By Buffalo City Reporter
4 April 2008

THE country's top professional cyclists will be in East London for the 2008 South African Time Trial and Road Cycling Championships from Thursday 8 May to Sunday 11 May.

The event, which is sanctioned by Cycling South Africa, is arranged by the Border Cycling Association with support from the Buffalo City Municipality and the provincial department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

Race Director Henk van der Watt said that East London's mild winter weather was ideal for cycling; and the routes for both the Time Trial and Road Cycling were challenging and would provide a worthy test for all the participants.

"Individual time trials will start from the sports centre on the Mount Coke Road and head out towards Needs Camp with a turnaround point back to the start/finish. Distances will vary from 10km to 40km according to age category and gender," said Van der Watt

Describing the route, he said that it has a gradual uphill gradient with short undulating hills; the return leg is expected to be fast, especially if there is a tailwind.

"The individual time trial championships will be held on Thursday 8 May and Friday 9 May and there will be full road closure each day from 9am to 4pm," he said

The road cycling championships will start in the afternoon on Friday 9 May and finish on Sunday 11 May. "All races will be starting and finishing at the famous East London Grand Prix circuit. The track is perfectly situated with the Indian Ocean as a backdrop and ample parking for competitors and the public alike," said Van der Watt

Kick-starting the road cycling championships will be the 4km shorter distance races around the circuit on Friday afternoon.

"On Saturday racing is around the historic Prince George circuit which includes the 1.5km Potters Pass climb with an average gradient of five percent. Each lap is 18km in length and cyclists will be required to complete a specific number of laps depending on the race distance relevant to their age category."

Sunday 11 May will feature the elite pros under 23 junior men's and women's races starting at 7am. "The route takes cyclists towards the city centre via Setter's Way along the Esplanade, on to the North East Express Way and they head out of town on the N2 towards King William's Town, returning on the Mount Coke road."

He called on East Londoners to make Sunday special by coming out in their numbers to see some of the best cyclists in the country.

While in East London visitors will have an opportunity to see the city's beautiful beaches, historical places of interest including the German Statue and the Multicultural man statue on the beachfront, and other places of interest. For more information about the event and accommodation visit: SACC2008 website.