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UPDATE – Organisers have sadly confirmed a third death linked to yesterday’s race. Details here.

Yesterday saw 35 000 riders compete in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the world’s largest cycle race, with tragedy striking on two separate occasions.

Two cyclists died during the 109 kilometre route, with their names being withheld at the request of their families.

Sport24 below:

David Bellairs, Marketing, Media and Sponsorship Director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, said the death of two cyclists were tragic.

“The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust is sad to confirm that today, during the 40th riding of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, there were two incidents that have resulted in the passing of two of our participants,” he said.

“The first was a trauma incident just before 9:00 this morning on the M3 southbound in which a group of 20 cyclists was involved in a pileup. One of the cyclists succumbed to the injuries he sustained in this incident. His family has asked that we respect their privacy at this time and we will not be releasing his name.”

“In the second incident a male participant succumbed to a suspected heart attack at Smitswinkel Bay at approximately 10:22. Once again we are respecting the family’s wishes and not releasing his name”.

“Our most sincere condolences go out to the families of both these participants.”

Such a tragedy, and a reminder of just how gruelling a race the Cycle Tour can be.

Western Cape police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said that inquest dockets have been opened for each of the deaths, and lists the two as a 69-year-old man and a 41-year-old man.

Sincerest condolences to all affected.

In terms of how the title went, here’s IntoCycling with those details:

At the sharp end of the field Nolan Hoffman (Team BCX) out-sprinted Sam Gaze (Investec-Songo-Specialized) and Reynard Butler (Pro Touch) to win his third title in a time of 02:37:30. (Sam Gaze won the MTB World Cup yesterday, the Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge – winning the Cape Town Cycle Tour would have made for a phenomenal triple.)

The women’s race saw a pioneering first when the elite and u23 women riders were offered the option of a 76 kilometre race, starting in Glencairn. This shorter route ensured a clear run all the way to the finish for the women.

In the end, Kim Le Court (Demacon) took the bunch sprint ahead of Namibia’s Vera Adrian (DormaKaba) and track star Maroesjka Matthew (Ciovita).

EWN put together this video of the race, focusing on winners Hoffman and Le Court:

[sources:sport24&intocycling&ewn]