Four formidable riders from Winspace Cycles SA gear up for the challenging Maluti Double 90-cycle race

The Maluti Double 90 Powered by Biogen is set to take place in Clarens on Saturday, 15 April 2023, and the cycling world is abuzz with excitement. This team time trial covers a grueling 180 km and is limited to 120 teams. With a reputation for being one of the toughest cycle races in South Africa, this event is not for the faint-hearted.

Adding to the excitement, Winspace Cycles SA has announced that several of their Several athletes will be competing on their Winspace bicycles, including Gareth Greer on the Winspace G2, Matthew Greer on the Winspace G2, Bart Visser on the Winspace G2, Walter Gahler on the Winspace T1500, Innocent Chibvongodze on the Winspace T1500, Rudi van Heerden on the Winspace SLC 2.0, Martin Roediger on the Winspace SLC 2.0, Tony Lamberti on the Winspace SLC 2.0, Manie Redelinghuys, Cayla Viljoen, Ethan van den Berg, and Liezel Meyer, are all set to tackle this challenge on their high-performance Winspace Cycles.

Teams can enter up to 12 riders per team, with categories determined by the first six riders from each team that cross the finish line, rather than the way they were entered. To receive an official team result, teams must have at least six finishers, and all team members must ride with RaceTec timing chips.

Teams can enter one of three categories: Female, Mixed, or Open (any combination of gender). Female teams may have only women starting in their team, while mixed teams require a minimum of three female riders to finish within the first six riders of the team to be eligible for the first place prize. Open teams may consist of male riders only, or teams with fewer than three female riders.

The start and finish of the race will be at the President Square in Clarens, with the route taking teams from Clarens to Bethlehem, following the R26 before turning onto the undulating R714 towards Warden and Eenzaamheid. From there, it’s a right turn onto the R57 towards Kestell before the last stretch on the R712, which includes a tough hilly section through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The route is generally undulating, with some steep and tough hills in the last 40 km.

Teams will start with 30-second intervals, and have up to 10 hours to complete the event. A cut-off will be implemented at the Team Support Zone in Kestell (107 km), with additional cut-offs possible en route. Teams’ times will ‘keep ticking’ while they refuel at the Team Support Zone, with no “time-out” period.

Teams will be seeded prior to the event, with start times published on the website beforehand. The event promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with teams encouraged to put in the training miles, taking into consideration the average altitude of roughly 1900m and elevation gain of over 2200m for the event.

In conclusion, the Maluti Double 90 Powered by Biogen is a must-see event for any cycling enthusiast, and with Winspace Cycles SA’s riders in the mix, it promises to be an unforgettable experience.

But one thing is for sure – this event is not to be missed.

Important Race Information for Participants in the Maluti Double 90 Cycle Race

Entry Fees and Other Details for the Maluti Double 90 Cycle Race

The Maluti Double 90 Cycle Race is fast approaching and teams from all over South Africa are gearing up to participate in this exciting event. If you haven’t entered your team yet, now is the time to do so. Early bird entry fees are valid until 13 January 2023 at 13h00. PPA Members can enter for R9 500, while non-members will pay R10 000. Normal entry fees will be R10 000 for PPA Members and R10 500 for non-members.

Team administrators will be able to add the names of team members and manage their teams on the Team Admin page. However, the ability to add or make changes to your team has closed. All substitutions will need to be done at Number Collection on Friday, 14 April 2023.

It is crucial that teams list their riders correctly, as teams will be disqualified for not doing so. The onus is on the team captain to ensure that the Events Office has been notified of any changes. No rider may be changed or substituted on the day of the event.

Team captains or a team representative must collect the team’s race numbers and rider information at the Protea Hotel in Clarens on Friday, 15 April 2023, from 12h00-18h00. Teams must follow the correct substitution procedure, and a R200 admin fee will be payable for each substitute rider and/or late addition and/or amendment to a team. Teams who do not follow the correct substitution procedure may face disqualification of the whole team.

All team members must wear a RaceTec chip, which is to be worn around the ankle or mounted to a bicycle wheel using the official bike mount, during the event. If you do not own a RaceTec chip, you will need to purchase one at Number Collection. The timing chip stores important details and is linked to your unique personal profile, giving the organisers real-time access to your personal info in the event of an emergency.

