Entries will open for the recreational Charity Race on 2nd February at Entry Ninja for an across-the-board fee of R300.

Cycling pre-entries will close strictly on 15th April, 2025. Thereafter late entries will only be taken at registration.

All riders can enter the Charity / Recreational Race for the entry fee of R300 (late entry fee to be determined). FinishTime, in conjunction with the event organisers, are also offering a more formal timing option for the Recreational Ride. Participants who have a FinishTime timing board (as used, for example, at Cape Town Cycle Tour) can get an official time for the 42km and 84km at the Recreational Ride. This time can be used for national seeding. Riders who already possess a FinishTime timing board do not need to purchase a new one for this event. FinishTime will charge riders R50 for this timing service and new timing boards will cost R140, both payable when entering the event via EntryNinja or can be updated on your entry later.

Rider who qualify for the KZN Cycling Schools Road Series Final will be invited by the School Series to enter.

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 and CSA National Inter-Club Challenge.

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 before 20th February. 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 e-mail to the300@tourdurban.co.za before 20th February 2026 (riders not sure if they will be included in a club team should submit a request for an invitation).

The entry fee for the invitation race will be R675 per person payable after invitation is sent to riders. Riders requesting an invitation must be entered in the Recreational Race and must submit name as used to enter and ID number when sending their request.

Late entries will be taken at registration.

All recreational riders can opt to be timed by Strava. Full details will be avallable shortly, but riders will need a compatible device. This can be a smartphone with a compatible app (Strava app is recommended or Cyclemeter) or compatible GPS cycling computer (Garmin, Wahoo, Polar, Suunto) or smartwatches (Apple Watch, Wear OS, Samsung Gear, Fitbit). 

The country’s leading timing company, FinishTime, in conjunction with the event organisers, are also offering a more formal timing option for the Recreational Ride. Participants who have a FinishTime timing board (as used, for example, at Cape Town Cycle Tour) can get an official time for the 42km and 84km at the Recreational Ride. This time can be used for national seeding. Riders who already possess a FinishTime timing board do not need to purchase a new one for this event. However, riders who do not have a FinishTime timing board, can purchase one which can then be used in cycling events timed by FinishTime, including The Cycle Tour. FinishTime will charge riders R50 for this timing service and new timing boards will cost R140, both payable when entering the event via EntryNinja or can be updated on your entry later.

Recreational Riders who do not want a time from FinishTime, can opt to only upload their ride to Strava, or even choose not to be timed at all.

invited riders in the aQuellé Invitational Race and CSA National Inter-Club Challenge must have a FinishTime timing chip (as used, for example, at Cape Town Cycle Tour). Any rider who does not already have a FinishTime board / chip can purchased one when entering via Entry Ninja (R140). 

Details for the KZN Cycling Schools Road Series Final will follow.

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.

Despite the reduced entry fee of just R300, riders can expect significant value linked to their entry.

As in the past, the event will continue to have:
• full road closure;
• on-course support, including all safety, medical and mechanical backup;
• five water points on the route with toilet facilities, food and drink;
• post-event drinks from aQuellé at the race village;
• an official, redesigned commemorative medal.

All pre-entered riders will receive at least:
• a pair of official event-branded cycling socks;
• a R150 voucher from Cycle Lab;
• a service upgrade from Cycle Lab;
• other vouchers and giveaways from participating stores at Cornubia Mall;
• health & beauty gifts from Domino Foundation;
• all entrants to any other Hills and Waves event goes 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;
• entry into the Cycle Lab Early Bird draw for eight R500 gift vouchers

Official accommodation suppliers, Southern Sun, offer discounts for hotel accommodation at six of their hotels within the greater Durban area. Riders will get preferential rates at the participating hotels for the race weekend. Booking at the discounted rates will be via the following link:

Southern Sun Tour Durban Discount 
(Click the link above and then “View Rates” of hotel you want to book at, adjust number of guests and dates, and then book)

The following hotels are available:

Garden Court South Beach – Booking Reference: 2064890
3 star, 3.9km from start
R1,175.00 per room, per night – Standard Single Room (Bed & Breakfast)
R1,425.00 per room, per night – Standard Double/Twin Room (Bed & Breakfast)

Garden Court Marine Parade – Booking Reference: 2064893
3 star, 3.2km from start
R1,350.00 per room, per night – Standard Single Room (Bed & Breakfast)
R1,600.00 per room, per night – Standard Double/Twin Room (Bed & Breakfast)

