The rapid entry uptake for the Val de Vie MTB Expedition has created a lot of expectation for the second edition of South Africa’s new signature 3-Stage Mountain-bike race, which takes place on 7-9 October at Val de Vie Estate in Paarl. The excitement has further been fuelled, so to speak, by the announcement that bulk fuel supplier, Shesha Fuels, has been confirmed as headline sponsor of the fast-growing event.
Paid partnership with Shesha Fuels Val de Vie Expedition
The race will now be known as the Shesha Fuels Val de Vie MTB Expedition, which is a fitting new title with Shesha meaning “hurry” in Zulu. The Expedition has certainly hurriedly positioned itself among the top mountain-bike stage races in the country and already sits comfortably among astute company after its first year of presentation.
“Many industry commentators were apprehensive when we launched the event amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Races were in turmoil and few other race organisers were contemplating new events,” said race organiser Wynand de Villiers, who has also managed and pioneered stage race events such as TransCape, the Cape Winelands Encounter, Waterberg Encounter and Sanlam Invitational in recent years.
“The event had been in the making for more than a year. When we launched in March last year, we felt that the offering would resonate with seasoned mountain-bikers and set the bar nice and high for mountain-bike stage races. We were overwhelmed by the response amidst the challenges of Covid-19.”
“We are delighted to welcome Shesha Fuels on board. We look forward to working with them to further craft the event offering and ensure they gain traction in the Western Cape,” said De Villiers.
Shesha Fuels co-director, Sergio da Costa, took part in the inaugural Val de Vie Expedition and says the event is unequalled as far as route and hospitality is concerned. “Riders get to know each other on the bike on the challenging and rewarding trails of the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, and off the bike – it’s such a pleasure at the Pearl Valley Hotel and Clubhouse.
“The offering is slick and truly high end. It’s incredible what the race achieved in the first year and it’s a perfect fit for our brand. We are branching out into the Western Cape and the race presents the perfect vehicle to position our brand in this area,” he said.
“My experience at the event was top class. It really runs like a well-oiled machine, just like our business,” he smiled. “We believe in and are committed to the organisation’s vision for the growth of the event.”
According to De Villiers, his team put a lot of thought and research into the format, venue, hospitality and routes for the Expedition. “We feel that we have created a remarkably user friendly and comfortable off-the-bike experience, coupled with unequalled trails over a solidly challenging and rewarding 3-day racing format,” he says.
“The allure of the incredible weekend offering is accentuated by staying, starting, finishing and eating at the same world-class venue every day. We couldn’t ask for a better venue than the Pearl Valley Clubhouse and Pearl Valley Hotel by Mantis inside the award- winning Val de Vie Estate.
“To attract a title sponsor this early in the event journey is amazing. Other established stage races are having to box clever at the moment to reach their historic participant totals and to attract sponsorship, so we are really humbled.”
Riders who would still like to get on the start line can head to www.mtbexpedition.co.za for all the event info.
View the official 2022 event trailer video here.
Released by De Villiers National Cycling (Pty) Ltd
For more info and to enter the event, go to www.mtbexpedition.za
For more info on Shesha Fuels, go to www.sheshafuels.co.za or phone 087 135 1073
Event enquiries phone 083 269 7659 or email devillierscycling@mweb.co.za
Paid partnership with Shesha Fuels Val de Vie Expedition
