In conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation and Msunduzi Municipality, the inaugural KZN Summer Series kicks off in the province on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 November. The event comprises two one-day UCI 1.2 women-only races – a first for the country and continent.
There have been women’s cycling races in the country before, but these have always been linked to men’s races so these two races that are solely for elite women races is a huge step forward for the development of women in the sport here in the country and in Africa.
These two events, whilst independent of the Telkom 947 UCI 1.1 Women’s Race, will serve as a crucial pre-cursor to the prestigious event held in Gauteng on 20 November, thereby providing three UCI-rated road races dedicated to the women who are racing at top level to collect vital UCI points.
Photos Day 1 – Queen Nandi Challenge
Photos Day 2 – Queen Sibiya Classic
Affected routes for: Wednesday 16 November
The detailed route description is as follows:
and Thursday 17 November
The detailed route description is as follows:
Downloads
16 November 2016 //Queen Nandi Challenge
The first race of the 2016 KZN Summer Series is the Queen Nandi Challenge, taking place on Wednesday 16 November. The UCI Category 1.2 race is a 100-kilometre loop starting at Midmar Dam (near Howick) before sweeping through the Edendale Valley and climbing back through Hilton and returning to Midmar Dam. The race is named after Queen Nandi, mother of Shaka Zulu, and who is recognised as the mother of the Zulu nation.
17 November 2016 //Queen Sibiya Classic
The second race, the Queen Sibiya Classic, is a 118-kilometre race again starting at Midmar Dam and will see the peloton climbing to Mooi River before racing back to the finish point at Midmar Dam, passing through Howick. Although a road race, close to 4.5-kilometres of it is on a hard gravel road – an African twist on the iconic Strade Bianche race in Italy. The race is named after the Queen Sibiya, who stood up to an abusive husband – one of the first historical steps leading to the empowerment of women in the country today.
//Technical Partner
Cycling South Africa would like to say thank you to our technical partner for coming on board for the 2016 KZN Summer Series.
//Participating Teams
17 women’s teams have committed to taking part in the 2016 KZN Summer Series with each team allowed a minimum of four and a maximum of six riders on the start line. These teams comprise four international UCI Women’s Teams, three African teams, six South African pro teams, as well as provincial teams.
INTERNATIONAL LINE UP
AFRICAN TEAM LINE UP
SOUTH AFRICAN LINE UP
PRETORIA BOX/POC
PROVINCIAL LINE UP
KWAZULU-NATAL
//Prize Money Breakdown
//About Africa’s Bike City – PIETERMARITZBURG
As part of the ongoing UCI Bike City Project in conjunction with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport & Recreation and Msunduzi Municipality, the KZN Summer Series for Women is added to a multitude of world-class cycling events hosted by the city since 2010.
Pietermaritzburg, Africa’s Bike City, has become known as the leader in hosting prestigious internationally acclaimed events. Over the past seven years in particular, Pietermaritzburg has hosted the 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014 UCI Mountain Bike World Cups, 2009 and 2011 UCI BMX Supercross World Cups, 2011 and 2013 Msunduzi Road Challenge (UWCT qualifier event), 2010 UCI BMX World Championships, 2012 UWCT Final (Masters Road World Championships), 2013 UCI Mountain Bike Masters World Championships, 2013 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships, 2014 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships and the 2015 and 2016 UCI Para-cycling Road World Cups.
