If you want to watch fast paced bike racing with one gear and no brakes come to the Olympic standard Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town. Western Province Cycling Association and Pedal Power Association will be hosting the much anticipated meet to see who is the best in the West, starting this Friday the 11th at 16H00 leading into Saturday morning the 12th starting at 09h00 as a warm-up of what’s to happen later this month at the SA CHAMPS 2016. Spectators get free entry!
Day 1 sees us with tight, short, high powered races opening with the Flying 200m Sprints, followed by individual pursuits ranging from 2000m to 4000m ending off with team pursuit just before the break.
Opening after the break will see us with The KILO – “The Olympic blue ribbon discipline” as Sir Chris Hoy has mentioned which is a standing start sprint for 1km. Elites, Juniors, Ladies, Vets, Masters and even a para cycling tandem will launch from the line!
The champions will be rewarded at the medal ceremony while the rest of the athletes refuel for the second leg after the break.
Team sprint – the 3 man lead out race – will continue after break followed by the 7.5km to 10km scratch races. The sprinters will then be called back to duel before the final medal ceremony.
Day 2 opens with head-to-head duels with the fastest two riders in each category followed by a short break to repower for the lead out race The Keirin “racing wheels”. The Keirin is a form of motor-paced cycle racing in which track cyclists sprint for victory after a speed-controlled start behind a motorcycle. Cyclists can reach speeds in excess of 70kph, racing for the line with no brakes and one fixed gear!
Building up to the longer races we will have the points races ranging from 3km to 20km that sees the first 4 riders gaining points over their opposition in intermediate sprints. An ultimate test of endurance!
The 20km high paced Madison will bring the WP Champs to a thrilling end with riders slinging their partners into the race. Crowning the fastest in the West will follow in the medal ceremony.
Who will come out on top? Come and see!
Who are the big names in the Western Cape/SA to look out for?
Jean Smith Current African Track Champ (Elite)
Mark Lister Current SA Track Champ (Vets)
Daniyal Matthews Current SA Track Champ (Junior)
Clint Hendricks Winner of the 2016 Cape Town Cycle Tour
Maroesjka Matthee Current SA Champ (Elite)
Elfriede Wolfaardt Current SA Champ (Vets)
Amongst other Bernette Beyers on the track and The Killarney Crit series Podium holders are non-other than Team Giant’s Evan Carstens, and Rudie Kellerman and Graeme Ockhuis.
