It is with great regret that at 06h38 this morning, we were forced to make the difficult decision to stop the 40th edition of the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
https://www.facebook.com/cycletour/videos/vb.303181639755371/1416836988389825/?type=3&theater
This morning presented a number of challenges, not least of which were wind speeds considerably higher than predicted yesterday. This, combined with a large fire that broke out in Hout Bay in the early hours of this morning, and the added risk of protest action en route, were all contributing factors to the decision made in our Joint Operation Centre (JOC) by the VOC Commander to stop the event.
Our priority first and foremost will always be the safety of all our participants and the risk of injury and potential fatality at the start, at the finish and on Chapman’s Peak warranted this extremely difficult decision. Furthermore, we only made the decision after endeavouring to mitigate all risks to keep the event open.
The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust wishes to extend its immense gratitude and thanks to the City of Cape Town and all those services involved at our JOC in Tygerberg. This includes Disaster Management Services, the Events Office of the City of Cape Town, Fire and Safety, Traffic Authorities and Metro Police as well as our medical services, Mediclinic, the Provincial EMS and South African Police Services. These relationships have been developed over many years and it is in times of crisis that the measure of these relationships are truly tested. I would particularly like to single out the Executive Director of Safety and Security, Mr Richard Bosman as well as the Executive Mayor’s office for the tremendous support under these trying circumstances.
To all our sponsors, who have backed our decision 100%, our eternal gratitude for your understanding and support. Lastly, to the participants who have invested time, effort and resources in getting to the start line, our heartfelt thanks – ultimately this decision was made in the interests of your safety. To the Rotary Clubs and volunteers who have been standing on the route in difficult conditions, we appreciate your tireless effort and sacrifice.
We are humbled by the outpouring of offers to assist and donate food, product and resources to those in need as a result of us stopping this Cycle Tour. We are in the process of co-ordinating efforts to ensure that goods reach those in need in the fire-affected areas in Hout Bay. We encourage the public wishing to donate to please contact Thula Thula in Hout Bay to donate non-perishable goods. They Mayor of Hout Bay has opened the Hout Bay Sports Centre in readiness to receive perishable goods for immediate distribution into the community.
There are various insurances that will cover the participant. I used to be involved on the committee for a few running races and we were often approached by insurers.
For us back then it wasn't really an issue as we only had 3-4000 participants and in running events weather is not that big of an issue, so we never took it, but we would always suggest runners who traveled take out some kind of insurance against the unforeseeable.
The CTCT is a very much bigger event obviously, and weather is an issue, but so is entry fees,.... no doubt there would be a moderate cost involved which would increase the entry fee, and, as thats usually where the prospective cyclist looks first, it may also discourage them from entering.
Its a double edged sword really, but perhaps for future events they could offer an umbrella cover as an added extra, (ie) Entry is R???.00 then if you require it, basic entry cost insurance is an Extra R??.00,....
You could also offer various tiers (ie) for visitors who travel far they could insure against travel and accommodation costs as well, local participants can just insure against entry fees etc.......... it would be a bit of extra paperwork I guess but then its out of the organizers hands and the participant will have recourse (or not, depending) if the event has to be cancelled for whatever reason.
With 35000 entrants this would interest a number of insurers I am sure, the history shows the risk is there but its small, so Yah, I am pretty sure many would be bidding for that contract.