The Virgin Active Ride Joburg (formally known as the 94.7 cycle challenge)[3] is the world's second-largest timed cycle race, after the Cape Argus Cycle Race.[4] It is held annually on cycle challenge Sunday, the third Sunday of November in the South African city of Johannesburg. Between 20,000 and 30,000 participants complete the challenging 94.7 km (58.8 mi) course every year. The event's main sponsors are 947 (radio station) and Virgin Active (In previous years, Momentum.)[5]

Virgin Active Ride Joburg
Race details
Datemid-November
RegionJohannesburg, South Africa
English nameVirgin Active Ride Joburg
Nickname(s)Ride Joburg
DisciplineRoad, Mountain Bike and Children's cycling events
TypeOne-day
Race directorFritz Pienaar [1]
History
First edition1997 (1997)[2]
Editions26

The Virgin Active Ride Joburg Mountain Bike Challenge is held the weekend before the road race. It consists of two distances; a 30 km (19 mi) race and a 55 km (34 mi) race. In 2012 a 40 km (25 mi) fun ride was introduced and took place the day before the Mountain Bike Challenge.

Past winners

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Arran Brown, winner of 2 Challenges, after placing third in 2012
Year Country Rider Team
1997   South Africa Nicholas White
1998   South Africa Ryan Cox
1999   South Africa Robert Hunter
2000   South Africa Malcolm Lange
2001   South Africa Malcolm Lange
2002   South Africa Daniel Spence
2003   South Africa Ian McLeod
2004   Italy Antonio Salomone
2005   South Africa Darren Lill
2006   Slovakia Martin Velits[6]
2007   South Africa Herman Fouche Team Konica Minolta[7]
2008   South Africa Malcolm Lange Team MTN
2009   South Africa Arran Brown Medscheme[8]
2010   South Africa Nicholas White Medscheme[9]
2011   South Africa Arran Brown MTN–Qhubeka
2012   South Africa Reinardt Janse van Rensburg MTN–Qhubeka
2013   South Africa Willie Smit Team Bonitas
2014   Namibia Till Drobisch MTN–Qhubeka WCC Feeder Team
2015   South Africa Stefan de Bod MTN–Qhubeka Feeder Team
2016   South Africa Brendon Davids Swiss Cycles
2017   South Africa Daryl Impey Orica–Scott
2018   South Africa Brandon Downes Team BCX
2019   South Africa Marc Pritzen Office Guru
2020   South Africa Gustav Basson ProTouch
2021   South Africa Travis Stedman Shesha Fuels Racing
2022   South Africa Reinardt Janse van Rensburg Lotto-Soudal
2023   South Africa Marc Pritzen Honey Comb
 
Sharon Laws winning the 2012 women's Challenge

Women

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Year Country Rider Team
2000   South Africa Mari Rogers
2001   South Africa Mari Rogers
2002   South Africa Wanda Ariano
2003   South Africa Samantha Bounds
2004   South Africa Samantha Bounds
2005   South Africa Lisa Vermaak
2006   South Africa Yolandi du Toit
2007   South Africa Anriëtte Schoeman
2008   South Africa Anriëtte Schoeman [10]
2009   South Africa Joanna Van De Winkel
2010   South Africa Cherise Taylor
2011   South Africa Ashleigh Moolman Team Nashua Toyota
2012   Great Britain Sharon Laws Momentum Toyota
2013   South Africa Ashleigh Moolman Momentum Toyota
2014   Netherlands Marianne Vos Rabo–Liv
2015   South Africa Ashleigh Moolman Bigla Pro Cycling Team
2016   Germany Charlotte Becker Team Hitec Products
2017   South Africa Ashleigh Moolman Bia Africa mixed team
2018   South Africa Carla Oberholzer Demacon
2019   South Africa Carla Oberholzer Demacon MaxWax
2021   South Africa Ashleigh Moolman Pasio SD Worx
2022   Namibia Vera Looser InstaFund Racing
2023   South Africa Carla Oberholzer Sandton City Cycle Nation

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "94.7 Cycle Challenge factsheet". Archived from the original on 14 December 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  2. ^ "Gauteng.net, 94.7 Cycle Challenge". Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  3. ^ "NEW OWNER FOR 947 RIDE JOBURG". Ride Joburg. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Big Rides: 30,000 In South Africa". PezCycling News. 29 November 2006. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  5. ^ Madumo, Lesego (19 September 2008). "Cycle challenge deadline extended". city of johannesburg > news archive. Retrieved 19 November 2008.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Cycle Challenge: 10 out of 10, November 21, 2006". Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  7. ^ "Another success for Cycle Challenge, November 19, 2007". Archived from the original on 30 October 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  8. ^ "94.7 Cycle Challenge Results website". Archived from the original on 18 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  9. ^ "Team Medscheme end season on 35 wins".
  10. ^ "Anriette Proves Pocket Rocket Power, Gsport for Girls. November 17, 2008". Retrieved 23 June 2009.[permanent dead link]
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