If you enjoy a challenge you have to make sure that you are on the start line of the Itec North Dome2Dome Cycling Spectacular in Johannesburg on 13 September.

The Dome2Dome now boasts 91km and 40km route options. The 91km route replaces the former 116km ride. The organisers, Perx Sports, applied to the Alpha Pharm Seeding Series for a reduced distance and, given the tough route, they received the go-ahead to do a 91km.

This makes the Dome2Dome the shortest Argus qualifier, but certainly not the easiest. The new route takes in 4 big climbs on the outskirts of the West Rand and it remains a tough test for any cyclist.

Hanco Kachelhoffer (Medscheme), who won the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge in Pietermaritzburg at the weekend, rates the Dome2Dome as a must-do for any serious road cyclist.

“What I enjoy about the race is that it is tough, but anybody who has put in some solid training will be able to finish comfortably. There is always a sense of achievement if one finishes the Dome2Dome,” said Kachelhoffer who finished 3rd last year.

“I am so serious about racing the Dome2Dome that I sold my house in Pretoria and moved to Ruimsig because that gives me the opportunity to train on the route! Just joking, but I do enjoy going out on the Dome2Dome route for training sessions.”

A lot has been said about the fact that the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge is Johannesburg’s toughest race. But, according to Rob van der Valk, who is part of the Dome2Dome organizing committee, if one compares the route profiles of the Cycle Challenge and Dome2Dome there is not much difference in the amount of climbing to be done.

“I think Johannesburg is privileged to present two of the greatest races on the local cycling calendar. The only real difference between the two races is the fact that the 94.7 is a city race while with Dome2Dome we take the cyclists also out into the countryside.

“As with the 94.7 the safety of the cyclists is really important to us. That’s the other reason why we made some changes to the route of the longer race. On the way to Krugersdorp we made sure that we will be using some of the quieter roads.”

When pushed to say which of the Dome2Dome and 94.7 is the true test for a cyclist who loves a challenge, Kachelhoffer said that his vote will go towards the Dome2Dome.

“One just has to look at the times of the race winners for the two races - that tells the whole story.”

Kachelhoffer said the secret to racing a good Dome2Dome is not to get carried away early on during the race.

“Any cyclist going out hard from the beginning will pay the price in the end. I have learned the hard way that the Dome2Dome is won in the last 10 kilometres. So, for us in the professional teams, it will be important to have as many riders as possible left in contention when the serious racing begins.”

Entries and further information on the Itec North Dome2Dome Cycling Spectacular is available on www.dome2dome.co.za