After more than a year’s absence, the weather couldn’t be more perfect to welcome back the 43rd edition of the Cape Town Cycle Tour which kicked off on Sunday, October 10. The illustrious tour was cancelled on numerous occasions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, this year things would be a little different as the number of participants has been restricted to a maximum of 18 000. The event was originally scheduled for March but had to be moved back as hard lockdown restrictions kicked in.


Read also: Experience the magic of the Cape Town Cycle Tour from the comfort of your home


Western Cape premier Alan Winde mentioned to Cape {town} etc that the Cape Town Cycle Tour was the last event that the city hosted before the lockdown started.

“It was amazing standing u on the odium seeing the cyclist go off. It is a great symbol of saying guys let’s do it safely but we got to kick off the economy, let’s get the jobs back that we lost and I think the cycle tour symbolizes that for me,” Winde said.

Picture: Craig Kolesky

Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais, further mentioned that although we should recognise the damage that the COVID-19 pandemic caused to the industry, it is a huge excitement to have the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

” The last one was in 2019, we have been back and forth to get the event started again. I really enjoyed being back today,” Marais said.

Marais also reiterated that citizens should go and get vaccinated in order for spectators to be allowed at sporting events again.

” If it’s your own decision, please go and get vaccinated, we need everyone back in our stadiums and theatres again,” Marais added.

Race

Three-time champion Nolan Hoffman who lead the star-studded elite group secured his fourth Cape Town Cycle Tour victory with a strong finish at the end. Hoffman, who leads the ENZA team previously won the race in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

Meanwhile, Kim Le Court secured a first-place finish in the elite women’s category with a time of 02:12:36.6. This is Le Court’s second Cape Town Cycle Tour victory, 4 years after her first.

Catch more of all the live action over here: https://www.facebook.com/cycletour

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Picture: Craig Kolesky

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