![\"HCT](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-24490800-1354865242.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nPro cyclist John-Lee Augustyn (left) and Cyclo Pro\/GT representative Andrew Briggs (right) tackle the Slanghoogte climb on the new 106km Classic route for The Herald VW Cycle Tour, which takes place on February 3. <\/em><\/span><\/span>Photo: Coetzee Gouws\/Full Stop Communications<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMaitlands now becomes a climb on which a small group could consolidate their lead instead of trying to get away,\u201d said Augustyn.<\/p>\n \u201cIt gives them a chance to stay clear and foil the sprinters, so that\u2019s pretty interesting. I think it\u2019s going to mix things up a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n The 26-year-old felt the race now offered something for climbers like him, while still rewarding sprinters willing to do the hard yards.<\/p>\n He expected pro teams to send down a mix of climbers and sprinters as the route now gave them an alternative hand to play.<\/p>\n For the average rider, Augustyn\u2019s advice is to get fitter than in previous years.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you mix a bit of climbing in with your training and spin an easy gear, you\u2019ll definitely still be able to have a nice ride.<\/p>\n \u201cThe good thing is that all the climbs are in the first half. And then hopefully there\u2019ll be a westerly wind to push you back home.\u201d<\/p>\n Augustyn, who took the year off to recover from hip surgery following an injury sustained during the Tour of Poland a few years ago, said he anticipated 2013 being his comeback year.<\/p>\n One of only two South Africans to have competed in all three European grand tours, Augustyn said he had been contacted by several parties and was considering his future options.<\/p>\n The Herald\u2019s chief marketing officer Justin Peel said this would only be the second route change after a minor tweak in 1989.<\/p>\n \u201cAside from the racing aspect, Slanghoogte gives spectators the perfect spot to camp out for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n Peel said organisers had also created an Ultimate Quest category for riders who would like to participate in both the road and mountain bike feature races.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a challenge to cyclists all over the country to race the 80km Extreme on the Saturday and the 106km Classic the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n He said riders\u2019 combined times would reveal the strongest overall cyclist in the men\u2019s and women\u2019s categories with R5 000 going to each.<\/p>\n The organisers have also introduced the new 55km Pursuit to replace the 70km and 40km road races.<\/p>\n Another change is the addition of a 10km \u201csprint\u201d for 10 to 12 year olds on the Saturday to complement the existing 21km, 2km and 500m Powerade-sponsored events.<\/p>\n The overall prize purse of R114 000 makes it the richest race in the Eastern Cape and one lucky entrant will drive away in a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Trendline.<\/p>\n