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A Look Back At The Cape Rouleur

by Henry Peacock

HotChillee Sportive - 06/04/2013 - Imber Court Sports Club, Ember Lane, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 0BT
Rating: 91.1% based on 10 reviews - See Previous Ratings
The Cape Rouleur - 03/03/2013 - Cape Town
The London-Paris 2013 - 20/06/2013 - Imber Court, Esher
Alpine Challenge 2013 - 11/09/2013 - Annecy
Alpine Challenge 2014 - 03/09/2014 - Annecy
The London-Paris 2014 - 26/06/2014 - London
Alpine Challenge 2015 - 09/09/2015 - Annecy
The London-Paris 2015 - 25/06/2015 - London
Alpine Challenge 2016 - 01/06/2016 - Annecy

The first of HotChillee's multi-stage cycling events in its Global Event Series, the Cape Rouleur, has reached its conclusion for 2013. The Cape Rouleur did not disappoint, following HotChillee's renowned event formula of rolling road closures, motorbike outriders, support vehicles and the opportunity to not only ride in a sociable peloton, but to compete for a number of titles, including the Yellow, Green and Red Jerseys.

Triple Crown Winner Stephen Roche Leads The Bunch

Based out of Franschhoek in the Western Cape - a haven for cyclists at this time of year - riders, both pro and amateur, experienced a combination of scenic stages, competitive General Classification sections, fast sprints and tough climbs over the beautiful 600km South African route, with an ascent of over 6000m.

There was some tough competition for all the Jerseys this year, but Team Bulls' Urs Huber took the overall first place and the Pro Yellow Jersey, while Tim Carter, riding for Team Wattbike, rode away with the Yellow Jersey in the Amateur category. Evarne Rees retained the Pink Jersey for the second year as the overall ladies winner, despite Vanessa Haywood's efforts. Tim Böehme, also from Team Bulls collected the Pro Red Jersey for the overall best climber while Franschhoek local Geddan Ruddock from Team Oryx1 was awarded the Amateur Red Jersey. Karl Platt made it a homerun for Team Bulls as he took the Pro Green Jersey for the fastest sprinter, while South African Development Rider, Nicholas Dlamini was named the overall winner of the Amateur Green Jersey. Air Arabia was the overall winner in the Team category.

Some High Speeds On Offer For Participants

Once the Cape Rouleur's final official stage was complete, HotChillee hosted a Celebration Dinner where 1987 Tour de France winner Stephen Roche and 1988 World Champion Maurizio Fondriest presented the prizes and winners' Jerseys to the top performers of the event. This gave all participants time to truly wind-down together.

The day after, all three groups departed from Franschhoek for the Festival Ride and made their way through the beautiful vineyards surrounding the Durbanville Hills. The riders finished at the Cape Town Hotel School in Moullie Point which hugs the Atlantic Ocean and were met with great celebrations from organisers and their fellow cyclists. There was excellent camaraderie throughout the event, testament to the great spirit of this year's participants.

Early Morning Starts To Beat The Traffic

As part of the entry to The Cape Rouleur, the riders received a seeded entry to the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, providing a perfect end to a full week of cycling. In addition to entry to both events and the relaxed ride back to Cape Town, the riders had the chance to take part in a Twitter Ride with 1988 World Champion, Maurizio Fondriest, on Saturday 9th March, starting at Camps Bay, out to Suikerbossie and back, along a perfect stretch of coastline that had thousands of other cyclists preparing for their South African cycling season.

Participants included 1987 Triple Crown Winner, Stephen Roche; 1988 World Champion Maurizio Fondriest; professional mountain bike team, Team Bulls; actress, model and endurance cyclist Vanessa Haywood; rugby legend Joel Stransky and Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde. Also riding the event were HotChillee's Development Riders, Nicholas Dlamini and Reyatile Mthakathi, two local riders selected based on their cycling prowess.

Stunning Backdrops

For a full set of results from all stages of the 2013 Cape Rouleur, visit www.caperouleur.com

HotChillee's next event will be the HotChillee Sportive on 6th April, for information on this please visit: http://www.cyclosport.org/28-Feb-2013/news/the-hotchillee-sportive-2013---6th-april.html