Durban’s cycling community is mourning the death of Wessel van Dyk, who died after a head-on collision with a vehicle allegedly travelling the wrong way on Saturday 25 July 2026 in South Africa.
Van Dyk was training on a popular five-kilometre beachfront circuit, a route long favoured by local racers and clubs, when a car travelled against the flow of traffic and struck him head-on. He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries at 3am on Sunday 26 July.
Accident specialist Craig Proctor-Parker, hired by the Van Dyk family to investigate the crash, said events taking place nearby at the time should have prompted police to intervene before the vehicle entered the circuit. Adding, the driver has since been arrested.
Friends described van Dyk as a committed and well-liked figure in the local riding scene. He had previously competed in ultra-endurance events, including the Munga, a 1150km multi-day self-supported MTB race across the Karoo, reflecting a passion for distance riding beyond traditional road racing.
The route, a roughly five-kilometre loop starting on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue and running towards the city centre, is one of Durban’s few options for structured road training. With the Cyril Geoghegan Velodrome long inaccessible and in disrepair, the loop has become the default venue for club groups doing speed work, time trials and early-morning pack rides. A dedicated cycle lane runs along part of the route, but it remains open to vehicle traffic.
The circuit has a troubled safety record. In February 2023, club cyclist Veven Naidoo was killed after being struck from behind during an early-morning training ride, prompting similar calls from riders for dedicated, protected infrastructure.
Investigations into the crash continue.
Photo Credit: supplied
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