As the vibrant city of Cape Town readies itself for one of its premier sporting events, thousands of cyclists are set to descend upon the Mother City for the annual Cape Town Cycle Tour on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
The eagerly anticipated race, renowned as the ‘World’s Largest Timed Cycle Race,’ will see participants traverse a picturesque 109km route, showcasing the stunning landscapes that Cape Town has to offer, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This year, not only will the iconic long route take centre stage, but the event will also feature a 42km short route commencing at the Grand Parade and concluding at Riebeek, a perfect fit for cycling enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Whether seasoned competitors or weekend riders, the event promises an exhilarating experience for all involved.
To ensure the safety of cyclists and the general public alike, a series of road closures will be implemented both on the day of the race and the day prior.
These closures, which will begin on Saturday, 7 March, will extend into Sunday, creating a secure environment for participants and spectators.
The closure times and streets are as follows:
- Sunday, 8 March 2026:
- Strand & Newmarket between Adderley & Russel – 04h00 – 16h00
- Buitenkant between Darling & Caledon – 04h00 – 12h00
- Sir Lowry between Christiaan Barnard & Canterbury – 04h00 – 09h00
- Hanover between Tennant & Darling – 04h00 – 09h00
- Adderley (From Strand & Riebeek) – 07h00 – 16h00
- Adderley (From Fountain Circle & Strand) – 07h00 – 16h00
- Riebeek between Adderley & Buitengracht (Full Closure) – 07h00 – 16h00
- Long (closed at Riebeek) – 07h00 – 16h00
- Loop (closed at Riebeek) – 07h00 – 16h00
- Somerset (one lane closure between Buitengracht & Ebenezer) – 10h00 – 15h00
- Darling between Adderley & Lower Plein – 04h00 – 12h00
- Lower Plein between Strand and Darling – 04h00 – 12h00
- Saturday, 7 March 2026:
- Castle Street between Strand Street & Darling Street – Sat, 14h00 – Sun, 16h00
- Darling Street between Lower Plein & Buitenkant Street – Sat, 15h00 – Sun, 12h00
- Corporation Street between Darling Street & Caledon Street – Sat, 15h00 – Sun, 12h00
- Parade Street between Darling Street & Caledon Street – Sat, 15h00 – Sun, 12h00
- Strand Street & Newmarket Street between Russel Street & Lower Plein Street – Sat, 21h00 – Sun, 16h00
- Nelson Mandela Boulevard incoming Strand Street off-ramp – Sat, 19h00 – Sun, 16h00
- Phillip Kgosana Drive (M3) outbound between Roodebloem and Hospital Bend – 05h30 – 12h30
- Nelson Mandela Boulevard (N2) City-outbound carriageway only – 05h30 – 12h30
Additionally, the day will be filled with spirited music and timely announcements aimed at both participants and spectators, creating an electrifying atmosphere from 05h30 until 14h00.
This year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, as both local and international cyclists compete in pursuit of personal bests and overall glory.
As the weekend approaches, residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly in light of the road closures.
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Also read:
Why the Cape Town Cycle Tour continues to capture global attention
Picture: Sam Clark / CTCTT
