![\"ccs-62657-0-70918500-1429368670.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-70918500-1429368670.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nDavid Maree from Team Abantu on his way to victory in 2014 \/\/ Photo credit: www.zooncronje.com<\/span><\/p>\n This year will see Team Abantu battle it out with Team Bonitas and Europcar among others. The women\u2019s race also promises to be electric with household names Lynette Burger and Lise Olivier as well as a full Team Bestmed compliment lining alongside Kachelhoffer.<\/p>\n While the race is growing as an autumn calendar favourite, it\u2019s only part of an long-term strategy by the mayor\u2019s office to promote non-motorised transport and healthy living in the City of Polokwane.<\/p>\n At the 2014 race, bikes were handed over to youngsters from the local community to assist them in becoming more mobile, efficient residents. This year will see the professional cycling teams visiting schools in the area to promote the sport as part of the city\u2019s Non-Motorised Transport Smart Mobility Vision 2030, the name of the carbon-footprint reduction project.<\/p>\n Polokwane was recently declared a running and cycling city whilst it\u2019s previous Executive Mayor, Councilor Freddy Greaver, was a Climate Change Ambassador. Leading by example he also took part in the 2014 event, saying:<\/p>\n \u201cIt was my first ever cycling event and I\u2019m very happy we pulled this off. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing this grow. We wanted to make Polokwane the sporting hub of our province and this is part of that strategy,\u201d said Greaver.<\/p>\n He went on to say that the event is not only about winning, it is about the getting together of families and Polokwane\u2019s people from all ages and all walks of life.<\/p>\n \u201cThe people of Polokwane are also very proud to play host to some of the top professional teams in South Africa this year,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n