A Criterium is a bike race held on a short circuit of only a couple of kilometres (in this case 2.6km). The length of the race is determined by either a set time limit or number of laps.

This race, the MEDIHELP Criterium, is a charity race raising funds for the Jan Kriel Institute - a place of learning for kids with special educational needs.

The Jan Kriel Institute was founded by a minister's wife whose son died during an epileptic fit. Mrs Kriel started the school with only 4 pupils in 1937, and today the school supports over 550 kids with various educational challenges.

Read more about their history here on the institute's website.