Excitement and anticipation continues to build as the preparation for Cycling South Africa’s inclusion into the UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) this October continues to gain momentum.

The unique concept of this mass-participation road event serves a dual purpose, and is expected to draw considerable interest from cycling enthusiasts from all over the country: on the one hand, enthusiasts can cycle the new event as they would any other road race; and on the other hand, interested and seasoned competitors can test their speed and qualify for the one-off UWCT Final in 2012, previously known as the UCI Masters Road World Championships.

Pietermaritzburg and its surrounds are gearing up once again to welcome cycling enthusiasts this spring. The road race routes offer participants the choice of entering 180km, 111km or 90km distances, with the Time Trial distance set at 27km. Go on, Experience the Msunduzi Road Challenge, because THIS IS BIG and it’s happening right here in South Africa!

Entries for the Msunduzi Road Challenge open on Monday 1 August 2011 with the online entry closing date set at 30 September 2011, and entries will be done through CyclingSA’s website http://www.cyclingsa.com. Early bird entries will score as the first 2500 entries are guaranteed a sample bag! Late entries will be accepted until Friday 21 October, but will incur the additional nominal charge of R50.

Event Information:

Date: Saturday 29th October to Sunday 30th October 2011
Venue: Alexander Park, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal (Subject to final sign off by Msunduzi Municipality)
Distances and Age Categories: Road Race (Qualifiers for the UWCT Final must enter as per their age category below – all comers can enter any distance they wish)
Men – 16-29 / 30-34 / 35-39 / 40-44 / 45-49 = 180km

Men – 50-54 / 55-59 / 60-64 = 111km

Men – 65+ = 90km

Women – 30-34 / 35-39 / 40-44 / 45-49 = 111km

Women – 50-54 / 55-59 / 60-64 / 65+ = 90km

Distance: Time Trial
All – 27km

Entry Fees:
Road Race – R200 ($ 30.00 or € 25.00)

Time Trial – R120 ($ 20.00 or € 15.00)

Start Times: To Be Confirmed
Further detailed information about the Msunduzi Road Challenge can be found on the event website by visiting http://www.msunduziroadchallenge.co.za. Online entries open on Monday 1 August 2011 on http://www.cyclingsa.com - start training to be part of another great CyclingSA event.