![\"ccs-62657-0-17212500-1456221196.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-17212500-1456221196.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>The members of Team Bestmed-ASG at the recent national road championships were, from left, Mire Herbst, Ashleigh Parsons, Nicolene Marais, Owen Botha (team manager), Kelsy van Schoor, Lynette Benson, Riana Robertse and Azulde Britz. Photo: Supplied<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cOur aim has always been to develop the female youth. I feel there is a serious lack of support for younger female riders and I\u2019m happy to have found a partner that shares our vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Botha said Bestmed\u2019s five pillars \u2013 Be Active, Be Safe, Be Nutri-Wise, Be Happy and Be Fin-Wise \u2013 were a perfect fit for female cycle sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese values embody exactly what we stand for and the lifestyle we want to promote among cycling enthusiasts and the health-conscious public.\u201d<\/p>\n
Botha said the team have rode with distinction since their formation \u2013 collecting victories across various categories and disciplines \u2013 but that their focus was not solely on racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe riders are brand ambassadors for our sponsors and winning is only a small part of their roles on the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said they had started the year on the front foot and that the riders were already feeding off each others\u2019 successes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are spread over five provinces and all our riders are regular visitors to the podium.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, said Botha, it was now all about looking ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to excel in mountain biking, road and track racing this season and are confident that we will get a number of medals at the various national championships.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe riders are highly motivated.\u201d<\/p>\n
The team will target next week\u2019s Tour of Good Hope, which is linked to their title sponsor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have two objectives going into the tour,\u201d said Botha. \u201cFirstly, promoting the event and to be good brand ambassadors for Bestmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecondly, we are aiming to finish in the top five overall through our designated team leader Chant\u00e9 van der Merwe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two days later, the team will line up at the Cape Town Cycle Tour, where Botha hoped Maroesjka Matthee could reproduce the form that took her to a third-place finish last year.<\/p>\n
The team will be backed by the following support sponsors: ASG Sport Solutions (Rudy Project, Pinarello and Ftech), Daly Jaguar and Biogen.<\/p>\n