FIRST HOME: Hanro Geldenhuys leads the pack across the line as he successfully defended his Herald Cycle Tour title at Pollok Beach on Sunday. Image: Richard Pearce

There were contrasting finishes as Cape Town cyclists Hanro Geldenhuys (Team RDX) and Hayley Preen (Team Honeycomb 226ers) successfully defended The Herald Cycle Tour 106km Classic titles at Pollok Beach on Sunday.

In its 39th edition, the event, fuelled by Astron Energy and made possible by Telkom, also featured a 55km pursuit race.

There was such a tight finish in the men’s race, that all three podium finishers clocked the same time.

But Geldenhuys clinched the photo finish honours to reign supreme, sealing his second consecutive HCT title after crossing the finish line in two hours, 25 minutes and 41 seconds.

Brad Gouveris was adjudged second and Wynand Hofmeyr was third.

In the women’s race, HCT specialist Preen, 26, secured her third title in a row and her fourth overall to win in comfortable fashion.

She sailed through the finish line in a time of 2.52:05. She was followed by Kelsey van Schoor in 2.54:46 and Zanri Rossouw in 2.54:48.

Geldenhuys had hoped for some wind on the day to make the race more difficult for the riders.

“The wind wasn’t blowing that bad,” Geldenhuys said.

“I would have liked a bit more, but the teams here from Johannesburg really made the pace high on the climbs, so the wind wasn’t needed for us.

“From the start when we got away we were hoping that it would be a reduced bunch, which makes it a little bit more calculated, and that is what we got in the end.

“I was a little bit boxed in when the sprint opened up and I thought, flip, there are my chances gone and Brad was off like a rocket.

“Luckily when I got out, I could start reeling him in slowly but surely.

“The Herald always puts up organised events and everything runs smoothly. It’s a pleasure to be here. I’ll definitely be coming back next year.”

Preen said she was happy with her time, improved from 2024’s 2.59:46.

“Today I didn’t want to run solo for the whole race so I got some ladies with me and we worked nicely, and then I was like I might as well go a bit harder.

“So probably from about 60km I decided to go solo from there to the end.

“The gap wasn’t as big as last year, but it was beautiful weather conditions and a beautiful day.

“I am very happy with my third win in a row and fourth HCT win.”

The Herald editor Rochelle de Kock said the event had grown even more popular.

“It’s more than just a race for cyclists. It has become more of a family event and that is nice,” De Kock said.

“Riders are coming with the children and their families, and every year the various sponsors are setting up and accommodating those children.

“But I think what we have also seen this year, as we have seen in previous years but more so now, is the support of various foundations, the sponsorship for riders such as Uthando Youth Cycling Academy.

“You can see the investment in sponsoring those who are young and what it is doing, because last weekend, for instance, they had podium finishers, as well as last year.

“That shows the importance of really just giving everyone a chance, and we had Glenryck coming on board, who are the sponsors of their kits.

“So they looked nice and professional, and that is what the HCT is about.”

Astron Energy Group managing director Mxolisi Makhatini said: “Partaking in an event like this, we see this as allowing us to cement our plan, to create awareness but also to show support for everybody here.

“It’s the second time we are involved, so we are looking beyond just today.

“I understand the HCT is celebrating its 40th anniversary next year and we would like to be with them, supporting this event.

“But going forward we see this as a flagship event that we, as Eyona Energy, would like to support going forward.

“We would like to see this as a success.”

Telkom chief marketing officer Gugu Mthembu said: “The HCT is an important event in the community of Gqeberha and for us, as Telkom, it’s more than a sponsorship.

“The partnership cements our values of commitment to connections. If you look around, family bonds are being strengthened through this.

“But also the cyclists themselves, when you look at the dedication and the commitment they have in training to finish the 55km and the 106km, it’s commendable.

“It talks to perseverance, it talks to resilience and, as a brand, those values are integral to who we are.”

WINNING WAYS: Celebrating on the podium after the Herald Cycle Tour 80km Extreme women's race are, from left, second-place finisher Sabine Spitz, winner Robyn de Groot and Nicola Clayton, who crossed the line in third. Image: Richard Pearce

Johanneburg’s Robyn De Groot successfully defended her 80km title in the Herald Cycle Tour mountain bike event, fuelled by Astron Energy and made possible by Telkom, at the Addo Polo Club on Sunday morning.

