{"id":17695,"date":"2016-08-24T12:55:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-24T11:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2016\/08\/24\/special-focus-on-untamed-african-mtb-races-development-category-and-charities-r5457\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T07:45:51","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T07:45:51","slug":"special-focus-on-untamed-african-mtb-races-development-category-and-charities-r5457","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/special-focus-on-untamed-african-mtb-races-development-category-and-charities-r5457\/","title":{"rendered":"Special focus on Untamed African MTB race\u2019s development category and charities"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Absa Cape Epic is taking steps to boost its development rider category to help nurture future mountain bike champions.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-44970200-1472043292.jpg\"<\/a>Epic Challenge: Exxaro\u2019s Mellis Walker with Justice Makhale, a former professional rider who is now the Exxaro MTB Academy team mentor. Photo credit: Mark Sampson.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the teams fielded by the Exxaro MTB Academy, in 2017 the Exxaro special jersey race for development riders will also include teams committed from academies in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape. The category is open to historically disadvantaged South Africans under the age of 26.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Absa Cape Epic is proud of its record of encouraging development riders and with this initiative we want to celebrate our next generation of star riders,\u201d said Absa Cape Epic CEO Lynn Naud\u00e9. \u201cFive riders who have participated in this category have already gone on to represent South Africa and we have the opportunity to contribute to developing up-and-coming South African talent in the build up towards the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban,\u201d<\/p>\n

Naud\u00e9 announced on Wednesday that the race had formalised an arrangement with the Diepsloot MTB Academy in Gauteng, the Change A Life Academy in KwaZulu Natal and Songo.Info programme from Stellenbosch in the Western Cape and each would receive two free team entries to the 2017, 2018 and 2019 races.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe eight-day Cape Epic takes its toll on participants and there are a limited number of people in this age profile who have the ability to finish the Cape Epic, so the three organisations have recommended that we start by extending two entries to each of them,\u201d Naud\u00e9 said. \u201cThis will increase the number of teams in this category by 54% over the 2016 figure, but for us it\u2019s more about approaching this in a sustainable way for young riders who are in the early stages of their riding careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-96635300-1472043292.jpg\"<\/a>Racing for change: From left, song.info\u2019s Sipho Madolo and Azukile Simayile, the Change a Life Academy\u2019s Mazwi Smimango, the Diepsloot MTB Academy\u2019s Luke Mashiane and the Exxaro MTB Academy\u2019s Justice Makhale and Mellis Walker. Photo credit: Mark Sampson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another 10 entries have been made available to sponsors, charities or others who might want to enter a team in this category.<\/p>\n

Mellis Walker, a member of the Exxaro MTB Academy steering committee who also sits on its Board, welcomed the initiative and said it would broaden and strengthen the competition for the Exxaro jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cMountain biking is growing in the communities where these programmes operate and a competitive development category at the Absa Cape Epic will accelerate the progress of young talent. We are proud that five riders who have participated in this Exxaro special jersey race have already gone on to represent South Africa.\u201d said Walker. \u201cWe want to build heroes in these communities and foster a love for the sport among them. Doing so would also expose a new audience to the Absa Cape Epic and mountain biking generally,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Naud\u00e9 paid tribute to the role of Exxaro, which launched its MTB Academy in 2011 and has sponsored the green special jersey for this category since 2012: \u201cExxaro has been central to the introduction of the category and getting us to this point and we are extremely grateful for all the support over the years. Its generous contribution has put us in a position where we are ready to take this step forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-64182600-1472043295.jpg\"<\/a>Martin Dreyer tells guests about his Change a Life Academy and its plans for the Absa Cape Epic in 2017. Photo credit: Mark Sampson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Naud\u00e9 also announced that the Absa Cape Epic would support four charities for the next three years: the Anna Foundation, Qhubeka, Laureus and the Cape Leopard Trust.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have refined our approach and from 2017 and we will work with charity partners that are closely aligned with our core business,\u201d she explained. \u201cThere are three areas of focus: first are programmes that use sport or bicycling to uplift communities; second are those linked to Absa Cape Epic host towns; and third is environmental conservation, since our sport requires ongoing interaction with the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Entries will be reserved for the charities and they can sell or raffle them. Due to the very limited number of entries to the race, these entries are highly sought after. Charities will also be given a platform at the event itself and on the Absa Cape Epic media channels.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve worked with these charities before, so we are familiar with their outstanding work and the ethos of each organisation,\u201d said Naud\u00e9. \u201cWith a streamlined charity programme and commitment for the next three years we\u2019ll be able to dedicate more attention to each organisation and endeavour to make a meaningful difference to the communities that are touched by the race.\u201d<\/p>\n

She concluded by saying that teams riding for charities of their own choice was synonymous with the Cape Epic and they had raised over R15,4m since 2011. This would continue as usual.<\/p>\n

About the charities:<\/h2>\n