MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - Pre-entries for the Kremetart close on Friday, May 28, and cyclists are involved in a last minute rush to get their entries in on time.

The cyclists who plan their lives, the masters, veterans and sub-veterans, all entered the Kremetart some time ago. On the other hand, race organizers are now receiving the usual frantic queries from the juniors and seniors who do things at the last minute.

The question asked by some riders at this stage, is: "What is the prize money?" These are the "elite riders" who have come to race and to win. The competition is going to be fierce. Last year's winner, the star from Nelspruit, Nico Bell, is riding very well and is extremely fit. He will have his work cut out for him as the maximum possible earnings for one man or woman is just over R10 000. This sum has attracted a field of the best riders in the country.

The race is unique in its distribution of prize money, as half goes to the women. So far, out of the field of 1 000 riders already entered, 150 are women and a further 40 will be as partners on the 44 tandems. Most of the women's team selected to ride a six-day stage race in Italy at the end of June will be riding the Kremetart as part of their preparation. Last year's winner, Alti Pienaar, will be out to show that the selectors made a mistake in not selecting her for the Italian adventure.

Not only are riders coming from all nine provinces of South Africa to take part, but the race has now taken on a truly international flavour with riders from Mauritius, Mozambique and Zimbabwe having entered. One cyclist, David Kleynhans, who rode the Cape Argus three times (a total of 321km) within a 12 hour period, is riding from Cape Town via Knysna to Louis Trichardt to take part.

Line entries will be taken at registration but the cost of a line entry goes up to R200 for the main event. The cost of the subsidiary events on the line remains the same at R60 for the 72km and R30 for the fun ride.

Registration will take place at the info centre on the corner of Songozwi Street and the N1, just 200m from the caravan park where 800 people will be staying.