Women’s cycling in South Africa received a much-needed boost when Bestmed recently re-affirmed their investment at team level ahead of the five-day Tour of Good Hope.
The medical scheme confirmed that they would partner Team Bestmed-ASG for the next three years.
Team principal Owen Botha said he was extremely excited about the continuation of the sponsorship, which started in the 2013 season.
“Our aim has always been to develop the female youth. I feel there is a serious lack of support for younger female riders and I’m happy to have found a partner that shares our vision.”
Botha said Bestmed’s five pillars – Be Active, Be Safe, Be Nutri-Wise, Be Happy and Be Fin-Wise – were a perfect fit for female cycle sport.
“These values embody exactly what we stand for and the lifestyle we want to promote among cycling enthusiasts and the health-conscious public.”
Botha said the team have rode with distinction since their formation – collecting victories across various categories and disciplines – but that their focus was not solely on racing.
“The riders are brand ambassadors for our sponsors and winning is only a small part of their roles on the team.”
He said they had started the year on the front foot and that the riders were already feeding off each others’ successes.
“We are spread over five provinces and all our riders are regular visitors to the podium.”
However, said Botha, it was now all about looking ahead.
“We 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.
“The riders are highly motivated.”
Additionally French bicycle manufacturer Lapierre will become the official equipment supplier to the women’s mountain bike team in South Africa.
“The growth in women’s mountain biking was acknowledged by our title sponsor and a decision was taken to create a standalone squad,” said Owen Botha, principal of the Bestmed-Lapierre Factory Team
“We looked at a number of brands, but Lapierre suited our goals and long-term ambitions.”
Botha, who also manages the Bestmed-ASG women’s road team, said they had a long history of supporting mountain bike and road cycling teams in France.
Good2Go, the South African distributors of Lapierre, were looking to invest in young riders as they were the future of the sport, said managing member Craig Munro.
“After being approached by their business manager Annes Britz, we forwarded a sponsorship proposal to Lapierre’s head office in France.
“They monitored the team’s activities for a few months, were happy and agreed to supply the team with mountain bikes for three years.”
“Our main objective is to create a partnership that showcases the quality and reliability of the brand in South Africa,” said Munro.
“We believe the Bestmed team fit our requirements perfectly and the fact that we have a three-year deal allows us to grow our brand with them.”
Botha said the team’s initial focus would be the national XCO series with marathon racing being introduced from April onwards.
The road and mtb teams will be backed by different combinations of the following support sponsors: ASG Sport Solutions (Rudy Project, Pinarello and Ftech), Daly Jaguar, Biogen, Land Rover, Rush Sports (Onza Tyres & Praxis Works), Dirty Hippo Clothing, NavWorld, Wintergreen and Good2Go.
Meet the team at www.teambestmedasg.co.za.
Full squad: Road & MTB – Sanet Coetzee, Nina Sender, Natascha Botha, Mariette Hattingh, Zandile Ndhlovu, Chelna Neethling and Mire Herbst; XCO MTB – Azulde Britz, Havannah Blem, Sabrina van Wyk, Lynette Benson and Nicolene Marais; Track – Maroesjka Matthee, Ashleigh Parsons, Chanté van der Merwe, Kelsy van Schoor and Bronwyn Abrahams; Triathlon – Riana Robertse and Lauren
Source: Fullstop Communications
