Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust

What Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust does

The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust is a South African charitable trust, founded in 1999 (operating the event since 1978), that organises the Cape Town Cycle Tour — the world's largest individually timed cycling event — held annually in March over a fully closed-road 109km route circumnavigating the Cape Peninsula, including Chapman's Peak Drive and Cape Point Nature Reserve. A 42km short route, introduced in 2023, and the 2025-launched Prelude Challenge (a remote 109km virtual option via STRAVA) broaden the addressable market. The 2026 edition attracted 29,000 cyclists, with stated intent to return to the pre-pandemic 35,000-rider capacity, supported by a partnership with international sports agency Golazo and the 2026 designation as the first and only UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifier on the African continent.

The trust's core technology stack is third-party: SportSplits Tracker Mobile App for real-time participant tracking, FinishTime high-frequency road timing for individually timed results, the online.entries.co.za registration portal, and live broadcast streaming across Facebook, YouTube, and Primedia+. Distinctive platform offerings include the SkinScan melanoma screening programme (a world-first dermatologist-led dermatoscope screening initiative, in partnership with Clicks and the Western Cape Department of Health) and a national seeding race network of over 15 qualifying events feeding participant flow into the main tour.

The business model is multi-stream: individual entry fees (R940 general, R1,700 international, R1,150 African continental, R700 PPA member for 2027 early entries), corporate group entries, charity group entries via the Cycle For A Cause programme (12+ registered charity partners), Expo exhibition stand rentals at the Lifecycle Expo (Africa's largest health and fitness exhibition, acting as the sole race registration venue), and a sponsor/partner stack led by Standard Bank (presenting partner) alongside Clicks, Garmin, Oakley, Mediclinic, Dis-chem, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, and Virgin Active. Surplus proceeds are distributed to the Pedal Power Association and the Rotary Club of Claremont, with cumulative charitable distributions exceeding R130 million since inception.

Name

Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust

Legal name

Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust

Website

https://capetowncycletourtrust.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust is a South African charitable trust that organises the world's largest individually timed cycling event — a 109km mass-participation race around the Cape Peninsula with full road closures, serving 29,000 recreational, elite, and international cyclists annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mass-Participation Cycling Event Management

NAICS

Racetracks (711212), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Cycling Events (Road Races, Gran Fondos, Sportives) (MPAKAIAC)

Keywords

• Mass-participation cycling events
• Charity fundraising events
• Cycling race organization
• Sports event management
• Health screening programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. General Entry Fees (109km): Individual cyclist entries for the 109km main event. General Entry is R940 per rider for early entries in 2027. International entries are R1,700. African Continental entries are R1,150. PPA Members receive a discounted rate of R700.
2. Corporate Group Entries: Corporate team entries for the 109km or 42km routes. Applications close 31 January 2026. Includes corporate hospitality packages.
3. Charity Group Entries: Charity groups recruit riders who raise funds for cause-related organisations. Riders join charity groups for the purpose of social upliftment fundraising.
4. Prelude Challenge Entries: Remote 109km completion option for international riders or those unable to attend race day. Participants enter via the primary entry portal and upload STRAVA activity.
5. Expo Exhibition Stand Rental: The Lifecycle Expo (largest health and fitness exhibition in Africa) rents exhibition stands to cycling brands and suppliers. Stand prices range from R3,500 to higher amounts depending on size. Includes shell scheme, lighting, plug point, and carpeting.
6. Expo Non-Rider Entry Fees: Non-participating adult visitors pay R50 to enter the Expo. Children under 12 enter free.
7. Sponsor and Partner Contributions: Sponsors including Standard Bank (presenting partner), Virgin Active, Garmin, Oakley, MediClinic, Dis-chem, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, and others contribute financial and in-kind support in exchange for brand exposure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust organizes and operates the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the world's largest individually timed cycling event. It runs a flagship 109km mass-participation route around the Cape Peninsula and a 42km shorter route, supported by the Lifecycle Expo, charity fundraising through Cycle for a Cause, the Prelude Challenge virtual ride, the SkinScan melanoma screening initiative, and UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualification pathways.

