Latest news with #CapeTownCycleTour
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Amashova Classic defending champion S'annara Grove seals dramatic win at the line
Amashova Classic women's 106km race winner S'annara Grove (centre) is flanked by second-place finisher Lisa Bone (left) and third cyclist home, Lucy Young at Sunday's prize-giving ceremony at Suncoast Casino in Durban. Image: Supplied S'annara Grove battled brutal winds and needed a bike throw at the line to fend off the challenge of Lisa Bone in a dramatic sprint finish in the 106km women's race at the Amashova National Classic on Sunday. The CJ O'Shea Racing rider defended her title in the iconic race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, clocking a time of 2:48:49. Men's race winner Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (2:16:55) also relied on a sprint finish to secure his first Amashova title, though his race unfolded with far less drama. Amashova National Classic 2025 men's race winner Reinardt Janse van Rensburg. Image: Suppiled 'It was a windy day. Normally in winter we get a nice westerly blowing, which would have meant a nice tailwind for the Amashova. But today we actually got a bit annihilated by a north-easter, which is a bit unusual for winter,' Grove told Independent Media Sport at the finish at Suncoast Casino in Durban. 'It made it difficult to be very aggressive on the hills. When we got to Inchanga, it was always my plan to go to the front, make things hard, and try to break the field up so I didn't have to deal with attacks from too many riders from different teams. It was quite difficult with the headwind. 'I think I joked a few times that the girls were saving quite a few watts on my wheel, but it still broke up the field enough and we came through Inchanga with just five riders. Then we hit the M13, got annihilated with the wind, and really had to fight our way down there.' Grove admitted she may have launched her final sprint too early. Despite that, she was able to call on her track experience to edge Bone at the line. 'It was very close. I haven't had a sprint that tight since the Cape Town Cycle Tour in 2024. It was decided on the throw of the line. I'm glad I have a lot of track experience — I'm quite good at throwing for the line,' said Grove, a Durban rider for whom the Amashova holds a special place. Lucy Young rounded out the top three, with the leading trio sharing the same time. Janse van Rensburg also needed a late sprint to hold off Travis Stedman (2:16:56), while Emile van Niekerk finished third in 2:18:10. 'It was a nice race — quite fast from the start. Me and Travis got away just after the halfway mark. From there it was really fast to the finish, quite a lot of downhills, but we worked well together,' said Janse van Rensburg, whose best previous Amashova result was third place in 2008. 'The two of us came to the finish together, and you never know in a sprint finish with two riders how it's going to go. Travis has a good kick, so I didn't know what would happen until the last moment — very happy to take it.' Rising star Josh Johnson claimed victory in the under-19 division.
The Citizen
26-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
PICTURES: Baboons and humans clash in urban Kommetjie
In Cape Town the coexistence of humans and Chacma baboons in urban areas, particularly in villages like Kommetjie, has led to increasing tensions and conflicts. A mother Chacma baboon runs across the road with her baby in search of their sleep site while a gathered crowd of affected Kommetjie residents stand in protest to baboons living in the urban space. Despite efforts under the City of Cape Town's 'Baboon Strategic Management Plan', which involves tracking, educating residents, and reducing baboon harm, hostilities between baboons and humans, including attacks on pets and property damage, continue to rise. The presence of baboons, who forage and sleep within urban spaces, has divided the community, pitting animal rights activists against frustrated residents. A recent survey of Kommetjie residents revealed that 55 percent have daily encounters with baboons, 85 percent have had baboons enter their homes, and 83 percent have altered their lifestyles to avoid conflict. However, with no alternative plans in place, the struggle between maintaining baboon welfare and ensuring human safety remains unresolved. Photographer Alan van Gysen, from Matrix Images, is documenting the situation. A sticker on the back of a Kommetjie resident's vehicle. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images Kommetjie residents chase habituated, wild baboons from entering the central business area. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images Kommetjie residents protest against the inaction of authorities with regard to habituated baboons who occupy the urban space in Kommetjie. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images A habituated wild baboon eats from a takeaway carton, while raiding a City of Cape Town municipal bin in Cape Town. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images The alpha male baboon Kataza of the Klein Slangkop troop on the Cape Town peninsula forages in the garden of a Kommetjie home. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images A baboon monitor follows habituated wild baboons making their way through traffic and residential homes en route to their regular sleep site. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images A Chacma baboon walks towards a shop in Kommetjie. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images Kataza, an alpha male Chacma baboon, of the Klein Slangkop troop forages in a reidential garden. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images A baboon monitor radios in coordinates of the Klein Slangkop baboon troop to head office on the Slangkop Mountain above Kommetjie. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images Two juvenile Chacma baboons play on the roof of a home. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images A nursing mother Chacma baboon forages through unsecured bins behind Kommetjie's central commercial area. Picture: Alan van Gysen / Matrix Images PICTURES: Is the Cape Town Cycle Tour the world's most beautiful race?
