Cyclists compete in the Cape Town Cycle Tour on March 8, 2020 in Cape Town, the largest timed cycling event in the world with about 35000 entrants taking part. (RODGER BOSCH / AFP)

CAPE TOWN - The world-famous Cape Town Cycle Tour took place on Sunday, witnessing more than 30,000 entrants from different countries and regions.

The event is designed to raise public awareness for wildlife protection as well as to raise money for charity.

With perfect weather conditions and a 15-minute delay as the sun arrived late, the race got off to a furious pace as everyone tried to get out front.

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Travis Barrett, a South African, won the men's title of the 42nd Cape Argus Cycle tour, and Cherise Willeit, also South African, won her fifth title of the event.

This amazing event brings 500 million rand (about US$32 million) to the economy. It raises huge amounts of money for charity, in actuality, more so than other events

Alan Winde, Premier, Western Cape Province

In the men's race, an in-form Barrett beat former South African winner Clint Hendricks to the post by a tire width, while local Capetonian Jayde Julius came in third.

Janse van Rensburg from South Africa finished the women's race in second place and former trail runner, Hayley Preen finished third.

"This amazing event brings 500 million rand (about US$32 million) to the economy. It raises huge amounts of money for charity, in actuality, more so than other events," said Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape Province.

Winde, who also took part in the race, said he did it because he was a diabetic and the exercise helps him fight the disease.

"I also do it for the Atlas Foundation, whose members work in many countries around the world. Here in the Western Cape they raise money for Rugby, for kids in Ocean View/Masipumulele/Atlantis area," Winde told Xinhua.

Catherine Colyn, a cycling fan from Cape Town, said the Cape Town Cycle Tour does amazing things for the Western Cape community, "because sport does bring people together."

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Organizers said all proceeds from the tour and its sub-events in the Lifecycle Week will go to its two beneficiaries, namely the Pedal Power Association (PPA) and the Rotary Club of Claremont (RCC).

The PPA uses its share of the proceeds to develop cycling in various communities and to promote recreational cycling throughout South Africa. The RCC uses its share across numerous projects that improve the lives of those in need in the local community.