YOU know you onto a good thing when two of the country’s hottest cycling teams commit themselves to your national event months ahead of time.

Dan Taylor, organiser of the Daily Dispatch Felt Cycle Tour, was chuffed at the news that teams MTN Energade and Neotel will enter for an event that embraces a 100km race and a 46km fun ride to be staged in Buffalo City on February 22.

“All I can say right now is that it’s all systems go for the event and entries are now open for people to join what will be one of the sporting highlights of the year,” said Taylor.

“I can confirm that two of the country’s top teams, the MTN Energade and Neotel, will be coming.

“They are two so far, but we expect more to enter.”

Each cycle team will comprise five riders and with two of South Africa’s best cycling talents, David George and Kevin Evans, in tow, the MTN Energade will have a huge advantage on the other competitors.

The race is linked to the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour through a seeding system, which comes into effect for the 2010 Argus race.

Another positive development is that Alpha Pharm, the healthcare company, has sponsored R100000 prize-money for the seeding series with the cyclist accumulating the most points through the various races cashing in.

Taylor said there will be a festival of cycling as never seen in the city in a long time for that weekend starting on February 21 with the Garmin MTB Challenge, a 65km Challenge and 30km fun ride, and the Kat Leisure Mini Tour – a 5km fun ride and a 1km scooter dash – a day before the big race.

“We are anticipating about 3000 entries for the whole event,” said Taylor.

“Another plus is that the road closure to Berlin has been confirmed and this no doubt will encourage people around the country to come to the event.

“They will look forward to racing in a new city and environment. All this will elevate our city’s profile and the stature of the race.”

Taylor said they have had regular meetings with the Buffalo City Municipality to ensure no stone is left unturned to ensure their preparations are top-notch for such a prestigious event.

“The BCM have been very supportive to get it off the ground, and like us, they want to profile the city as a world-class sports destination,” said Taylor.

“The winningtime timing system is used for all seeding events and we would like to encourage people to enter early so that we can seed entrants correctly for the Daily Dispatch Felt Cycle Tour.

“This cycling event will be good for tourism and should encourage people to come for the entire weekend and this is also a good marketing strategy for the province in line with the 2010 World Cup project.”

Eventpro, Taylor’s company’s main goal is to get events like the Daily Dispatch Felt Cycle Tour to attract as many people as it can to the Eastern Cape. “Our goal is to have events of national and international standard which will encourage the competitors to bring their friends and families and return to our city.”

If you want to enter the event then visit the website on www.dispatchfeltcycle.co.za or you can do so at East London cycle shops. Entries close on February 15. - By KARIEM HASSAN