BuaNews (Tshwane)
30 January 2008
Pietermaritzburg — Over the course of the next four years Pietermaritzburg, is set to host major road cycling, mountain biking and BMX events that will draw some of the sport's best from around the world.
The city will host the UCI Mountain Bike Triple World Cup from 2009 to 2011 and the UCI BMX World Championships in 2010, but coming up early in 2008 is a new addition to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) continental calendar, the World's View Challenge. Taking place from 2 to 7 February, the event will feature five one-day races, all of which will start and finish in Pietermaritzburg, reports SouthAfrica.info. Among the big teams competing will be South African-sponsored Team Barloworld and Pro Tour outfits Team Milram and Team Liquigas. Barloworld currently competes as a UCI Professional Continental team, which is one level below the elite Pro Tour.
However, after being invited to compete in the 2007 Tour de France, it showed it has a talented and competitive line-up with Maurico Soler capturing the polka dot jersey and Robbie Hunter finishing second in the green jersey competition. Both Soler and Hunter scored stage victories as the red and white of Barloworld became a regular feature at the conclusion of each day's racing.
Having exceeded even their own expectations, Barloworld will, no doubt, want to make even bigger waves in 2008 and 10 new signings have signalled their intention to do just that. Prize money totals R650 000, divided between the five races, with points on the UCI's Africa Tour up for grabs.
Alex Lenferna, director of the Treble Group, who are organising the event, detailed the make-up of the field and the format of the races: "Each of the races will see a professional race leading off the front of the field with a limited field of recreational riders also competing," he explained.
"The professional racing field will see a total of 15 international teams competing, with four of these teams being UCI ProTour teams, and the rest of the field being made up of UCI Continental Teams or National Teams." The Intakatech World's View Challenge is the first event of its kind in Africa because it allows for elite international cyclists and accomplished recreational South African cyclists to compete.
In addition, professional women's teams will be in action on two of the days.
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