Pro Cycling team secures sponsor

“I’m happy they’ve given us an extension, it shows the confidence they have in us,” Lange said.

“They will continue supporting the team as they have been over the years as title sponsor and we look forward to establishing an even longer relationship with them.”

Team Bonitas’ long-standing contract with the medical aid provider was to expire this month.

Bonitas came on board as a co-sponsor for the first time in 2011 and upgraded to full sponsorship in 2012, and has backed the team as the title sponsor ever since.

Over the years, the team has dominated the local cycling scene, winning titles at the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, Cape Argus Cycle Tour and several other high profile races in South Africa.

The team has yet to announce its complete roster for 2015, but has made a few changes to the usual line-up.

“Next year all local teams are required to ride with six riders, which is a good thing as it makes things more competitive,” said Lange.

“And as it stands we are still busy with negotiations with the riders, but have signed two new riders for next year.

“We will however be without Jayde Julius, who has moved to the MTN Qhubeka feeder team, so has Clint Hendricks. Christopher Jennings is also looking to race in the UK next year.”

The squad will begin preparing for its fourth season with a camp in the first week of January.

“We will get all the guys together and start our training early in January,” Lange said.

“Our first race will be towards the end of the month and we usually kick off our season with the Fast One road race.

“We are a bit behind with our kit and equipment because we had to wait for the sponsorship before going ahead, but all should be settled by February.”

Lange, who retired from professional road racing in 2011 after a full-time racing career of two decades, said he had secured a partnership with Ascendis Health.

The health and care brands company would become the title sponsor for its women’s mountain bike outfit.

The team looks to spearhead an initiative to support women’s mountain biking in the country.

The rider line-up includes South African marathon mountain-bike champion, Robyn de Groot and Sweden’s national marathon champion Jennie Stenerhag.

– Sapa