Zawya
07-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Cape Town Cycle Tour's economic impact surpasses $28mln annually: How local businesses benefit?
The Cape Town Cycle Tour, taking place this Sunday, 9 March 2025, is more than just a premier sporting event—it's a vital economic driver for the city. Each year, the influx of participants and spectators brings a significant boost to local businesses, generating millions in revenue. From hotels and restaurants to small vendors, the increased foot traffic presents a valuable opportunity for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their visibility and grow their sales. As Cape Town prepares to welcome thousands of visitors, the impact of the event extends far beyond the race, supporting a thriving local economy. Last year's event saw an estimated 15,000 visitors generating an economic injection in excess of R500m, with sectors such as hospitality, retail, and transport among those that benefitted as many businesses reported record sales over the 2024 race weekend. Those offering seamless payment solutions and digital customer engagement tools were undoubtedly best positioned to maximise on the opportunity. With thousands of visitors expected again this year, businesses that offer fast and secure digital payments stand to gain the most. For instance, contactless transactions, mobile payment options, and streamlined checkout processes can enhance customer experience and improve sales efficiency during peak trading periods. Scalable banking and payment solutions that cater to businesses of all sizes, can also help entrepreneurs manage cash flow and operational demands effectively. "The Cape Town Cycle Tour is a game-changer for local businesses. It brings an influx of customers within a short period, so being well-prepared—especially with efficient payment systems and customer-engagement strategies—can make all the difference. To support our clients during this event, Standard Bank offers relevant and targeted products and solutions to help businesses start, manage, and grow their operations,' says Cliff Mayinga, Provincial Head: Coverage Business Banking (Western Cape) at Standard Bank South Africa. Driving economic impact 2025 marks Standard Bank's second consecutive year as a proud sponsor of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, reinforcing its commitment to supporting local businesses and communities as the Cape Town Cycle Tour is more than just a sporting event but rather a catalyst for economic growth and community development. Aligned with this commitment, the event offers several key benefits, including: A boost to the local economy: The event attracts thousands of participants and spectators annually, generating significant revenue for local businesses with sectors like hospitality, retail, and transport reaping the most benefits. Support for SMEs: No fewer than 141 SMEs benefitted from increased sales during the event last year, with vendors offering food, beverages, cycling gear, and other services among those reporting substantial growth in sales over the race weekend. Job creation: In 2024, the event created 3,280 temporary and permanent employment opportunities in sectors like hospitality, event management, and tourism – further supporting the Western Cape economy. Tourism: The Cycle Tour showcases Cape Town as a global destination for sports and tourism, attracting international visitors and boosting the city's profile. Last year, 2,300 of the participants were international visitors, contributing to the city's tourism revenue. Community engagement and social impact: The event fosters a sense of community and encourages local participation in cycling and other healthy activities. Additionally, it supports various charitable initiatives, contributing to social development and community upliftment programmes in the region. In the race's more than 25-year history, R150m has been disbursed to charitable organisations, helping to uplift the beneficiary communities. Environmental benefits: The Cycle Tour promotes sustainable tourism and eco-friendly practices, aligning with Cape Town's commitment to environmental conservation. Beyond direct sales, events like these serve as a platform for brand exposure, customer acquisition, and long-term growth. Businesses that leverage digital tools, such as online promotions, customer insights and business banking platforms, can extend the benefits well beyond race day. 'As we experienced last year, businesses that were ready to turn Cape Town Cycle Tour's possibilities into opportunities by embracing digital solutions for payments, customer interactions, and/or inventory management, were able to maximise their sales and create lasting customer relationships,' adds Mayinga. As Cape Town gears up for this year's Cycle Tour, local businesses are preparing to meet the demand, ensuring they can make the most of the economic boost the event brings. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
