South Africa’s oldest classic cycle race, the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic, has been reinvented with the inclusion of a 160km route for the first time in its history.

This year also marks its recognition as a race of international significance, through its inclusion in the Gran Fondo World Tour.

The new 160km route will have the same starting point as the 106km route in front of Pietermaritzburg’s City Hall but cyclists will do an additional 44km loop via Richmond before re-joining the famous Comrades Marathon route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

The Tsogo Sun Amashova race will close off the 10-event tour, which takes place over eight months on four continents. The Gran Fondo World Tour offers a prize purse of $25,000.

The Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic will also be the first and only race in the prestigious ten race line-up to be hosted in Africa.

There are also several other new developments cyclists and spectators can expect this year including a healthy living and cycling Expo that will see a number of top brands, products and services showcasing their goods to the public prior to race day.

The venue for this year’s race number pick up and late entries has also been changed to the conveniently located Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel on Durban’s beach front.

Entries are open to anyone with a bike. Tailored corporate and charity packages are available and for more information contact can be made with melissa@amashova.co.za.

For more information or to enter the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic, visit shova.co.za.