Cycling enthusiasts can look forward to four days of top-quality racing with the 2015 SA Omnium Track Championships, an Inter-Provincial and a Grand Prix scheduled to be held on 4, 5, 6 and 8 November at Africa’s only indoor cycling track, the Olympic-sized Bellville Velodrome in the Western Cape. The Pedal Power Association this week extended a helping hand to Western Cape Cycling by coming onboard as sponsor for the Championships, following an urgent plea for funding assistance last week.
[lightbox link=”http://www.wpcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/PPA-logo-Full-colour.jpg” thumb=”http://www.wpcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/PPA-logo-Full-colour-236×300.jpg” width=”236″ align=”center” title=”PPA logo Full colour” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]
The Omnium typically attracts the best track riders from around South Africa. Some 150 cyclists are expected to participate, including regional teams from Gauteng, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, as well as a large turnout of local riders.
“Western Cape Cycling is delighted that the Pedal Power Association has stepped up as the primary sponsor of the Omnium,” said Corné Bence, Chairman of Western Cape Cycling. The Western Province Cycling Association, regional body for cycling in the Cape Metropole region and organiser of the Track Championships, see the PPA as a key partner in developing cycling in the region.
“The Pedal Power Association is committed to promote cycling and the interests of cyclists,” said PPA Chairman Steve Hayward. “Although a large portion of our focus lies with recreational cycling and cycling advocacy, we are really happy that we can assist competitive cyclists in this way,” he added. “We wish Western Cape Cycling success with the Omnium and Championships and look forward to seeing some great racing on the track.”
An omnium (from Latin: ‘of all’, ‘belonging to all’) consists of multiple races. The omnium was in 2007 re-introduced into the World Championships as a five-race format for men, and in 2009 for women. In 2010 the omnium was changed by the UCI to include the elimination race while the distances of the events were lengthened to favour endurance cyclists. Since 2014, the omnium consists of the scratch race, individual pursuit, elimination race, time trial, flying lap and points race. Participants receive points for each event, with the winner of the omnium being the rider with the highest total number of points at the end of the event.
Track events has recently attracted more than the usual road riders, who see it as an opportunity to improve their form.
Spectators are welcome to attend any of the races and entrance is always for free. Expect thrills and spills as track cycling consists of short, close-contact high speed racing. For more information, please see the event calender or contact Christhonie Geldenhuys on 082 6714099.
[lightbox link=”http://www.wpcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/SA-Omnium-2015-Banner.png” thumb=”http://www.wpcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/SA-Omnium-2015-Banner.png” width=”960″ align=”center” title=”SA Omnium 2015 Banner” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]