South African cycling has been hit by the news that its national Tour has been cancelled after just one edition, leading to a gap in the calendar in 2012. Last year saw the first holding of the Cell C Tour of South Africa, won by Rapha Condor Sharp rider Kristian House, and it was expected that the event would continue to grow.
Instead, the national federation has announced that no race will take place next year. “According to Primedia, Cycling South Africa’s commercial partners entrusted with securing the funding for the Tour, various critical milestones have not been achieved – the unavailability of sufficient financial funding being one of the most important criteria,” it said in a statement.
“This is clearly as a direct result of the current economic climate around the globe and the continuing challenge major sporting events face in securing adequate sponsorship.”
It said that the decision has been taken to cancel the race, but that it hopes that it will be held again at some point in the future. The race was due to be held between February 19th and 26th.
The loss of the event follows the cancellation of the long-running Giro del Capo, which began in 1992. Last November the organiser Dave Bellairs said that he was forced to stop it, saying that he was unable to secure a sponsor for the race.
At the time he apportioned part of the blame to Cycling South Africa, saying that the running of the Cell C Tour of South Africa had helped make things very difficult for his event.
“As far as I'm concerned, it is a mistake to try and have two international cycling tours within one week in South Africa. This isn't Europe where you can host big races week after week,” he stated.
“Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that the Tour of South Africa will finally become a reality. That will be an exciting race. I just think that the management of CSA should have thought more about the date of the two races.”
Cycling South Africa denied that this was a factor. One year on, though, the 2012 calendar is now left without both of the races.