Registration
NOTE: Dates for pre-entries closing are still to be finalised. Provisionally, there will be three registration and late-entry sessions over two days for all the cycling events. All registration for all riders in all events will be at Cycle Lab Cornubia on Friday, April 19th, and Saturday, April 20th.
Trail run details will be released later.
NOTE: There are no registrations at the race starts for the cycling events.
PROVISIONAL DATES AND TIMES
REGISTRATION 1
(MTB, Road & Gravel)
Friday
9.00am to 5.00pm
Cycle Lab, Cornubia
REGISTRATION 2
(MTB, Gravel & Road)
Saturday
6.00am to 7.30am
Cycle Lab, Cornubia
REGISTRATION 3
(Road Only)
Saturday
9.00am to 3.00pm
Cycle Lab, Cornubia
Facilities
The road races will start and finish outside the Moses Mabhida Stadium and the mountain bike and gravel events will all start and finish at or near Cornubia Mall. The exact start areas are still to be confirmed.
For the road race there is ample, safe parking at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World. The start is a very short ride from the Suncoast car park, and once riders complete the course, they will be able to enjoy the finish area near the Kings Park Swimming Pool with vendors and grassy areas for relaxation.
There is plenty of parking at Cornubia for both registration and the MTB event, and MTB and Gravel riders can park at Cornubia and enjoy a very short warm-up ride to the start area.
Road Closures
There will be full road closure for all road races.
Sunday April 21st
From 3.30am until 1pm
(Note: some roads will be opened earlier depending on race conditions)
Masabala Yengwa Avenue:
Southbound lane from Kings Park to Sandile Thusi Road.
Isaiah Ntshangase Road:
Closed in both directions from Masabala Yengwa Avenue to Ruth First Highway.
Ruth First Highway (M4):
Closed in both directions from Sandile Thusi Road to Umdloti.
M41:
Closed in both directions from M4 to Ridgeside Drive.
Ridgeside Drive:
Northbound between offramp from M41 and onramp to M41.
Sandile Thusi Road:
Westbound lane closed from Ruth First Highway to Masabala Yengwa Avenue.
Battery Beach Road:
Closed in swimming pool area and no access to or from Masabala Yengwa Avenue.
110km Race in a Race
The racers are a key element of the Tour Durban and that means, as with the 2023 event, the 110km road event will give the front bunch some extra races within a race: most notably the points-based CMH Nissan King of the Mountain and CMH Renault Sprint competitions, and the Gooderson Leisure Team Competition.
CMH NISSAN KOM & CMH RENAULT SPRINTS
There will be two different King of the Mountain (KOM) sites on the route, providing three opportunities for the top climbers to pick up points for the KOM competition, which will then be totalled to decide the 2024 CMH Renault Ballito King of the Mountain.
The first and third Captur KOM presented by CMH Renault Ballito is situated at the highest elevation of the route, which is also at the top of the longest climb. This KOM timing point is positioned just after the Sibaya circle, after riders have completed the climb out from the Umhlanga River crossing. Riders can pick up points here on the first and third loops of the 110km route.
The second Captur KOM presented by CMH Renault Ballito will be situated at the top of the M41 on the second lap. This short, sharp climb up from the M4 comes almost exactly halfway into the race and could also be a climb where riders might try and make an early race-winning break.
The speedsters also have an opportunity to collect points and win prizes in the Magnite Sprint brought to you by CMH Nissan Ballito, which follows a similar format as the KOM competition. There will be one sprint point on the race route which will provide riders with an opportunity on each of the three laps to collect points.
GOODERSON LEISURE TEAM COMPETITION
The Gooderson Leisure Team Competition is an attractive option for club-based teams to fight it out for bragging rights.
The concept for the team event is simple. Any riders who have already entered as an individual, can also team up into a team of five (or four) for the road race. The results are calculated on the sum of the times of the first 4 riders To cross the line. Riders can only enter into one team.
Teams can be made up of club members, drinking mates, friends, family or any other group that wants to form a team.
