Roads closed for cycling
2007-06-28
THE roads around Wellington will be closed this afternoon and tomorrow for cyclists from around 60 nations competing in the 2007 UCI B World Championships, a qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The six day event in Cape Town includes the Time Trial section in Wellington today and tomorrow, when the R45 between Paarl and Malmesbury will be closed from the R44 to the Lady Loch Road.
This afternoon from 13:00 to 15:00 the R45 will be closed at times from the R44 four-way stop to the Lady Loch north turn-off.
Tomorrow, the R45 will be closed all day up to the Lady Loch south turnoff.
Further sections to the Paardeberg turn-off, the Lady Loch Road itself, the Haaskraal road and Katryntjiesdrift Road will be closed at times.
Also affected will be the R44 between Paardeberg-road and the R45 for warm-ups tomorrow.
The traffic department thanked the people of Wellington, in advance, for their co-operation.
For more information on the 2007 UCI B World Championship go to www.ucibworlds.co.za or call 021-686-3333.
The Individual Time Trial is often called the “Race of Truth” as one person races on their own, against the clock.
“There is no peleton to allow for drafting, no team mates to assist through a bad patch and no tactics,” explains Alec Lenferna, event director.
“It is simply a head down, leg pumping drive from start to finish - with no let up if there is any desire to take the win. The fastest person on the clock wins – it’s that simple!”
This obviously makes for great spectator viewing as you watch rider after rider tackle the same course against the clock. There is a ‘clean’ circuit dedicated to this Olympic qualifying event, which means a full road closure, on the R45 and Lady Loch Roads in Wellington.
The time trial for women covers a distance of 14,1km and the action begins at 12 noon.
The men tackle a slightly longer route of 26.8 km and they start racing from 13:30 – with all the action expected to be over by 16:35.
The prize-giving will be held immediately afterwards, presided over and officiated by the Mayor of Drakenstein.
“In addition to it being an ideal location, in respect to a perfect undulating circuit, the magnificent scenery will be showcased during our television coverage,” says Lenferna.
This is the first international cycling event to be held here.
According to Maaywah Moerat of the Drakenstein Municipality, a great deal of co-operation has been required from various departments to ensure that this event is a success.
“In order to conform to the very exacting international standards required, we have brought all the stakeholders on board from the start,” he explains.
“From the fire, traffic and tourism departments through to the local police, neighbourhood watch and sports’ councils. In addition we have a big volunteer programme in place to assist with the road closures and route control.
This six day event sees cyclists competing in three disciplines: track at the Bellville Velodrome, individual time trials in Wellington and the Individual Road Race around the Peninsula.
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