DURBAN – Entries opened on Monday for the 2024 aQuellè Tour Durban with some exciting new additions for riders, as well as a “return to the old” with the event date reverting to its April time slot.

The popular Durban cycling event has moved to its traditional April dates after Covid-enforced postponements resulted in date changes in recent years. While the old dates are welcomed back, there will also be some new additions for the event.

The two biggest innovations for the participants are the new gravel race which has been incorporated into the aQuellè Tour Durban MTB powered by Cycle Lab programme, while trail runs will also feature on the schedule for the first time.

The traditional format of an off-road day on Saturday and a road day on Sunday has been kept in place, with the three mountain biking events, as well as the new gravel ride and trail runs, all taking place on Saturday, April 20.

The three road races will be held on Sunday, April 21, with riders having an option of 110km, 42km and 28km distances based around the popular lapped format along the M4 between Moses Mabhida Stadium and uMdloti.

“After the disruptions and issues with Covid,  we are finally able to return next year to the traditional April dates for the aQuellè Tour Durban,” said Race Director Alec Lenferna on Monday. “However, we are always looking at ways to freshen up the event and make sure it has some new and exciting elements, and this year we have added trail runs and a gravel race.

“Worldwide, gravel racing is the fastest growing form of cycling and as one of KZN’s premier cycling events we believe we should try and incorporate it this year, so we have introduced a short gravel race to test the waters.

“The aQuellè Tour Durban weekend is all about being inclusive and enabling the whole family to enjoy the fun and experience of the weekend, so it made sense to introduce a trail run so those family members who are not riders, can be part of the action.

“All the off-road action will be based around Cornubia once again, with Sunday’s road events starting and finishing at Moses Mabhida.

“The focus on this event is squarely on participation, so we are once again taking the emphasis away from the racing and aiming to make the day fun for all participants. This is about people being able to ride for the joy of it with whoever they choose to at whatever pace and over whichever terrain they prefer to – we’re all about the fun.

“We want everyone in KZN who has a bicycle to pitch up and enjoy the weekend,” said Lenferna, before adding that simply by participating, riders “will be helping the Domino Foundation, the race’s designated charity, to continue with their great work.”

Cyclists can enter all their events on the roag.org entry portal while entries for the trail running events will be opening shortly.

For more information go to https://tourdurban.co.za/ and to enter go to https://roag.org/events/event-info/4097/aquelle-tour-durban