Garden Court Umhlanga – Booking Reference: 2000056
4 star, 14.8km from start
R1,650.00 per room, per night – Standard Single Room (Bed & Breakfast)
R1,900.00 per room, per night – Standard Double/Twin Room (Bed & Breakfast)

Edward Hotel – Booking Reference: 2000058
4 star, 3.2km from start
R1,350.00 per room, per night – Standard Single Room (Bed & Breakfast)
R1,600.00 per room, per night – Standard Double/Twin Room (Bed & Breakfast)

Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani – Booking Reference: 2000056
4 star, 2.5km from start
R1,450.00 per room, per night – Standard Single Room (Bed & Breakfast)
R1,700.00 per room, per night – Standard Double/Twin Room (Bed & Breakfast)

Beverly Hills – Booking Reference: 2000056
5 star, 14.1km from start
R4,450.00 per room, per night – Standard Single Room (Bed & Breakfast)
R4,750.00 per room, per night – Standard Double/Twin Room (Bed & Breakfast)

Pre-entries will close on April 15th via Entry Ninja. Entries for the recreational race will be accepted at race registration

There will be two registration (and late-entry sessions for the recreation riders) over two days for all the cycling events. All registration for all riders in all events will only be at Cycle Lab Cornubia on Friday, April 17th, and Saturday, April 18th.

All cyclists’ race packs must be collected from registration. There will be no race packs at the start of the cycling events.

NOTE: There are no registrations at the race starts for the cycling events.

PROVISIONAL DATES AND TIMES

REGISTRATION 1
Friday
9.00am to 5.00pm
Cycle Lab, Cornubia

REGISTRATION 2
Saturday
9.00am to 3.00pm
Cycle Lab, Cornubia

All start times will be confirmed prior to registration, after online entries have closed. 

PROVISIONAL START TIMES:

1. KZN Cycling Schools Road Series Final: From 6.00am
2. Recreational Riders: From 6.30am-10.30am open course (start when you want and ride as far as you want) – all riders must start at Moses Mabhida on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue. 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.
3. aQuellé Invitational Race and CSA National Inter-Club Challenge:  10.30am

The road races will start and finish outside the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

For the road race there is ample, safe parking at the nearby casino. The start is a very short ride from there, 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 registration.

There will be full road closure for all road races. Provisional times as follows:

Sunday
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.

Disabled cyclists requiring special vehicle access to the Start area will require an Access Pass. Please contact Alec Lenferna at director@realem.co.za to arrange an Access Pass.

Road riders are reminded to be aware that road closures may impact access roads to the start areas. Riders are reminded to check road closures so as to plan your route to the start and to ensure you leave enough time to accommodate any delays and detours.

For the road race, it is suggested that all entrants park at the Sun Coast Casino complex and take a short 200m ride to the start area which will be on front of Moses Mbhida. 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.  All parking strictly at owners’ risk.

Sweeps will be following all 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 tables and you can leave your bike there if necessary.

Redesigned metal medals will be handed out to all participants along with aQuellé race drinks at the finish line after completing your ride.

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.

EMRS have a full medical setup in place throughout the route. Emergency numbers will be communicated in case you need to contact anyone.

Marshals on the route are there to manage traffic and not to direct you. Please be courteous and obey instructions. Police will be in attendance and cyclists must obey any instructions and give them right of way should they need access to the route.

Echelon Bike Transport is offering professional bike transport from Gauteng to the 2026 aQuellé Tour Durban.

The Echelon team are cyclists, so they know how important your ride is to you and that is why they take the most care when transporting your bicycle. With Echelon you can have peace of mind and be assured your precious ride is in good hands.

Echelon have multiple convenient drop-off points or you can book their door-to-door service. Your bike will then be transported to the aQuellé Tour Durban and you will be kept up to date on where the precious cargo is. Collect your bike, race and return it, and Echelon will safely transport it it back after the race.

To book your bike transport from Gauteng to Durban, go to www.echelonbiketrans.co.za.

For more info contact Echelon via mobile or WhatsApp on 27 61 565 0231 or email bookings@echelonbiketrans.co.za

We request that tandems and E-Bikes respect the other riders in the race and do not interfere or disrupt other riders. E-Bikes will not be eligible for any prizes except lucky draws.

For the road race, a 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 a variety of vendors as you show off your medal and celebrate your finish. Clubs entering a team can put a small gazebo and bring your club mates for the after-party. 

We encourage riders from the recreational race to watch the action in the aQuellé Invitational Race and CSA National Inter-Club Challenge. Riders will pass the start finish area six times.