Cycle World from Bethlehem will have a mechanic on standby at Number Collection to assist with any last-minute problems, and they will also have some spares for sale. The Protea Hotel Clarens will serve a sit-down buffet of pasta and salads on the Friday night before the race, and you may opt for a takeaway meal.

Please book directly with Protea Hotel. Get ready for an exciting and challenging race, and we’ll see you at the start line!

PRIZES

Prize Categories for the Maluti Double 90 Cycling Event

The Maluti Double 90 cycling event will feature three categories of competition: Open, Mixed, and Female. Each category will have prizes awarded to the top three finishing teams. All participants who successfully complete the event will receive a medal.

In the Open category, the first-place team will receive a prize of R17,000, with R10,000 going to the second-place team and R5,000 going to the third-place team. An Open Team may consist of male riders only or teams with fewer than 3 female riders. Teams with single bikes and tandems combined, or teams comprising only tandems, will be given an official team time but will not be eligible for any team prizes. Teams with fewer than 6 riders are welcome to participate but will not receive an official team result.

In the Mixed category, a minimum of 3 females need to finish within the first 6 riders of the team, failing to do so will result in the team being classified as an Open Team. The first-place team in the Mixed category will receive a prize of R17,000, with R10,000 going to the second-place team and R5,000 going to the third-place team. To be eligible for team prizes in this category, there must be at least 5 mixed teams competing.

In the Female category, the first-place team will receive a prize of R17,000, with R10,000 going to the second-place team. Women’s teams may only have women starting in their team, and the team may have any number between 6 and 12 riders. To be eligible for team prizes in this category, there must be at least 5 teams competing.

Team categories will be determined by the first 6 riders from each team that crosses the finish line, not according to the way team members have been entered. Teams must have 6 finishers to receive an official team result, and all team members must ride with RaceTec timing chips. In the event of a protest, the team(s) under investigation will not participate in the Prize Giving Ceremony, and no prizes will be awarded until the issue is resolved. The Protest committee will endeavor to resolve all protests before prize giving. Teams with fewer than 6 riders are welcome to participate but will not receive an official team result.

The Maluti Double 90 Powered by Biogen route

The Maluti Double 90 Powered by Biogen is a challenging route that requires participants to be physically fit and mentally prepared. The route starts gently with mild undulating hills from Clarens to Bethlehem. However, teams should exercise caution at the left turn onto the N5 towards Bethlehem as heavy traffic, including trucks, can be expected on this road. Teams are requested to ride in single file from this turn until Bethlehem.

After exiting Bethlehem on the R26, there is a water point where participants can refuel and restock their energy levels with some banana loaf, bananas, potatoes, and sweets. The route then follows the undulating R716 past farmlands towards Warden and Eenzaamheid, offering a good road shoulder for teams to get into pacelines and post some good speeds.

The second water point is roughly 70 km from the start, just before turning right at the four-way stop onto the R57 towards Kestell. Water and Coke will be provided here, and teams can continue on the R57, which offers a good road shoulder and undulating hills, allowing teams to maintain good speeds. However, the undulating terrain may start to take its toll on participants, and they will have to dig deep to maintain a good average speed in order to make the cut-off at Kestell.

In Kestell, teams will meet up with their Team Support Vehicles at the official Team Support Zone, in front of the local Kestell Hotel. Supporters and spectators can find breakfast, light meals, and cold beer for sale here. However, team support vehicles are not allowed to follow teams along the route, and teams found to be doing so may be disqualified. There is a cut-off at 11h45 for teams to arrive at the Team Support Zone, and teams that miss this cut-off will not be able to continue as the event cut-off (16h45 in Clarens) will not be reached in time.

There will be a 30-minute “time out” at the Team Support Zone in Kestell, where the team’s clock will stop once the 6th rider of the team crosses the first timing mat at the team support zone. The team’s time will start again as soon as the first rider of the team crosses the 2nd timing mat at the exit of the Team Support Zone.

Some stats of the route include an elevation gain of 2220m over the 180 km distance, with the highest point in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park at 2050m above sea level. The steepest gradient is the Mine Shaft, which has a gradient of 22% at roughly the 155 km mark.

Image From Maluti Double 90

Maluti Double 90 GPX File

Maluti Double 90 – Route – GPXDownload

Cut-off Points • Kestell – Teams must arrive at the Team Support Zone by 11:30 AM. • Waterpoint 5 – Teams must reach this point by 3:30 PM. • Finish line – The event cut-off is at 4:45 PM in Clarens.

