![\"ccs-62657-0-70597600-1486733546.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-70597600-1486733546.jpg\")
<\/a>Gordon Gilbert (left) and Johann Rabie make up Team Biogen for 2017.<\/span><\/p>\nWhile Rabie is no longer racing professionally, he\u2019s immersed full time in the cycling market, managing his bike shop and still racing as much as possible. He\u2019s only 29 and has finished sixth overall at the 2015 Absa Cape Epic and won the 2014 Old Mutual joBerg2c. He still has a good few races left in him\u2026<\/p>\n
Gilbert only got into mountain biking in 2014 following forced retirement from professional soccer due to injury. He\u2019s quickly adapted though. He was 107th at the 2014 Cape Epic, 29th in 2015 and 24th last year.<\/p>\n
Rabie and Gilbert will only meet properly for the first time ahead of this week\u2019s Tankwa Trek race. But both feel they\u2019ll be compatible, based on their shared character traits and commitment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn’t take on the challenge of teaming up with Johann if I didn’t think I would be able to live up to the expectations. Johann is a true professional with loads of ability. It won\u2019t be easy but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I think we will compliment one another nicely and hopefully do well in the Biogen colours,\u201d said Gilbert. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis year I am taking my racing down a notch as I can\u2019t train as much as I used to with my business growing. Gordon is someone that has shown a very good standard of racing and looks like an overall nice guy. The main focus is not to win all the races but to be good brand ambassadors for Biogen and the other brands we represent,\u201d said Rabie.<\/p>\n
While the team is focussed on success throughout the year, their biggest challenge is next month\u2019s Cape Epic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to give it everything and leave nothing in the tank. If that’s good enough to be up there fighting for a podium spot in the African jersey category, well, time will tell. But both Johann and I are competitive athletes and will try our best,\u201d said Gilbert, who is a South African citizen.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur primary goal is to make it to the finish,\u201d said Rabie. \u201cSo many things can happen during the Cape Epic \u2013 illness, crashes, mechanicals\u2026 For now I think just to finish will be good. If all goes well, maybe a top 20 is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom an events perspective, we have invested in a big way in mountain biking in South Africa. Biogen is the presenting sponsor of the Tankwa Trek and the Cape Pioneer Trek and is the official supplement partner for the Nissan Trailseeker Series, as well as the Ashburton Investments National Series. But while we\u2019re in the wellness business, we are a people-driven company and we feel that we wanted to support both a visible and interesting racing team too,\u201d said Brandon Fairweather, Biogen Marketing Manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Gordon we have one of our most loyal Biogen brand ambassadors. He\u2019s actually made an impressive move over to mountain bike racing and while he may not always be on a podium, you always know when he\u2019s at a race. Johann has been a Biogen-sponsored rider for some years while he was a pro. Gordon is sure to learn a lot from him and most importantly, Biogen will have a presence on the bike as well as off it, at all the high-profile mountain bike events in South Africa,\u201d added Fairweather.<\/p>\n