With a huge entry confirmed for the aQuellé Tour Durban on Sunday 24 April, organisers have confirmed that minor race route changes will improve the riding experience on the popular events by adding to the level of safety for the thousands of riders.
The 105 kilometer classic race route has settled on a format that is universally popular, starting with a trip down the Southern Freeway then up to Queensburgh and Pinetown before the fast descent to the Mngeni interchange that leads to the out-and-back loop to Mdloti that concludes with the loop finish at the Moses Mabhida stadium.
The recently resurfaced M19 descent from Pinetown to the uMngeni interchange is sure to be very popular with the 105km road race riders competing in the aQuellé Tour Durban 2016 on Sunday 24 April. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
Race route director Andrew Van Rensberg says the Mngeni Interchange will be safer and smoother this year now that the road construction has been completed, and is confident that the smooth, fast fly-off at Inanda Road will be popular with the racers.
“Much of that section has been recently resurfaced which will make for great, fast racing,” said Van Rensberg.
He urged riders to follow the directions of marshalls at the start of the climb up the M7 on Solomon Mahlangu Drive (Edwin Swales) where they will be directed to the right hand lane of the concrete road surface better suited to the road bikes.
“The concrete road surface is grooved in the direction that the riders will be riding, and some of these grooves have widened to the point that they are wide enough for a racing bikes tyre. That’s why we will be directing people into the right hand lane.” said Van Rensberg.
“A fantastic job has been done filling the sections of road that needed attention, which we are very grateful for,” he added.
The coastal sector up the M4 that benefitted for the recent resurfacing of the freeway received rave reviews from the riders, from the racing elites to the casual riders involved in the 45km Fun Ride, and will remain unchanged this year.
The 55km cyclocross race will also feature one minor change that will take the MTB enthusiasts to a new river crossing. Van Rensberg confirmed that a new route will take the riders slightly inland to an alternate low level bridge as the construction site used for previous river crossings had gone.
After getting rave reviews from riders last year, the resurfaced M4 coastal out-and-back route to Mdloti will be enjoyed by riders taking part in all three races at the aQuellé Tour Durban 2016 on Sunday 24 April. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
MTB riders who battled with the loose sand at one key stage of the cyclocross racer will be pleased to learn that this has been replaced with a firmer section of road thanks to the development under way in that area.
“We are excited to be in a place where we feel we have our optimal route,” said Van Rensberg. “The road surface is generally excellent throughout, which I know the riders will really appreciate.”
He added that the support from the Durban City Metro Police was superb, ensuring that the full road closure is enforced. Around 85 Metro police officers will be manning all the intersections with the race course, assisted by 185 Enforce Security marshalls. Each of the cluster commanders will be on duty in the race Venue Operation Centre to ensure the smooth execution of the road safety measures.
“Most of all we owe the people of the city a huge thank you for the positive way they have embraced this race,” said Van Rensberg. “It does require some forward planning and some patience, but generally Durbanites are proud of this race and the occasion it brings to the city.”
The 105km road race, 45km fun race and 55km cyclocross race take place on Sunday 24 April 2016. Late entries will be taken at registration at Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World from 10h00-18h00 on Friday, 22 and 10h00 to 17h00 Saturday, 23 April. More information can be found at www.tourdurban.co.za
Road closures and times for the 2016 aQuellé Tour Durban
Masabalala Yengwa (NMR): 05h30 -14h30
Margaret Mncadi Ave: 05h30-08h00
M4 South: 05h30-08h30
M7 Edwin Swales & M19 to Pinetown: 06h00-09h30
M19 Pinetown to Umgeni Road: 06h15-10h00
Inanda Road (Springfield Park): 06h30-10h15
Riverside Road: 06h30-10h30
M4 North & South bound from Argyle Road to Desainager Circle: 06h30-14h00
