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PREMIER OF THE WESTERN CAPE, GERALD MORKEL, WILL FIRE THE START GUN AT PICK 'N PAY CAPE ARGUS CYCLE TOUR
The Premier of the Western Cape, Gerald Morkel, will fire the start gun at the 24th Pick 'n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour and opening event of the world renowned Golden Bike Series in Cape Town in the early hours of Sunday morning, 11 March 2001.
Mr Morkel, thrilled to be once again associated with the largest timed cycle event in the world, says the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour provides a phenomenal economic injection for the Western Cape. The tour also plays an important role in promoting our province as a prime health tourism region and Cape Town as the environmental capital of Africa. The Cycle Tour has matured into a 10-day cycling festival with close to 80 000 cycling enthusiasts and supporters flocking to Cape Town. Mr Morkel says the Western Cape has over the years provided ample proof that it has the capacity, infrastructure, people, dedication and enthusiasm to make the event a tremendously successful one, as well as an unforgettable experience for every cyclist.
He says as Premier of the Western Cape it makes him proud to learn that the Pick 'n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour has just joined the golden ranks of cycling in becoming the opening event of the Golden Bike Series. "It is no longer just one of the premier events on the South African and international cycling calendar. It is now part of an elite group of international recreational cycling events," said Morkel.
Mr Morkel welcomes the close to 40 000 participants who arrived in Cape Town to take part in the Cycle Tour, of whom more than half are from outside the Western Cape. He thanks them, as well as the organisers, sponsors and volunteers, for the months of preparation, sweat and hard work, and wishes them all the best for the event.
After the Premier fires the start gun he will join Cape Town Mayor Peter Marais, sponsors and organisers for an informal breakfast, a helicopter trip over the Carnival Grounds in Green Point and a tour of the Joint Operations Centre. Mr Morkel will participate in the prize giving ceremony in the afternoon. He will also officiate at the final prize award ceremony of the Pick 'n Pay Giro del Capo Five-Day International Cycle Race on Saturday, 10 March 2001, at the top of Kloof Nek, Cape Town.
Enquiries: Riana Geldenhuys at 021 483 4705/ 082 367 4709
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape, 7 March 2001