On Sunday 4000 cyclists braved terrible, and at times dangerous, weather conditions at South Africa’s oldest cycling race, the 37th Amashova Durban Classic. Promoted as the “safest cycle race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban,” conditions at this year’s event were anything but safe according to some participants.

On Facebook Nivedna Parbhoo Pershad posted, “The race should have been canceled due to the heavy rain. There are so many potholes which surely is filled with water & extremely dangerous to the cyclist. I guess it’s all about the money than safety. Cyclist should be refunded”

Rowan Sewchurran was more direct in his criticism, “You went ahead and allowed a race from PMB to Durban that included beginner cyclists among other seasoned ones inspite of disaster warnings about the weather. Almost R900 a ticket, and you gave entrants nothing, except for your reassurance. It stormed for more than 100kms. That could’ve easily been blood money, should someone have died. You chose profit.”

On the other hand, John Turner seemed to enjoy the challenge, “What a ride , ghastly weather but superb spirit from the riders that competed. This was my first Amashova and at 68 I thought why have I not done this before to the organisers , well done, I will be back next year. Okay so it took me longer than expected 4 hrs 46 minutes and it will take a week to drain the water.”

The treacherous conditions did not slow down the elite riders, with a soggy Rohan Du Plooy, 29, emerging as the men’s champion with a winning time of 2:20:24 on the 106km route, and former Olympian Jo van de Winkel, 41, taking the women’s title in 2:54:16.

Next year’s Amashova Durban Classic will take place on 20 October 2024.

Photo Credit: CSOS

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