sport."
"It is also a double celebration for me as in our 21st year together as commentators, Paul Sherwen will join me and get his first cycle challenge experience. Paul, who retired as a top French-based professional in 1985, joined me as a commentator immediately afterwards and will fly in from his home in Uganda to be with me on this special day," Liggett said.
The live broadcast on SuperSport 6 will start at 5am and run until 9am. The professional men's, women's and other racing categories will be featured.
A one-hour insert showcasing the lighter, fun side of the race will be aired later that day on SuperSport 1, while a 26-minute highlights package will be televised the following weekend on SuperSport 1 and on M-Net.
"We are very excited to be welcoming both Phil and Paul to commentate on this first ever live broadcast of the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge. It's particularly poignant as the race enters its tenth successful year," De Bruin said.
Full details of the road closures are available on the Highveld Stereo website, which also offers alternative routes. For more information contact the call centre on 0862 947 947.
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