MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - Due to the popularity of the annual Kremetart Cycling Race, hosted by the Soutpansberg Cycling Club, the club has decided to start organising this year's race much earlier.

The 4-stage race over a distance of 172 kilometres is rated by cyclists as being better than other well-known races, such as the Cape Argus. Since last year's race, the organisers, as well as the municipal caravan park manager, have been inundated with enquiries from cyclists from all parts of the country, wanting to book accommodation for this year's race on Saturday, June 5. This has never happened as early as January before.

As a result of this pressure from riders, the club has advanced its plans by two months and on-line booking of entries for the race will be accepted within a week. Apart from this, the club for the first time has an advertising budget to promote the race and is expecting to more than double the entries of last year, to 1 000 riders in the main event and another 500 riders in the two subsidiary events. This could result in up to 3 000 visitors spending the weekend in the town.

Owners and managers of accommodation establishments are requested to send in the details of the available accommodation, including any special rates they may offer, to the race organiser, in order that their details may be displayed on the website, where 90% of the participants enter for the race. They may fax the information to Tel (015) 516 0387 or e-mail it to [email protected]