Timing & Results
The aQuellé Tour Durban will be timed by Mobii Elite Timing. All riders will be given a race number and timing chip at registration. Any disputes must be tabled not later than 30mins after finishing to the CSA officials situated at the finish line. Payment of R100 is required and is refundable once the dispute has been clarified. No results will be added after the event.
Disabled Cyclist Access
Start Times
All batching and start times will be confirmed prior to registration, after online entries have closed.
Note: Final batch and start times dependent on entry numbers and traffic authority - do not expect to know your batching until after online entries have closed. All riders will received final race instruction on Thursday before the race weekend.
No late arrivals will be allowed onto the route and any cyclist without an official race number will be removed.
PLEASE NOTE: Cyclists riding without race numbers will not have access to Medical Services provided by the race organisers.
Venue Access
Seeding
Seeding will be done based on your national seeding index and in line with your racing categories
Minimum Ages
MTB 10km: All ages (under 8 to be accompanied by a parent/guardian)
MTB 20km: 8 years
MTB 40km: 15 years
Road 28km: 8 years
Road 42km: 13 years
Road 110km: 17 years
Cut Off Times
It is important that every riders knows and understands how the cut-off times work on race day. To ensure your safety and the smooth operation of the road closure management plan, these cut-off times will be strictly enforced. In reality they will not be an issue for any riders that has done the training, but to be sure that everyone is aware, cut-off times will need to be enforced. Cut off times for the different routes will be displayed on the respective route pages on this website once they are finalised.
Parking
The best parking area for the mountain bike and gravel events is the underground parking at Cornubia Mall which will be near to the mountain bike start and finish area and is a short ride to the start line. For the road race, it is suggested that all entrants park at the Sun Coast Casino complex and take a short ride to the start area which will be at NMR Avenue. The parking area is accessible from Snell Parade and the start chutes will be accessible only from the Snell Parade side to avoid congestion at the start line at NMR. All Parking is at the owners risk.
Sweep Vehicle & Retiring from the Race
Sweeps will be following all 3 x routes to assist all riders on the road and will be in contact with the operations centre at all times to ensure everyone’s safety. Should you not be able to continue riding, you can get a lift with the sweep vehicle or preferably, stop at one of the watering table and you can leave your bike there if necessary.
Medals
Water Tables
There will be a number of water tables on route that will provide hydration and some snacks. Riders are requested to ensure that they ride with a water bottle as well. If you want any refreshments at the stations, please slow down and stop. Trying to take on refreshments while riding is a hazard to your fellow cyclists and is not permitted. The water table positions will be confirmed and communicated closer to the event. Strictly no on-course seconding for riders is permitted,
Medical
Marshalling
Mechanic Service
There will once again be mechanical support for all riders provided by a local cycling retailer. Should you receive assistance and any spares from the team on the road, you will be invoiced by the retailer after the event.
New Events
For the 2024 aQuellè Tour Durban there will be a new gravel event and a trail run included in the schedule to ensure more people can enjoy the fun. Details of these events will be released when they are finalised, but both will take place on Saturday, as part of the "off-Road" schedule of events.
Tandems & E-Bikes
We request that tandems and E-Bikes respect the other riders in the race and do not interfere or disrupt the single bicycle's race.
Transport from Gauteng
NIGHT TRANS is offering bike transport from Gauteng to the 2024 aQuellé Tour Durban.
All bikes are individually boxed (self-packed bikes in carriers or boxes are also welcome).
Please send me an email for prices and more information on the transport available.
lorraine@nighttrans.co.za
Phone: Lorraine +27 72 873 2662
Road Race Finish Area
For the road race, a new finish village has been created either side of the walkway under the M4, just a few metres after the finish line. Riders and their supporters are encouraged to join aQuellé and the other sponsors, as well as ECR and a variety of vendors as you show off your medal and celebrate your finish. Any team entered into the 110km Gooderson Leisure Team Competition can put a small gazebo, so enter a team and bring your club mates for the after-party.