There’s a new TTT on the calendar, and with a spectacular route and experienced organisers, entries are disappearing fast! Enter the Boland Race Of Truth before 3 February, 2022, and claim a 20% early-access discount.

What’s a TTT, you ask? A team time trial offers a completely different racing experience; pick nine of your favourite cycling buddies, practice your paceline and see how fast you can cover some of the most hallowed cycling roads the Boland has to offer, as a team (the 5th rider across the line’s time is the one that counts). There are only 100 team slots, hence the need to enter quickly, in Overall, Mixed, Womens’ and Tandem categories.

190km 

2 100m ascent

24 April 2022

Boland Landbouskool

100 Teams

Enter the Boland Race Of Truth at www.cycleevents.co.za

The event starts at Boland Landbouskool, just outside Wellington, with predominantly left turns on the beautiful quiet roads of the Cape Winelands and Swartland. “We have been planning the event for six months and word of its staging quickly spread, leading to non-stop rider requests on when entries are opening,” said race organiser Wynand De Villiers.

 

The route takes in a beautiful and special part of the Western Cape; the Boland is renowned for its cycling friendly roads and road users. “We’re expecting entries to fill up quickly and to reach the 100-team capacity. There are only two similar events presented in South Africa, but the differentiators of the Boland Race of Truth are significant. It is close to Cape Town and surrounds, which eases rider logistics. It means, contrary to the other offerings, cyclists can ride in on the morning to take part and don’t need to book accommodation. And Paarl’s road conditions are amazing, with low traffic loads. We are spoilt for choice with routes, especially since we’re surrounded by four mountain passes within a radius of 20km.

Initially, riders will head north before doing a right turn at the Paardeberg Winery to link up with the Malmesbury R45 back to Paarl, left at Lady Loch and through the outskirts of Wellington, before left again for a short stint on the R44 to Chris se Winkel. Following the right turn at Chris se Winkel, it’s right again onto the Old Hermon Road, left on the Hexberg Road, right at Bosman Family Vineyards, right onto Hill Road and then onto the  Bain’s Kloof for an 18km ascent!

Although it’s still early morning and the roads are quiet, riders are requested to exercise caution when dropping down the the other side, before turning left onto the R43 towards Ceres. At the R46 T-junction the route turns left again towards Wolseley, at 80km. Past Wolseley and Tulbagh, through the not-so-bad Nuwekloof Pass and at 124km the race turns right past Hermon and Riebeeck Kasteel before starting the ascent of Bothmaskloof Pass, which is a bit of a test, especially with 135kmin the legs. Down the other side, and at the R44, riders will turn left towards Paarl to eventually link back up with the Paardeberg Road (right) and start the last stretch back to Boland Landbouskool.

The picture-perfect route, which takes place on the cycling friendly roads of the Cape Winelands and the Swartland, includes Bains Kloof Pass in Wellington and Bothmaskloof Pass in Riebeeck Kasteel.

TEAM CATEGORIES

The event format sees teams take off in 30 second intervals and the event starts and finishes at Boland Landbouskool in Paarl.

Teams places and times in the Race of Truth are determined by the fifth rider to cross the finish line.

Overall Team

A team in the overall category consists of men and women and does not resort under any one of the other three classifications. This is the most sought-after competition of the Race of Truth.

Mixed Team

A team where at least three women finish in the first five team riders across the line, failing which the team will be classified Open.

Women’s Team

An all-women team finishing with between five and 10 riders.

Tandem Team

All team members must be on tandems. Teams that feature normal bikes and tandems will receive an official time race time with an Overall Team classification, but are not eligible for any team prizes. Prizes will only be awarded if there are more than three teams participating as Tandem Teams.

TEAM SUPPORT FEEDING ZONES AND WATER POINTS

1. The first water point which the organisation provides is at Chris se Winkel at 32km.
2. The second water point set up by the organisation is at the top of Bains Kloof Pass at 51km.
3. The first team support zone starts shortly after the left turn at the R46 T-Junction at 80km. ONLY static feeding allowed, which means riders need to stop to collect bottles and eats from their support crew. No mobile feeding will be allowed. Vehicles can stop anywhere on the ride of the road within a 5km stretch following the left turn.
4. The third water point shortly before the Gouda intersection at 107km.
5. The fourth water point is at the top of Bothmaskloof Pass at 137km.
6. The final team support feed zone starts at 165km on the R45 to Paarl. Team vehicles can park on the side of the road for a 5km stretch to feed their riders.

All six official stops on the route have mobile toilets.

RACE FACT FILE:

Distance: 190km

Elevation: 2 100m

Terrain: Mildly undulating with Bains Kloof Pass and Bothmaskloof Pass the signature challenges

Route touchpoints: Wellington | Bains Kloof Pass| Tulbagh | Hermon | Riebeeck Kasteel | Bothaskloof Pass | Malmesbury | Paarl

Start and finish: Boland Landbouskool | Paarl

Entry Fee: R9 000 per team (R7 200 for early birds before 28 January)

Registration: Bicycle Garage, Laborie Centre Paarl: 23 April 09h00 – 15h00

Race start: 06h30

Race cut-off: 16h30

Six Water points: four provided by the organisation and two team assistance zones

Special Finisher’s medal

Timed by RaceTec

PLEASE NOTE: TIME TRIAL BIKES NOT PERMITTED

Enter at www.cycleevents.co.za

Events office: devillierscycling@mweb.co.za

The Boland Race Of Truth is presented by De Villiers National Cycling with seasoned race director Wynand de Villiers at the helm.

De Villers National Cycling also presents the Boland 100 Miler, Boland Gravel Monster, Paarl Boxing Day Championships and the Tour du Cap road races in the Boland, in addition to the Montecasino Classico, Emperors Palace Classic and Die Groot Trap in Gauteng.

 

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