May 7, 2007 – After four months of cycling 12,000 kilometers across Africa, the riders of the 2007 Tour d’Afrique Bicycle Race/Expedition will cross the official Finish Line at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Saturday, May 12.

“The sense of achievement felt by each and every participant cycling those last few meters of the 12,000-kilometre event is beyond words.” said Toronto’s Henry Gold, founder of the world’s longest and most grueling bicycle event. “It is one of those rare moments in life when everything seems to be crystal clear, when you feel secure about yourself, your life path, your place in the world and when you say to yourself “˜After this, I can do anything’.”

The annual trans-continental bicycle race & expedition which travels from Cairo to Cape Town through ten African countries will be welcomed by the Mayor, Helen Zille and Andrew Wheeldon of the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) who will cycle together on a tandem through the city with the riders before entering the Waterfront.

While Tour d’Afrique is first and foremost an endurance event for professional and amateur cyclists alike, its mandate is to assist desperately ill people in some of the poorest nations in the world receive better health care while simultaneously proliferating the bicycle as a viable means of transportation.

“Over the past five years, together with BEN and other partners, the Tour d’Afrique Foundation has donated and distributed over 600 bicycles to HIV/Aids Health Care Workers through Africa,” said Gold, “but preserving the environment and combating global warming by cycling, walking and using public transport as often as possible is the message we’re putting out.”

“We applaud the cyclists of the Tour d’Afrique for their efforts to prove that it is possible to cross the length of an entire continent by bicycle.” said Andrew Wheeldon, Managing Director of BEN. “We could all take the lead and make a real difference in our communities by following their example.”

“Cities all over the world are beginning to realise that a rational approach towards sustainable transportation is essential for the future of the planet and the health of its people.” said Mayor, Helen Zille. “We are working closely with BEN and the Non-Motorized Transportation Committee to turn Cape Town into a cycle friendly city and in the process, secure a more sustainable and healthy home for us all in the Western Cape.”

For the first time since its inception five year ago, a documentary is being produced of the world’s longest bicycle race. “Thanks to the generosity of Toyota South Africa who donated the use of a Toyota Fortuner, our international film crew has been able to document the event under very challenging circumstances.” said Henry Gold. “We are honoured to be associated with this world-leading vehicle manufacturer”. The documentary is scheduled for world wide distribution in the second half of the year.

The 40 intrepid cyclists representing 12 countries will be welcomed by the Mayor, friends, family and supporters as they ride across the Finish Line at Quay 6 at the Waterfront at around 14:00 on Saturday 12th May.

Performers, dancers and musicians from the African nations on the Tour’s route will entertain the crowds at the Amphitheatre from 10:00am until the cyclists take the stage at 14:30 to receive their medals.

Registration for Tour d’Afrique 2008 has opened. For cyclists considering participating in next year’s Tour, an Information Evening and Fund Raising Dinner will be held at Forty Ate on Tuesday 15th May.