Telkom Business to Sponsor Absa Cape Epic’s Masters Category

Telkom Business, a headline sponsor of the Absa Cape Epic, is the sponsor of the Masters Category of this year’s event.

The goal of making the Telkom Business Masters blue jersey the most coveted jersey in international Masters mountain biking.

Says Brian Armstrong, Managing Director for Telkom Business: “The Masters category consists of over 400 riders in 2012 and 83% of them are CEOs, directors or senior management from various companies.”

To be eligible to ride in this category, both riders have to be 40 years or older in the year the event takes place.

Double Olympic medallist and former World cross-country champion Bart Brentjens is a legend of the sport, and will be a strong competitor for the Telkom Business Masters jersey © mountainbikerKevin Vermaak, founder and director of the Absa Cape Epic adds: “The race for the Telkom Business blue Masters' jersey will surely be one of the most hotly contested categories with contenders such as former Olympian Bart Brentjens and Jan Weevers, both of the Netherlands, and previous winners in this category Shan Wilson and Andrew Mclean (from South Africa) participating again this year. 

“Double Olympic medallist and former World cross-country champion Brentjens is a legend of the sport, with many of his competitors idolising him in their boyhood years. His announcement that he'd race as a Master most likely sent shivers down the spines of riders who thought they had a shot at wearing the coveted Master’s leader jersey. Rivals and teammates alike have suffered Brentjen's relentless desire for victories. In six starts he's never ridden with the same partner twice. Despite his list of impressive results, Jan Weevers will still be mentally preparing himself for a week of pain.”

South Africans Andrew McLean (pictured) and Shan Wilson will put in a solid challenge for the new Telkom Business Masters jersey © mountainbikerVermaak continues: “McLean's list of victories is as long, both as a pro-level road racer and as a Masters category mountain biker. Wilson's best results are right here at this race, climbing on the final podium in 2004 as well as 2009 and 2010. As the most fiercely competitive riders in the race, they'll fight to the bitter end.”

One must have the right cycling partner to complete the most celebrated mountain bike challenge in the world. The two riders must dig deep, overcome setbacks, assess their performance and make adjustments, push through the tough times and savour the accomplishment when it's all done.

Armstrong continues: “We at Telkom Business identify with this philosophy. As the leading ICT Group in South Africa, we’ve successfully partnered with businesses across the country, working with them to build communication solutions, tackle challenges and ensure they achieve their potential so that their businesses can thrive in a globally competitive world. Whether big or small, established or starting out, Telkom Business strives to be the right partner for any business.”

Telkom Business provides communication services for the Absa Cape Epic Media Centre and Race Village. “Telkom Business is a key enabler for the Absa Cape Epic, ensuring all media content is delivered to a global audience, across the stage locations. As the industry leader in communication services in South Africa, Telkom Business offers solutions across the fixed and mobile, voice and data technology spectrum. We’re proud to be associated with the 2012 Absa Cape Epic and wish all competitors the very best for this year's event,” Armstrong concludes.

ENDS