2009 Giro del Capo confirmed

After months of uncertainty, the Cape Argus PPA Giro del Capo presented by the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust will take place March 4 to March 8 in Cape Town, South Africa.

"Following agonizing negotiations and discussions in last ditch efforts to secure a title sponsor for the Giro, the event has been cast a lifeline by the Pedal Power Association (PPA)" explained David Bellairs, Co-Director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust.

PPA is the founder and owner of the Giro del Capo. They, together with the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, will provide the necessary financial and logistical support in order to ensure the event remains on the 2009 cycling calendar.

"We will continue to explore all possible avenues in order to secure a title sponsor for the Giro del Capo in 2010. South Africa found itself at risk of being isolated from international competition on home turf with the cancellation of the Tour of South Africa and the postponement of the 2009 World's View Challenge. It became so important to run the Giro because it's our country's only other internationally recognised stage race," Bellairs said.

Bellairs confirmed that there has already been much interest from foreign teams wishing to participate, including South African Robbie Hunter, winner of the 2008 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, and his Barloworld team.

The fifth and final stage of the 2009 Giro del Capo has been incorporated into the Cycle Tour which will see the Giro del Capo lead 35,000 cyclists around the picturesque Cape Peninsula.

For entry enquiries e-mail Tony Roberts at robic@mweb.co.za and for general enquiries e-mail Helane Meintjes at helane@cycletour.co.za.