MTN-Qhubeka\u2019s victory at this year\u2019s Optimum Berge en Dale Classic launched a successful international campaign. Photo: Supplied by MTN-Qhubeka<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cStrong climbers usually come to the fore on the undulating course. Of all the big races leading up to the tour, I believe it\u2019s the closest in terms of difficulty.\u201d<\/p>\n De Villiers said the route began with the well-known Hillsnacks ascent, which used to be a category four climb in the Rapport Tour. \u201cIt\u2019s a six-kilometre monster with a seven per cent gradient.<\/p>\n \u201cThe final climb back to the R28 doesn\u2019t have a name, but it\u2019s a backbreaker with just 10 kilometres to go.\u201d<\/p>\n And just when they thought the worst was over, he said riders encountered the sting in the tail. \u201cThe short uphill drag along the highway to the finish is pure torture after 97 kilometres of hard riding.\u201d<\/p>\n But those were the only perils to worry about, said De Villiers. \u201cThe surface is good throughout and the roads are nice and quiet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe get a lot of assistance from Mogale City traffic officers and the race therefore has a reputation for being one of the safest in Gauteng.\u201d<\/p>\n This year\u2019s event was won by MTN-Qhubeka\u2019s Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, who went on to a superb international season that included victory in the Cycle Tour. Anriette Schoeman took the elite women\u2019s title for bizhub-FCF.<\/p>\n De Villiers said the Cansa Powerade Lost City Cycle Classic was the only other event to gain seeding status. \u201cThey do great things for the Cancer Association, so I\u2019m thrilled for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Enter the main event or 55km option online at www.cyclelab.com<\/a> before January 28.<\/p>\n![\"Reinhardt](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-96257500-1355232960.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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