Cycling South Africa confirms the calendar dates and provinces that will be hosting the South African National Championship events for 2018. Please see the table of dates and venues of each event below.
Western Cape Cycling is proud to present the 2018 SA National Road Championships, with the support of Eden Cycling, in Oudtshoorn from 6-11 February. The first two days are for the Time Trial, which takes place on a 14.6-kilometre circuit. Road Races begin on day three, and cover distances of 52.8km to 154.8km (depending on your category). The main attraction of the Elite, U23 and Junior Men and Women’s races will take place on the Saturday and not on the last day of the event as previously done, due to the African Continental Championships that begin in Rwanda on 13 February and run until the 18th. For more information, click here: https://www.edencycling.co.za/2018-sa-national-road-time-trial-champs/
The SA MTB XCO Championships for all categories takes place in Bloemfontein, Free State, this year at the Happy Valley Conservancy on Saturday 21 July 2018. The Downhill and Marathon Championships dates are yet to be confirmed. BMX competitors take to the track in KwaZulu-Natal on 7 October 2018 for their National Championships. The venue is to be determined. Closing out the year, the Track cyclists will compete for National Championships prestige on 11 December 2018 for the SA National Omnium Championships. Following the Omnium, the SA National Track Championships will run from 11-16 December 2018, taking place in Bellville in the Western Cape.
There are numerous other UCI-rated events taking place throughout the course of the year, which are not part of the National Championships.
- The MTB XCO Cup Series: There will be four mountain bike cross-country events around the country which form part of the SA MTB XCO Cup Series, each featuring a UCI category 1 rating for Elite and Junior Men and Women. Juniors will also be able to earn valuable UCI points as two of the four instalments of the series form part of the UCI Junior World XCO Series. The Series kicks off on 3 February 2018, with round two at Thaba Trails in Gauteng on 31 March, round three is at Cascades MTB Park in KwaZulu-Natal, while the fourth and final round is at Mankele Bike Park in Mpumalanga.
- Momentum Health Attakwas Extreme presented by Biogen: Part of the UCI MTB Marathon Series, the “Attakwas Extreme” allows riders to qualify for UCI MTB Marathon World Championships, whether they are selected or not. The top 25% of finishers qualify to participate in the World Champs. This event carries a UCI Marathon Class 3 rating and has been the season starter for a few years now, and will get the blood pumping in Oudtshoorn on 20 January 2018.
- TransCape: The seven-day TransCape will take riders on a mountain biking journey over 614km taking intrepid adventurers from the picturesque Garden Route town of Knysna to Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. The TransCape is rated UCI Class S2 Stage Race and takes place from 4-10 February.
- Momentum Health Tankwa Trek presented by Biogen: Taking place in Ceres, the three-day Tankwa Trek is rated UCI Class S1 Stage Race and is held from 9-11 February. Winding through the beautiful Bokkeveld and Witzenburg areas, this race covers a total distance of 265km.
- UCI MTB World Cup #1: Heading to South African shores for the opening round of the UCI World Cup Series, cross-country fans will watch the world’s best battle it out in Stellenbosch. Only Elite and U23 riders are eligible to enter, and entry information can be obtained by contacting Dellah Paul by email dellah@cyclingsa.com. Be sure to watch the action on 10 March.
- ABSA Cape Epic: The eight-day Cape Epic carries a UCI SHC Stage Race rating. From the majestic slopes of Table Mountain to the magnificence of the Grand Finale at Val de Vie Estate with the addition of a manic time trial in between – the 2018 Absa Cape Epic route is balanced and bold and untamed. The total distance of 658km will be covered by competitors from 18-25 March.
- 100 Cycle Challenge: Starting and ending at Germiston Lake in Gauteng on Sunday, 6 May, the 100 Cycle Challenge has been granted UCI Category 1.2 status for Elite and U23 Men and Women. The 100 Cycle Challenge is open to anybody over the age of 15, irrespective of whether you are a high-flying professional or a dedicated amateur or an ardent weekend cyclist.
- Momentum Health Cape Pioneer Trek presented by Biogen: This UCI Class S2 Stage Race takes place from 14-20 October in Oudtshoorn. From the arid desertscapes of the Groot Karoo and the aboriginal forests of the Garden Route, the Cape Pioneer has it all. Competitors race a distance of 496km over seven days.
- Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge: The world’s second-largest timed cycle race in Johannesburg carries a UCI 1.1 rating for Elite Women. Participants race over 94km through the streets of Johannesburg. The 2018 edition takes place on 18 November.
Visit our APP to apply for or update your membership and/or racing license, as well as to enter these great events: https://www.cyclingsa-events.co.za/app/.