De Groot, 42 crossed the finish line in three hours, 31 minutes and 57 seconds, shredding just over eight minutes off her 2024 finishing time of 3:40:03.

Sabine Spitz went one better than her third place of last year in a time of 3:53:49, while Nicola Clayton took the remaining place on the podium in 4:28:00.

Though happy to have defended her title, De Groot said she would like to have seen greater women’s participation in the main event.

“The trails and the route are fantastic, the weather played along and I had no problems this year, so it was really a cool race,” De Groot said.

“I truly enjoyed the course. These mountain bike events are nice and long, so it’s good — a nice single track and some nice climbing, so we had a bit of everything.

“This year I had no mechanical problems: it was smooth sailing.

“I do not really count wins or anything, but it’s always nice to come into a well-organised event.

“I would to see more women participate in the 80km.

“I was thinking about it when I was riding in. It’s not a massive challenge but it’s a big enough challenge.

“It is definitely doable, so it would be nice to see more women doing the 80km.”

In the men’s 80km race it was Stuart Marais who sailed through comfortably to the finish line in first place in 3:12:38.

He was followed by Lourens Spies (3:21:50) in second, with Stegmann van Zyl taking bronze in 3:21:51.

“I do the HCT every year. I am from here, so these trails are my backyard and I am excited to come back every year,” Marais said.

“The race was really nice. It was a great route and a nice cool day compared to the last couple of days when we had a heatwave.

“We were fortunate to have very cool weather and a great route, a lot of single tracks and great climbs.

“It was a great day. The route was marked pretty well. The water points were well stocked and I did not have any mechanical issues, so I could just enjoy the ride,” Marais said.

He said his race plan had been to go in hard from the outset.

“I planned to go strongly from the start. Where it rolls out is pretty flat, so we usually ride in big groups. As soon as we rode into the single tracks I made quite an effort to split the crew up and we did that.

“The three of us climbed nicely up the pass together and when we got to the top of the pass, I put in another effort to go away alone, and from there I rode nicely to the finish.

“It is always lovely to win, and it’s especially nice to win when you are at home on your home trails.

“I’ll have to come back next year and defend it.”

RIDING CONFIDENTLY: The Herald Cycle Tour participants are assured of top-notch emergency and medical care in the MTB and Road races, thanks to our official partner, Relay EMS. Image: RICHARD PEARCE

It’s all systems go for The Herald Cycle Tour fuelled by Astron Energy 2025, with the mountain bike races taking place this Sunday at the Addo Polo Club.

The road races will be held next Saturday and Sunday (February 15 and 16) at Pollok Beach.

With specialist teams working tirelessly behind the scenes to make this one of the most epic cycle tours in the country, the safety of the 3,000 participants in the various races, as well as spectator safety, will be a priority on both weekends.

Relay EMS will again provide top-tier emergency medical care for The Herald Cycle Tour participants, continuing its partnership with the event since 2020.

“As the official medical service partner, Relay EMS will ensure medical safety throughout the race events, offering a fully-equipped medical centre, ambulances, motorbikes, and response vehicles,” Relay EMS special medical services manager Julia Brits said.

“Relay EMS also focuses on pre-race planning to identify high-risk areas and ensure efficient response during the event.

“Relay EMS was pivotal in a life-saving incident during the 2020 race when a cyclist suffered cardiac arrest, highlighting the importance of our quick, skilled response.”

For the 39th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour, riders who tackle both feature races for road and mountain bikes can enter as Ultimate Quest participants.

The 80km Extreme is the feature event on the off-road programme, which also offers the 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure, 5km Family Ride and 500m Toddlers’ Dash races.

Next weekend’s road programme is headlined by the 106km Classic for various racing categories, complemented by the 55km Adventure for age groups and tandems.

The 2km Kiddies’ Ride and 500m Toddlers’ Dash take place on the Saturday.

Relay EMS will provide a fully equipped medical centre at the finish line for both weekends, as well as ambulances for the lead races and at strategic points along the routes.

Medical personnel will be stationed at the finish line, and a sweeper ambulance will ensure that no cyclists are left on the routes.

These resources will be co-ordinated from the Venue Operations Centre (Voc).

“The Voc is set up to allow us to live-track all our vehicles along the course, and our extensive digital private radio network will enable us to communicate directly with our crews.

“Any incidents along the route are communicated to the Voc; the Voc will then allocate the closest resource to the incident, ensuring we respond as quickly as possible,” Brits said.