Product overview

The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust operates as an event organization delivering mass-participation cycling events. The core offerings include the 109km Cape Town Cycle Tour (the world's largest timed cycling event) and the 42km shorter route introduced in 2023. Supporting services include the Expo/Exhibition (Africa's largest health and fitness exhibition serving as registration venue), Cycle for a Cause charitable program, Training Plans, Bike Transport Services, a Tracking App (SportSplits), Media Accreditation, Corporate Entries, and the innovative SkinScan melanoma screening initiative. The Prelude Challenge enables virtual global participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cape Town Cycle Tour 109km The flagship mass-participation cycling event featuring a 109km route circumnavigating the Cape Peninsula with full road closures, attracting approximately 30,000 riders annually and offering UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualification.
• Cape Town Cycle Tour 42km A shorter 42km route looping from Cape Town city centre to Tokai along the M3 and back, providing an accessible cycling option for beginners, junior riders, and those preferring a less demanding challenge.
• Prelude Challenge Remote virtual participation option allowing cyclists worldwide to complete 109km within 7 hours (outdoor or stationary bike) and upload to STRAVA to earn official finisher credit and medal.
• SkinScan Initiative World-first melanoma risk screening programme combining online risk assessment with in-person dermatologist dermatoscope skin scans at the Lifecycle Expo, identifying 20 malignant melanomas among 881 participants in 2026.
• Lifecycle Expo Pre-race health and fitness exhibition at DHL Stadium serving as the only race registration venue and featuring cycling gear, technology, nutrition products, and demos from over 100 cycling brands and exhibitors.
• Cycle for a Cause Charity group program enabling cyclists to raise funds for participating charitable organisations while riding the event, with over 12 registered charity partners across education, healthcare, animal welfare, and conservation.
• Corporate Entries Corporate group applications enabling businesses to enter teams in the 109km or 42km event with dedicated hospitality packages and group management support. Applications close 31 January each year.
• Bike Transport Services Official long-haul bike transport partner service providing secure transportation of bicycles to the event from major South African cities including Johannesburg, Durban, and Bloemfontein, via partners such as Night Trans, Joggie's Bicycle Transport, and Echelon Bike Transporters.
• SportSplits Tracking App SportSplits Tracker Mobile App enabling friends and family to track participants in real-time during the event via GPS.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over R130 million distributed to charity beneficiaries since inception
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• GolazocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025International sports and events agency with extensive experience producing large-scale events across Europe and Africa, including the UCI Road World Championships (2021), African Cycling Championships (2024), and Diamond League athletics in Brussels. Golazo enhances the Cape Town Cycle Tour's global profile, attracts international participants, and supports growth back to the pre-pandemic 35,000-rider capacity. Bruce Parker-Forsyth serves as CEO of Golazo South Africa.
• Dr Dagmar Whitaker and Dr Michael MolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Jointly originated the SkinScan initiative with Cape Town Cycle Tour CEO David Bellairs. Dr Whitaker is a renowned Cape Town dermatologist; Dr Mol is a Healthspan Physician. Together they transformed the conviction that the world's largest individually timed cycling event could serve as a platform for world-class preventative healthcare into reality.
• Standard BankflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting partner of the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Standard Bank's sustainability partnership focuses on three pillars: (1) environmental support through eco-friendly event practices, (2) directing proceeds to social causes and environmental conservation, and (3) supporting SME clients through the sustainable transition. Standard Bank's Business and Commercial Banking provides tailored financial products for SMEs navigating sustainability.
• ClicksflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerHeadline sponsor of the SkinScan initiative, a world-first melanoma screening programme at the Expo. Clicks, South Africa's leading beauty, health and wellness retailer, funds the programme with support from skincare and sun protection brands including Eucerin, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, Dermalogica, Cipla, and ISDIN. The programme delivered 881 dermatologist screenings in 2026, detecting 20 malignant melanomas. Managing Executive: Bongiwe Ntuli.
• SANParks (South African National Parks)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost partner providing access to the Cape Point Nature Reserve section of the 109km route. The route traverses through the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park.
• City of Cape TowncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost partner and local government authority providing road closure permissions, municipal support, and the Grand Parade start precinct. The Executive Mayor of Cape Town (Geordin Hill-Lewis) participates annually and publicly endorses the event as a showcase of the city's beauty and cycling-friendly infrastructure.
• Western Cape GovernmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost partner providing provincial government support. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has endorsed the UCI Gran Fondo World Series recognition as significant for the province's sporting destination status.
• Cycling South Africa (CyclingSA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational governing body for cycling in South Africa that endorses and sanctions the Cape Town Cycle Tour as an official cycling event.
• Pedal Power AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of two primary trust beneficiaries. Uses surplus proceeds from the Cycle Tour to support cycling development and safe cycling initiatives in South Africa. Also endorses the event.
• Rotary Club of ClaremontcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of two primary trust beneficiaries. Uses surplus proceeds from the Cycle Tour to support social upliftment projects in the Western Cape community.
• Virgin ActivemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupplier sponsor providing health and fitness brand association with the event. Virgin Active is a major South African gym and fitness chain.
• GarminmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupplier sponsor and technology partner providing GPS cycling computers, wearables, bike radars, and heart rate monitors. Garmin's Varia radar is recommended as essential safety kit for cyclists.
• OakleymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupplier sponsor providing performance eyewear for the event. Multiple stands at the Expo.
• MedicliniccoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMedical partner providing event medical services including Mediclinic medical stations along the route, a 20-bed field hospital at the finish line with a 4-bed ICU, 64 nurses, 25 doctors, 9 medical motorbikes, and 1 medical helicopter. Dr Darren Green serves as Medical Director for the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
• Dis-chemmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupplier sponsor and retailer with extensive Expo presence (multiple large stands). Major South African health and wellness retail chain.
• Coca-Cola Peninsula BeveragesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage sponsor supplying 50,000 litres of Powerade, 50,000 litres of Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola No Sugar, and 100,000 litres of water across 14 refreshment stations at the 2025 event.
• ThulemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupplier sponsor providing the secure Thule Bike Park at the finish line at Green Point Cricket Fields for secure bicycle storage during the event.
• SportSplitscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing the Tracker Mobile App for real-time tracking of participants by friends and family during the event.
• FinishTimecoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing high-frequency road timing system for individually timed results. Timing boards available for purchase at R150 at Expo info tents.
• ComtelcoreTechnology or IntegrationIT and Connectivity partner providing Wi-Fi at the Start and Finish Villages.
• SouthernSunminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred travel partner providing accommodation options for out-of-town participants.
• Pedal Power AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharity beneficiary and cycling development organisation that also manages PPA Member discounted entry rates (R700 vs R940 for general entries).
• CapeTalk and KFMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partners providing radio and digital media coverage of the event through Primedia+ streaming platform and live broadcasts.
• UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body that designated the Cape Town Cycle Tour as a UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifying event in 2026, making it the first and only such event on the African continent. Riders qualify for UCI Gran Fondo World Championships through age-group performance.
• NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWater safety partner with a stand at the Expo, contributing to the event's comprehensive safety ecosystem.
• Night TransmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial long-haul bike transport partner with over 25 years of experience transporting bikes to the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Granted exclusive space within P4 area at Green Point Precinct. Contact: Lorraine White 072 873 2662.
• Joggie's Bicycle TransportmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial long-haul bike transport partner. Professional race-ready service. Contact: Poer Cloete 0823882287.
• Echelon Bike TransportersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBike transport service from Gauteng with up to 10 convenient drop-off points in Gauteng. Bicycles delivered fully assembled. Contact: Mike Sema / Letshego Zulu 061 565 0231.
• CiovitaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensee partner providing cycling apparel, including upcycled inner tube products. Multiple stands at the Expo.
• Western Cape Department of HealthcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment health partner ensuring that free, expert dermatological screening through the SkinScan initiative was accessible to every cyclist who needed it.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UCI Gran Fondo World Series: The umbrella series of which the Cape Town Cycle Tour is the largest qualifier. Both operate mass-participation timed cycling events where age-group riders earn qualification to the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, making them directly comparable in format and target participant.
• Maratona dles Dolomites: One of the world's largest and most prestigious mass-participation gran fondo cycling events in the Italian Dolomites. Directly comparable in scale (thousands of riders), scenic-route positioning, and amateur competitive road cycling appeal.
• Pedal Power Association (PPA) Funride: A 95km / 40km mass-participation road cycling event run by Pedal Power Association, which is itself a primary beneficiary of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust. Highly comparable in audience, format, and South African charity-aligned positioning.
• Comrades Marathon Association: South Africa's flagship mass-participation ultra-endurance event (89-90km). Directly comparable as a South African charitable trust-organized, closed-road, individually-timed mass-participation endurance event of national significance.
• L'Étape by Le Tour de France: A global series of mass-participation amateur cycling events modeled on Tour de France stages. Directly comparable recreational road-cycling event format targeting amateur enthusiasts who want a closed-road, professionally-organized ride experience.

Regional players

• Rhodes Quality Winelands Cycle Race: A 102km road race in the Western Cape that functions as a seeding race for the Cape Town Cycle Tour. It serves the same South African recreational and competitive cycling demographic with a comparable road-race structure.
• Cycle for Life / Tour de Brisbane: Australia's largest recreational cycling event, a charity-aligned mass-participation ride. Comparable in cause-driven positioning, road-closure operating model, and community fundraising integration.
• Amashova National Classic: A 132km / 106km seeded road cycling race in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Listed as an official seeding race for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, it targets the same domestic road-cycling enthusiast segment with similar closed-road, mass-participation format.
• Dis-Chem Ride for Sight Cycle Race: A 116km Gauteng-based road cycling event that doubles as a Retina South Africa fundraiser. Operates a similar charity-aligned, mass-participation road cycling format and is an official seeding race for the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

Emerging players

• Marathon des Sables: A globally recognized mass-participation endurance event operator. Comparable only at the level of operating a flagship, large-scale, individually-timed endurance event with strong brand recognition and international participant base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CTCycleTour
• YouTubeyoutube.com/capetowncycletour
• Facebookfacebook.com/CapeTownCycleTour
• Instagraminstagram.com/ctcycletour
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cape-town-cycle-tour-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust