LOCAL RIDES
Takealot Jock Classic
One of SA’s oldest races, and widely
accepted as South Africa’s toughest
single-day cycling challenge, the Jock
follows a tough out-and-back route from
Mbombela (Nelspruit) in three stages that
travel via White River and Sabie. The 2019
edition – set for 13 July – will cover
a distance of 150km and includes 2 900m
of ascent as it takes in some of the area’s
most back-breaking climbs, including
Spitskop and the Long Tom Pass.
www.thejock.co.za
A UCI AfricaTour 2.2 stage race for professional cycling teams, this
four-day race starts at Bela Bela and follows the roads of Limpopo
to Polokwane, and to Tzaneen, Coach House and then back to
Polokwane. Open to a maximum of 20 teams of six riders and three
support crew, it includes full accommodation and catering as
it showcases the province as an adventure tourism destination.
The 3rd edition will take place from 12-17 May 2020.
www.tourdelimpopo.co.za
Rainmaker
RollerCoaster
The 2nd edition of this
seven-day gravel adventure
takes place from 5-11
October 2019. Riders start
in Swellendam, then the
route takes them through
Riversdale, Calitzdorp,
Oudtshoorn and Uniondale
before delivering them to
the coast at Plettenberg
Bay. The adventure package
includes meals and
overnight accommodation
in tented villages. Stages
range between 53–113km
in length and include some
challenging mountain
climbs. Entrants can choose
to race as a team of two,
or just to ‘ride and survive’
in a small group led by a
HotChillee Ride Captain.
www.hotchillee.com
44 | TO U R
D E F R A NC E 2019
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tour de Limpopo