29 Nov 2018 CYCLE LAB AND BIOGEN GEAR UP AS NEW SPONSORS
A unique South African cycle race, the Maluti Double90 team time-trial, celebrates its fourth year with two new sponsors.
The popular national retail chain, Cycle Lab is the new naming sponsor and the event will be powered by wellness and nutrition brand Biogen. These two powerhouse brands in the cycling and fitness sectors will now be partnering with the Pedal Power Association (PPA) to put on what has become an increasingly popular road race with a unique format: a 180 km team time-trial open to both pros and amateur cyclists that starts in the picturesque Free State town of Clarens and takes in the scenic Golden Gate national park.
“We are excited to be able to support the Maluti Double90 in particular and road cycling in general,” says Andrew McLean, founder and director of Cycle Lab. “Events like this require teamwork, long-term commitment to prepare for and a good dose of toughness and teamwork to complete successfully. These are all traits that South African cyclists enjoy and we feel that with our involvement, we can help grow the event and add value to participants.”
Echoing those sentiments is Brandon Fairweather, Biogen General Manager: “Biogen is proud to be joining forces again with our good friends at Cycle Lab to fuel the 2019 edition of the renowned Maluti Double90 in Clarens. This exciting team trial format presents a fun, yet competitive weekend away, and as a sports and wellness brand we look forward to supporting riders with high-quality nutrition on route!”
CEO of the PPA, Robert Vogel welcomes two new partners to an event that has helped the organisation extend its national footprint. “I am very excited about partnering with Cycle Lab and Biogen and firmly establish the Maluti Double 90 as one of the classic events on the cycling calendar. For PPA, the event, the 4th edition in 2019, is also an opportunity to engage with cyclists outside of the Western Cape and I look forward to establishing a long-term partnership with both sponsors.”
The Maluti Double90 is open to Female, Male and Mixed teams and will take place on race on Saturday 13 April 2019. Entry is limited to 120 teams who will start at 30-second intervals and have up to nine hours to complete the event. The start and finish is at the President Square in Clarens. From the start, riders head to Bethlehem on the R26, before turning right onto the undulating R714 towards Warden and Eenzaamheid. Thereafter it’s a right turn onto the R57 towards Kestell before the last stretch on the R712 that includes a tough, hilly section through the iconic Golden Gate national park.
“Given both the distance and the undulating terrain, this is not a race for novice cyclists,” says PPA CEO, Robert Vogel. “The last 40 km includes some steep and tough hills, so have to make sure you’ve put in some training. If you have enough miles in your legs though, you are going to love it. The team time trial format puts a different spin on things and it gives amateur cyclists the unique experience of racing as a team. With the time of the 6th rider across the finish line taken as the official team time, it does make race-day strategy a key factor!”
KEY INFO
Cycle Lab Maluti Double90 presented by Biogen
Website: malutidouble90.co.za
Date: Saturday, 13 April 2019
Format: team time trial, with 12 riders per team
Categories: Female team, Male team, Mixed team. Entries limited to 120 teams
Timing: the time of the 6th rider across the finish line is taken as the official team time.
Distance: 180 km
Start time: 06h30 with 30-second intervals between teams
Cut-off time: 16h30 at the finish line. Teams have up to 9 hours to complete the event and there are additional cut-offs en route.
Enter: Go to malutidouble90.co.za. Entries close on Friday, 1 February 2019