Refreshment and Feeding Stations Refreshment Stations (Water & Coke): • WP1: Located just outside Bethlehem at 40 km mark. • WP3: Located between Puthaditjaba and Golden Gate Highlands National Park at the 125 km mark. • WP4: Located inside Golden Gate Highlands National Park at the 148 km mark.

Feeding Stations (Water, Coke and Some Food): • WP2: Located just before the right turn to Kestell at the 70 km mark. • WP5: Located at Red Mountains Lookout in Golden Gate Highlands National Park at the 153 km mark.

Road Closures • Clarens Main Road will be partially closed for the start and finish. • Blignaut Street in Kestell (Team Support Zone) will be closed for support vehicles from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Support and Spectator Zones Please support the riders at the official Team Support Zone in Kestell. The Team Support Zone will be located in Blignaut Street in front of the Kestell Hotel, where spectators and supporters can purchase cold beers, cooldrinks, coffee, and light meals.

TEAM SUPPORT AND SPECTATOR ZONE

Cut-off Point: Kestell – 11h30 (to arrive at the Team Support Zone)

Riders are only allowed to receive assistance or feed from their team vehicle at the Team Support Zone in Kestell. Support vehicles are not permitted to follow their teams along the route and may only provide assistance at the Kestell Team Support Zone, accessible via N5.

Time Out: A 30-minute “time out” will be enforced at the Team Support Zone in Kestell. The team’s clock will stop once the 6th rider of the team crosses the first timing mat at the team support zone. The team’s time (and the individual times of all riders in the team) will start again as soon as the first rider of the team crosses the timing mat at the exit of the Kestell team support zone. If no one has crossed the exit mat within 30 minutes of entering the team support zone, the clock will start adding to the final result.

Team Support Crew: It is the responsibility of the team captains and support crews to know the demarcated Team Support Zone. Teams may face disqualification should a support crew be found supporting their teams anywhere but at the official Team Support Zone. A zero-tolerance approach will be taken to ensure safety.

Kestell Hotel: The Kestell Hotel will be open for business and will sell light refreshments to support the vehicle crew. The toilets at the Kestell Hotel will be open to Maluti Double 90 participants.

Spectator Support: Please support the riders at the official Team Support Zone in Kestell. Cold beers, cool drinks, coffee, and light meals will be available for spectators and supporters to purchase in Blignaut Street in front of the Kestell Hotel.

Team Support Vehicles route to Kestell:

Image From Maluti Double 90

Spectator Info

Please note that spectators may not follow riders along the route from Clarens via Bethlehem.

Spectator and team support vehicles will be allowed to travel from Clarens to the Team Support Zone via the R712 from Clarens to Bethlehem (39 km), and the N5 to Kestell (73 km in total).

The first finishers are expected back at President’s Square at roughly 12h30.

Winspace Cycles SA

The Maluti Double 90 upcoming cycling event in South Africa is set to see some impressive riders take part, including Gareth Greer, Innocent Chibvongodze, Bart Visser, and Tony Lamberti. These riders will be taking on the challenging course with their top-of-the-line Winspace bicycles.

The Winspace brand offers three different types of bikes, each designed for a specific purpose. The T1500 is built for speed and is perfect for serious cyclists and professional racers. Its aerodynamic design, lightweight materials, and stiffness make it a top choice for those who want to go fast.

On the other hand, the G2 bike is designed for adventure. With its progressive geometry and clearance for up to 50mm tires, it’s a versatile choice for both gravel racers and road cyclists. Its optimized frame provides stability and comfort on a range of terrains, making it an excellent choice for any adventure.

Finally, the SLC2.0 is tailor-made for conquering mountains. This bike is incredibly lightweight and boasts ultra layup technology, ensuring that every ounce of power is transferred with maximum efficiency. Its asymmetric chainstays and bottom bracket make it perfect for robust climbers, while its choice of direct mount rim brakes or flat mount disc brakes provide riders with confidence and control.

With these top-of-the-line Winspace bicycles, the riders taking part in this event are sure to put on an impressive show. The T1500, G2, and SLC2.0 are all expertly engineered to perform at an elite level, giving these riders the edge they need to take on this challenging course.

Visit Winspace Cycles SA