Relay EMS will also have water points at both events.

“Ensuring the safety and care of all cyclists is our top priority; Relay EMS is prepared for any medical situation, and we are proud to serve this iconic cycling event again.”

Online entries for the races have closed, however, late entries will be available at the registration tent on Friday at Pollok Beach from 2-6pm (for the MTB races) and on February 14 and 15 at Pollok Beach from 2-6pm and 9-1pm respectively (for the road races).

To support your favourite riders and come share in the fun, find out more by visiting www.heraldcycletour.co.za

For further queries, contact The Herald marketing manager Berna Ulay-Walters at ulayb@theherald.co.za

ENJOYING THE RIDE: Cyclists tackle a hill in Maitlands during The Herald Cycle Tour. Image: Richard Pearce

In support of community and connection, Telkom announced its sponsorship of The Herald Cycle Tour 2025.

Excitement is building up for the most popular cycling festival in the Eastern Cape — The Herald Cycle Tour, with mountain bike races taking place at the Addo Polo Club on Sunday February 9, and the much-anticipated road races at Pollok Beach on Saturday February 15 and Sunday February 16.

The Herald Cycle Tour traditionally attracts about 3,000 participants and 8,000 spectators from across SA and is a family-friendly outdoor event that is a firm favourite on the sporting calendar in the region.

Building and connecting communities is a fundamental aspect of The Herald Cycle Tour's value proposition.

As SA's leading technology service provider, Telkom is well-positioned to foster these connections.

“At Telkom, we recognise the importance of health and wellness as essential pillars of vibrant communities. Through our sponsorship of the Herald Cycle Tour, we are committed to promoting active lifestyles and supporting initiatives that inspire individuals to prioritise their physical wellbeing,” Telkom chief marketing officer Gugu Mthembu said.

“This partnership also affirms our commitment to championing a better life for all through sports and technology.”

For the 39th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour, riders who tackle both feature races for road and mountain bikes can enter as an Ultimate Quest participant.

The 80km Extreme is the feature event on the off-road programme, which also offers the 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure, 5km Family Ride and 500m Toddlers’ Dash races.

The following Sunday’s road programme is headlined by the 106km Classic for various racing categories and complemented by the 55km Adventure for age groups and tandems.

The 2km Kiddies’ Ride and 500m Toddlers’ Dash take place on the Saturday.

“By leveraging technology and meaningful activations, we aim to create memorable experiences, amplify brand visibility, and demonstrate how Telkom continues to enable possibilities where people, passion, and progress intersect.

“The Herald Cycle Tour is the perfect platform to showcase our dedication to these values while connecting with communities in a meaningful way,” Mthembu said.

The race village will offer an array of activities for the whole family — picnic zones, family tents, beer garden, kiddies play park, live entertainment and Standard Bank’s VIP lounges.

The Herald Cycle Tour has drawn support from a wide range of businesses, including top-tier sponsors Telkom and Astron Energy.

Other event partners include the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Glenryck, Eastern Cape Motors Group, Standard Bank, Powerade, Town Lodge Group, Zuurberg Mountain Village, Relay EMS, Trek and Cyclo Pro, Rack and Tow (Thule), Wayne Pheiffer Cycles, Coimbra, Talisman Hire & K&W Amusements, Goshawk and Omega Security.

The four charities supported by The Herald Cycle Tour 2025 are Uthando Cycle Youth Academy, Bayethe Multisport Academy, the Reach for a Dream Foundation and Smile Foundation.

Entries will close at midday on February 3. To enter, and for further information, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za

For other queries, contact The Herald marketing manager Berna Ulay-Walters at ulayb@theherald.co.za.

OFFERING REFRESHMENT: Powerade, proud hydration sponsors of The Herald Cycle Tour, are here to keep riders refreshed every pedal of the way. From left are Powerade’s Victoria Mini, Janet Maree and Brendon Prince at last year’s race. Image: Richard Pearce

With the race days getting closer and closer, The Herald Cycle Tour, fuelled by Astron Energy 2025 is building up to be a fantastic sporting event for the Eastern Cape.

Mountain bike races take place at the Addo Polo Club on Sunday, February 9 and the popular road races from Pollok Beach are gearing up to be a highly contested, family-friendly weekend on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16.

As the official hydration sponsor of The Herald Cycle Tour, Coca-Cola Beverages SA (CCBSA) will again provide refreshment stations at the mountain bike and road races in the various categories cyclists will participate in over the upcoming race weekends.

