Due to extreme weather conditions experienced in the Cape over the last couple of days, the Pedal Power Association (PPA) was compelled to cancel the 2020 Medihelp Stellenbosch Cycle Tour which was set to take place on Sunday 19 January in and around Stellenbosch. With a wind forecast of up to 95 km an hour along the 97 km route throughout the day, the safety of the more than 3 000 riders who entered the race would have been in jeopardy if the race continued.
At 03:00 on Sunday morning, an emergency consultation was held with the Venue Operations Centre (VOC) Safety Officer, the title sponsor of the race, Medihelp Medical Aid, PPA Management and the Risk Assessment and Event Managers from ER24. The various assessment teams were sent out to evaluate the conditions and communicated visuals to the VOC of extremely unsafe conditions along the route, upon which the decision was made to cancel the race.
“It is truly disappointing that we were forced to cancel the Medihelp Stellenbosch Cycle Tour due to these extreme weather conditions. Being one of our flagship events, a lot of time and effort has gone into the preparation of this event. The PPA, however, places the safety of cyclists first and foremost,” said Rens Rezelman, Chairman of the PPA.
Newly appointed Principal Officer of Medihelp Medical Aid, Ettie da Silva, said that Medihelp donated the food which had been prepared for the day to The Haven Kensington charity.
“We would like to thank everyone for entering the race as well as all our suppliers, sponsors and partners for being so understanding on the day,” Rezelman concluded.
