The five-day Bestmed Tour of Good Hope will up the ante once more when they present the richest time-trial in South African cycling for the second year running later this month.
ASG, who own the Cycling South Africa-sanctioned event, just announced an extension of their partnership with Paarl-based Buffet Olives, who will again float the prize-money for the time-trial stage.
The well-known Boland brand partnered with the tour for the first time last year, awarding a cash purse of R50 000 to the stage winners.
With the country’s premier road stage race again featuring a race against the clock, the relationship was extended and the prize-money increased to R55 000.
“Our farm is based in the Paarl region and it is a great opportunity to link our brand with the beautiful environment through which this event takes place,” said Richard Allen, CEO of Cape Olive Products.
According to event organiser Wynand de Villiers, the aim of the time-trial prize was to draw attention to an exciting but often-underrated discipline within the sport.
“The tour stretches over five days and more than 500km and can essentially be won or lost in just 27km of racing.”
He said former double winner of the tour, Nic Dougall, was a case in point. “He won the time-trial on both occasions to take the lead and was able to defend it all the way to the finish.”
Two-time defending women’s champion Ariane Kleinhans, who will be riding for Team Spur-Specialised this year, said last week that she believed the individual time-trial on day two could be the most decisive stage of the 2016 edition.
De Villiers said the prize-money would be split between the various categories of professional and amateur riders.
Riders and their families could look forward to several activities during the tour.
The race starts on Monday February 29.
Visit www.tourofgoodhope. co.za or find the race on Facebook and Twitter.
