Bitter Sweet MTB challenge nurtures local development riders
“Our aim is to carefully nurture and develop this young talent into successful MTB riders, who in turn can share their passion and expertise with others in their community.”
EXPERIENCED cyclists and businesspeople on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast are proving how committed they are to growing new talent.
With the inaugural Seabreeze Build-It ‘Bitter-Sweet’ MTB Challenge scheduled to take place on 17 and 18 October, development riding has once again been placed in the spotlight.
While the competition caters to all levels of riders including professionals in a two-day event, it is most notably an opportunity for development riders to get first-hand experience taking part in an official race. These candidates are often from previously-disadvantaged backgrounds, and enter the cycling world through sponsorships and mentorship from experienced riders.
Rocky Bay Resorts, Bushlife Adventures, Seabreeze Build-It and Illovo Sugar have thrown their weight behind the initiative.
Driven by passion, commitment and pure love for the sport, the race organisers have managed to hand-pick some raw talent.
One of these candidates is Sihle High School matric pupil Zwelani Biyase, who is thrilled to be part of the Seabreeze Build-It ‘Bitter-Sweet’ MTB Challenge.
“We used to have a bike at my house in Ixopo. That’s where I started learning how to use it, but it was only for fun,” Biyase says.
Now, with the skills he’s learning from experienced riders, Biyase is getting fully-acquainted with mountain biking.
Under their close mentorship, he dreams of going pro.
“My sponsors are helping me become a good rider. I hope I can be a professional cyclist one day, because I enjoy it.
Biyase is among four youths chosen by the race organisers, from two local schools in the Malangeni area and sponsored by Illovo Sugar, as part of company’s corporate social investment initiative for the Seabreeze Build-It ‘Bitter-Sweet’ MTB Challenge.
Darrell de Wet, Illovo’s marketing and communications manager, says the sugar giant is always happy to add value to the communities they operate within. “Supported by our philosophy of promoting a healthy, balanced lifestyle and our belief in supporting our communities, Illovo is excited to be associated with these new development MTB riders.
“Our aim is to carefully nurture and develop this young talent into successful MTB riders, who in turn can share their passion and expertise with others in their community.”
The title sponsors of the ‘Bitter-Sweet’ MTB Challenge, Seabreeze Build-It, have also thrown their support behind development riders on the South Coast, by sponsoring two of their own employees for the big race.
MTB enthusiasts are still able to enter the highly-anticipated two-day race which is also open to U19s, since the routes do not exceed 60-kilometres on either day. The organisers are encouraging riders of all skill levels to join the fun.
Entry for a team of two will cost R3,500, while single entries will be charged at R2,000 each. In addition to a spectacular experience, entrants will receive a complimentary goodie bag and a T-shirt. The price includes access to both days of the two-stage event, as well as dinner on Friday, breakfast, light lunch and dinner function on Saturday. Breakfast will be served on Sunday morning. Accommodation for entrants is not included in the entry fee.
Enter the MTB challenge by logging on to www.roag.co.za.
