Cycling SA Statement following CAC Road and Time Trial African Championships Date Confirmation
Following the publication of the UCI calendar at the end of September 2022, the Cycling SA Road Commission reviewed the published calendar in order to plan the National Championship schedules for South Africa.
- On 17th October 2022, Cycling SA registered the National Road and TT Championships for 9 – 12 February 2023 with the UCI. This was approved and published on uci.org and www.cyclingsa.com.
- During November 2022 Cycling SA requested information from the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) about the African Championships in order plan participation in the African Road and TT Championships.
- On 22nd November 2022 the UCI and IOC made available an updated version of the Olympic Qualification process. The dates of all continental championship as qualification events were published as part of this document in which the African Road and Time Trial Championships were scheduled for 8 – 13 March 2023.
- At the end of November Cycling SA received unverified information that CAC was considering hosting their African Road and Time Trial Championship over an alternative date during February 2023 instead. Cycling SA contacted the UCI and CAC on both the 18th and 30th of November 2022 about this possible date change. In its correspondence Cycling SA requested verification and confirmation notice of the date change by 5 December 2022. This was in view of the fact that entries, reservations and travel bookings for the South African Road and Time Trial Championships had already commenced.
- During the first week of December, Cycling SA Secretary General attended several meetings with other African Nations where the African Road and Time Trial Championships had been discussed. An indication was given that the “new” dates for African Championships had not been confirmed and that consideration was being given to Ghana and Mauritius as hosts. South Africa supported the option of Mauritius which was likely to take place in April.
- It must be stated that with all the communication mentioned above at no point did CAC reply to any of our correspondence with them, despite the repeated telephonic requests that we made.
On Friday, 6th January 2023, Cycling South Africa received a notification and invitation from The President of CAC to attend the African Road Cycling Championships in Ghana from 08 – 13 February 2023. Cycling SA immediately notified CAC and the UCI that this date clash with our scheduled South African Road and TT Championships and that it is less than 5 weeks’ notice. The UCI advised this was a decision of CAC which they have no control over.
As per our previous statement Cycling SA did everything in its power to obtain clarity on African Road and Time Trial Championships and to attend. The 5 weeks’ notice simply did not give us enough time to re-schedule the SA Championships nor to organise our team and logistics to enable us to attend the event.
However, from a qualification perspective for the Paris2024 Olympic Games, South Africa is currently qualified higher in terms of qualification slots through the UCI general rankings and the performances of our athletes globally. South Africa does not require to attend the African Road and Time Trial Championships to qualify a slot in Paris. Cycling South Africa and its athletes have always been very supportive in attending the events and to fight for the continental jersey.
After much deliberation, the Road Commission considered sending a reduced team and made an enquiry about availability on a shortlist of riders in the Elite category. The majority of riders responded that they unfortunately will prioritize the South African Road and TT Championships ahead of the event scheduled in Ghana.
Consequently, a decision was taken that South Africa will not be attending this year’s African Road and Time Trial Championships. Cycling SA however will select a Paracycling team to participate. Their events are scheduled for the week after, with no clashes identified.
Cycling SA wishes all participants taking part in the South African Road and Time Trial Championships in Oudtshoorn between 08-12 February well. For entries and information visit: ROAD – Cycling South Africa (cyclingsa.com)
END.
