Addo

The Eastern Cape Motor Group's vehicles are set to fly around the streets of Gqeberha and trails around Addo as it continues a proud legacy of giving The Herald Cycle Tour 'wheeels'. North End Sales Manager Dale Cuthbert, the group's tour coordinator, said the partnership fell in line with the company's drive to support local events while allowing it to showcase its cars to the perfect target audience. With its Ford range providing class-leading on and off-road options, he said the vehicles were well suited to the logistical requirements of 37th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour, which is hosted by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for the second year running. All in all, the ECMG has pledged 26 vehicles – including the Ranger, Everest and EcoSport – to be used by event organisers and officials for the mountain bike races and road events. "We will supply the lead vehicle and many support vehicles," confirmed Cuthbert. "Some well before the event to assist with preparation and logistics and many just prior to and on the day of the events." He said their vehicle line-up fits exceptionally well with the adventure and sporting lifestyles of participants. The Group started its lengthy partnership with the event in 1986 – the very first edition of the race. After a short break, the association was renewed in 2017. "We are looking to take this well into the future because we appreciate the significance of investing in the region," said Cuthbert. "As a largely Eastern Cape-based company, we are very proud and privileged to have the region as our foundation and base. "It's important for us to back our colleagues across the board, especially when The Herald Cycle Tour is a world-class event in every respect." Exceptional organisation, participants from all walks of life and across a range of ages were elements that made it stand out, according to Cuthbert. "This premier sporting event showcases our wonderful city and environs so well, it's always …

Gqeberha's Marco Joubert stamped his authority on the BDO Hayterdale Classic MTB Race early on to lay the foundation for a comfortable victory in the 40km feature event, which took place at Hayterdale Trails just outside Addo today. The 25-year-old professional romped home in 1:35:53 on an unforgiving course, followed by Sydney Strydom (1:40:31) and Adrian Oosthuizen (1:43:02). Joubert put his stamp on the race on Zuurberg Pass, which starts directly after the neutral zone. "I pretty much did an interval session to see where my form was," said the Imbuko-typeDev-Giant star, who is one of the pre-race favourites for the upcoming Cape Pioneer Trek. Two kilometres into the winding ascent he found himself on his own and he simply kept going to extend his lead all the way to the finish. "The win today has given me a real boost," he told the media afterwards. The route, which featured just short of 1 000m of elevation, took riders over similar terrain to that seen on the final day of the Great Zuurberg Trek and Joubert was suitably impressed. "Besides the trails, the infrastructure has developed so much over the years that it is the perfect place to spend a weekend. It's great riding and the off-the-bike hospitality is brilliant." Joubert also rode to victory in this year's Herald Cycle Tour Extreme MTB Race in the same area before finishing the Cape Epic as the first South African and eighth overall alongside Pieter du Toit, who will again partner him next week. In the women's race, Nicola Freitas (2:03:29) from Gqeberha faced a much stiffer challenge before eventually going clear of Juanita Mackenzie (2nd) and Anriette Schoeman (3rd) on a chilly morning. "I'm not as strong as them on the climbs," said the 28-year-old Action Cycles rider, who returned to this discipline of the sport following several years of triathlon racing. "With that start up the pass I knew it would be tough and my objective was to keep them in sight and not to let …

Teenager Patrige Chimwendo and the experienced Lexi Loizou sped to victory in the 18km feature events at the BDO Hayterdale Classic Trail Run just outside Addo on Saturday. The event, which was supported by 12km and 6km distances for intermediate and novice participants, started with the tough 6km ascent of the Zuurberg Pass. Nineteen-year-old Chimwendo, who matriculated from Alexander Road High in Gqeberha last year, crossed the line at Hayterdale Trails in the foothills of the mountain range in a time of 1:43:09. Delano Knoetze took second (1:54:43) ahead of Willem Schoeman (2:03:10). Although he has mostly concentrated on road running, Chimwendo has developed a taste for the trails and was impressed with what the route offered. "I've done some trail running in the past and have always enjoyed the experience," said the winner of last year's 12km Mountain Challenge at Crossways. "So when I get the opportunity I make sure to grab it. "It was the first time I have been in this region and it was good to discover these trails, which had plenty of variety. It was memorable." Chimwendo, who placed third in the U23 category at last year's South African duathlon championships, soon found himself in a small group at the head of affairs. "The course was quite steep from the outset, but I enjoyed the climb and was able to up my pace gradually, even though it got steeper and steeper," explained the Gqeberha runner. His relentless pace drew him clear of his opponents and saw him pass the first waterpoint after 7km one minute ahead of his closest challenger. "I didn't hear any time gaps after that but from that point on I was able to hold my pace, averaging about five-and-half-minutes per kilometre. "Towards the end, with about 2km to go, I decided to push a little harder to make sure I held my position." The former Alex pupil said he felt comfortable throughout as he was currently preparing for a training camp in Kenya. "I'm raising funds …