Perhaps as a result of the heavy ambulance/medical insurance bill from Stavelot, the following media report was released during the Pro World Champs in Copenhagen (and not by Mark De Castro)
“Msunduzi Road Challenge (South Africa) scoops 2012 final of UCI World Cycling Tour
Cycling South Africa pulled off a another major coup by winning the rights to stage final of the 2012 UCI World Cycling Tour in Pietermaritzburg.
The announcement was made at the International Cycling Federation (UCI) Management Committee meeting in Copenhagen on Wednesday, attended by Cycling SA President Greg Till and the event director of the Msunduzi Road Challenge Alec Lenferna.
Till said after the announcement that the awarding of the rights to host the final of the 2012 World Cycling Tour, formerly known as the Master Road World Championships followed the successful hosting of the UCI MTB World Cup and the BMX World Champs in Pietermaritzburg, entrenching the city’s status as a global cycling mecca.”
It does indicate the Gran Fondo leanings of the Champs, as they’re advertising that the top 25% of finishers from the qualifiers will make the final. 80 have already qualified in my age group from Melbourne last week.
Now, if only they get the date right (school holidays) and I win Lotto…
I think that’s good news. Maybe there’ll be less of those pesky european ex pros, and less wet cobblestoney steep descents. Look forward to seeing the route and profile… a little jump across the indian briney could be on the cards..
For those who have a birthday next year and are about to go up to a new age group, I’ve added the map and profile for our more mature age groups. The roads will be a bit straighter than Belgium and a lot smoother than Timor.
The younger groups have a 126 km course for the qualifier this year – presumably the same courses for the finals. Like the look of that profile.
Condition 1: birthday next year – tick
Condition 2: move up to new age group (aka mature ++) – tick
Condition 3: finish in top 10% – nya 🙁
Condition 3 = finish in top 25% – youbetya.
The UCI/WCT want bigger fields (especially in the women’s age groups) in the final, so they’ve relaxed the qualification standards. SPR could have a much bigger “team” attending the final/riding for rainbow jerseys etc. if people make it their goal for 2012.
Not much fun for the flatlanders amongst us Gents.
The first 4 km and the last 4 km are flat.
i can lead you out for the 1st 4 kms then 🙂
Will there be a bus between the two then Mike?
It’s called the Broomwagon
😉 Nicer way to enjoy the scenery
Will it have a mini bar with something other than sports drinks?
Seriously though, how many metres of climbing?
The map says 50.99 km so I guess that doesn’t mean vertical climbing (just that you are going up for nearly half of the race).
The website for the qualifying event – which will probably be a similar format to the final – is here: http://www.msunduziroadchallenge.co.za/
So on the upside there’s also 50km downhill. How many welshpool rd repeats is that? 10 or 12?
Pietermaritzburg is a great cycling area. I’ve done two races there many years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed both. One was on the Comrades marathon route from Pmb to Durban – spectacular route (almost as good as Cape Town).
If the organization of the Argus Cycle Tour and Comrades Marathon are anything to go by, it should be a great event.
I could seriously be tempted…