CCBSA special events team leader Brendon Prince said CCBSA is proud to support The Herald Cycle Tour as a long-standing partner because of the companies’ shared commitment to promoting active lifestyles, wellness, and community engagement.

“Cycling embodies qualities such as endurance, determination, and perseverance, and CCBSA recognises the importance of hydration in achieving peak performance.

“Through this partnership, the company ensures that participants have access to Powerade, a high-quality hydration solution to fuel their ride and optimise their performance,” Prince said.

In addition to the hydration stations along the routes and drinks at the finish line, CCBSA will also provide refreshment options at the family picnic zones, tents, beer gardens, and lounges.

“CCBSA will play an integral role in the success of The Herald Cycle Tour by providing strategically placed hydration stations along the route.

“These stations ensure riders stay refreshed and maintain optimal performance with Powerade, a scientifically designed sports drink that replenishes electrolytes and supports endurance,” Prince said.

Powerade is specifically formulated to aid energy recovery, and support peak physical performance, making it an invaluable partner for cyclists striving to reach their full potential.

“Hydration is essential in every rider’s fitness journey as it directly influences performance, endurance, and recovery. Proper hydration ensures that the body maintains optimal temperature regulation, cardiovascular function, and muscle efficiency during physical exertion,” Prince said.

Don’t miss out on this exciting cycling event, with entries closing at midday on February 3. To enter, and for further information, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za

For other queries, contact The Herald marketing manager Berna Ulay-Walters at ulayb@theherald.co.za.

UNPARALLELED HOSPITALITY: Cyclist Kelsey van Schoor enjoys a hearty breakfast at Town Lodge Gqeberha, official accommodation sponsor of The Herald Cycle Tour. Image: WERNER HILLS

The weekend of February 14-16 is not only Valentine’s weekend, but also the dates for the road races of The Herald Cycle Tour, fuelled by Astron Energy, in Gqeberha.

Offering more than one good reason to break away to the Friendly City, visitors need to look no further than Town Lodge Gqeberha in Summerstrand for all their accommodation needs as the official road race accommodation sponsor and partner for The Herald Cycle Tour 2025.

Town Lodge Gqeberha is sponsoring 40 single and/or double rooms for the weekend of The Herald Cycle Tour’s road races (Saturday February 15 and Sunday February 16 from Pollok Beach), in addition to providing preferential rates for out-of-town riders and spectators.

This follows the mountain bike races of The Herald Cycle Tour 2025 which take place the previous weekend on Sunday February 9 at the Addo Polo Club.

Hotel general manager Glenn Pappin said the preferential rates applied for the period February 1-16 at Town Lodge Gqeberha.

“A major sporting event like The Herald Cycle Tour is an excellent platform to showcase Gqeberha and its surrounds, boosting visitor numbers, increasing spend in hotels, restaurants and other businesses, and, overall, shining a light on the many wonderful local attractions,” Pappin said.

He added that City Lodge Hotels, conveniently located along the route of the iconic cycle race, was proud to be associated with The Herald Cycle Tour 2025.

“We offer six hotels in the Eastern Cape, representing all four of our brands — Courtyard Hotel, City Lodge Hotel, Town Lodge and Road Lodge.

“Each brand has a property in Summerstrand. We look forward to hosting cyclists, their entourages and families each year.”

Town Lodge Gqeberha is ideally situated close to the Boardwalk Mall and excellent restaurants, while some of the best beaches in the city are all within walking distance.

The hotel offers fast and reliable wi-fi, a 14-seater boardroom, a sparkling pool and deck, plus a sundowner bar with spectacular views of the ocean.

“Gqeberha has successfully hosted many sporting events and this is no doubt due to its pleasant year-round weather, world-class facilities, diverse geographical features like beaches and the warm ocean, trails and lush foliage, and its role as the economic hub in the Eastern Cape,” Pappin said.

“For those keen to make a holiday out of it, there is a lot to see and do in the area.”

In addition, on race weekend the race village will offer picnic zones, a family tent, beer garden, kiddies play park, live entertainment and Standard Bank’s VIP lounges.

Riders and spectators can also look forward to exciting race village activations by platinum sponsor Telkom, as well as co-naming sponsor Astron Energy.

Entries close at midday on February 3. To enter, and for further information, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za.

For other queries, contact The Herald marketing manager Berna Ulay-Walters at ulayb@theherald.co.za.