Organisers of the Cape Town Cycle Tour fear that the fires raging on the mountains of the Deep South may necessitate a change of route to avoid Chapman’s Peak.
The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust said it was in close contact with the City of Cape Town’s disaster management team as well as their events office and all other role players.
And while it is too soon to assess the damage left by raging flames, the organisers said it was standard operating procedure to have plans for an alternative route available to ensure the event can still go ahead. “Once the situation is made clear to us we will be in a better position to make a final decision on our plans for Sunday.”
The 109km fun ride, sponsored by the Cape Argus, Pick n Pay and Momentum, takes place on Sunday. More than 35 000 riders are set to take part.
Yesterday, riders training for the event were forced to turn around in Hout Bay as they tried to ascend Chapman’s Peak. Traffic officials had closed the road to allow emergency vehicles to have an unobstructed route to the fire burning on the mountain.
The Cycle Tour organisers appealed to riders to avoid the affected areas to allow officials to perform their duties.
“Our thoughts go out to the people affected by this devastating fire and the brave dedicated firemen trying to bring it under control,” they said. - Cape Argus