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We are racing through 2026 faster than Tadej Pogačar attacks on a Tour de France climb – with January almost gone, there are now just 79 days to go before the 2026 aQuellé Tour Durban in association with Cycle Lab.
After consultation with many role-players in the cycling industry, and feedback from participants at recent events, the 2026 Tour Durban on 19th April has opted to make some significant changes. The new look may still need some explanation, so hopefully this newsletter will give clarity for riders looking forward to Monday, when entries open.
The key principles behind the aQuellé Tour Durban in association with Cycle Lab remain unchanged: We will provide riders with an enjoyable, safe, well-organised event that fulfils our mandate to raise funds for the official beneficiary, The Domino Foundation.
With that in mind, some key facets of the race will remain in place: The event will continue to have full road closure; riders will be given full on-course support, including all safety, medical and mechanical backup; there will still be five water points on the route with toilet facilities; all riders will get post-event drinks from aQuellé at the race village, and an official commemorative medal.
The biggest change will be the entry fee. All recreational riders will have one standard entry fee of R300. Regardless of the distance they choose to ride, the riders in this mass-participation event will enjoy this reduction in entry fee,
Despite the reduced entry fee, riders can expect significant value linked to their entry. All riders will receive a pair of official event-branded cycling socks; a R150 voucher from Cycle Lab; other vouchers and giveaways from participating stores at Cornubia Mall; a re-designed race medal, post-race drinks from aQuellé on completion of the ride; and entry into the Hills & Waves lucky draw with R20 000 in cash prizes.
Any rider entering during February (or earlier) will get an upgrade voucher for a bike service (base service to full service) from Cycle Lab, and entry into the Cycle Lab Early Bird draw for eight R500 gift vouchers.
So what is different on race day?
1) KZN Cycling Schools Road Series Final
The programme of events will start at 6am with the final of the KZN Cycling Schools Road Series for riders who have qualified at the series events. These riders will be invited by the School Series to enter.
2) Recreational Riders
From 6.30am until 10.30am the 42km route will be opened to all recreational riders only from the start / finish line opposite Moses Mabhida on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue. There will not be any set distances for the recreational riders – the choice of distance and start time will be at their discretion and choice. There will however be “ride buses” for people that want to start and ride with others, starting at 06h30, 06h45, 07h00, 07h15 & 07h30. Riders will be able to turn at various points along the closed-off 42km route.
While we know most riders in an event simply want an enjoyable experience in a safe environment, we also understand some riders enjoy the racing element of events and there will be cash prizes for men and women in the 42km and two-lap 84km distances, as well as "Hot Spot" prizes for a designated climb. All timing in the recreational event will be via Strava (details will follow).
3) aQuellé Invitational Race and CSA National Inter-Club Challenge
The top 50 clubs and CSA registered teams, and selected individual riders will be invited to fill 300 places available for the aQuellé Invitational Race starting at 10.30am. Individual and team prizes will be awarded. Riders selected to represent their clubs will automatically be invited to enter the individual invitation race. All clubs are reminded that they will have to provide an expression of interest for the inter-club race as per the communication recently sent to all clubs and teams.
Individuals wishing to be invited to the aQuellé Invitational Race, but not selected as part of their club team, must request an invitation to be part of the chosen 300 by sending an invitation to the300@tourdurban.co.za before 20th February 2026 (riders not sure if they will be included in a club team must submit a request for invitation). The entry fee for the invitation race will be R675 payable after you have been invited to participate.
The prize breakdown for teams and individuals will be loaded on the website shortly.
If you have already entered at the old price, what happens to your entry?
These new arrangements have been informed by what the majority of people have indicated they want from an event, and these revised plans differ a bit to what was in place when discounted entries opened. Therefore, those riders who have already entered have two options to change their entry:
Option One: Receive a full refund on entry fee and cancel the entry to the event. Entrants wanting to take up this option must let the race organisers know via email to entryupdate@tourdurban.co.za before Friday, 20th February 2026.
Option Two: Take part, and receive a refund of the difference in entry paid and the new entry fee. These riders will receive their 15% or 10% discount on the R300 entry fee (dependent on whether entry was done in Phase 1 or Phase 2); receive the added-value voucher from Cycle Lab for an upgrade bike service; and will be entered into the Early Bird prize draw.
All current entrants have been mailed a detailed explanation of the process.
We believe these changes will provide entrants and spectators with an exciting spectacle, while allowing riders of all levels to enjoy a well-organised value-for-money event that continues to support the designated beneficiary.
We hope to see everyone at registration at Cycle Lab in Cornubia Mall on 17-18 April and on the start line at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 19th April.
#YourRaceYourChoice |
