ASG Sport Solutions has been investing in the future of South African cycling for the past six years with its broad-spectrum sponsorship of the ASG junior and U23 men’s teams, ASG Mountain Bike Academy and Bestmed-ASG women’s team.
ASG Sport Solutions. Photo: Supplied
According to ASG chief executive Heinrich Dannhauser, most corporate and industry sponsors preferred to invest in elite teams, where marketing benefits and coverage were generally assured.
“This makes it extremely difficult for young South African cyclists to find the support they need and, as a result, it has been a major contributing factor to exciting talent disappearing after promising junior careers.
“ASG Sport Solutions is one of only a few industry players that have been prepared to sponsor significantly at junior and U23 level in addition to our contributions in the elite ranks.”
Dannhauser said it was crucial for young cyclists to be supported from an early stage and mentored through to elite level and that their sponsorship programme had been developed with this in mind.
“We have seen many riders come through our ASG junior team ranks, then use the U23 team structure as a ‘bridge’ to get ‘picked up’ by a professional elite team – an achievement we are extremely proud of.”
The brand’s supportive efforts have paid off again this year with the four-man junior team maintaining its 100 per cent podium record in all 11 major classics for the fourth consecutive year.
“The team rode each race with the objective to dominate and they had the depth and the talent to do so,” said team manager Pierre du Plooy.
“The riders support and respect each other. Their success is purely a team effort.”
Gustav Basson scooped the national time-trial title, making it the fourth year in a row for an ASG rider, with teammates Kent Main (who was also third on the road) and Jarrod Hattingh fourth and fifth respectively.
Basson also claimed the green sprinter’s jersey and overall honours at the TRAC N4 Junior Cycle Tour, while Hattingh was named best young rider.
By comparison, the six-strong U23 squad had suffered mixed fortunes this season, said Du Plooy.
“The team were constantly under pressure due lots of unlucky crashes and punctures, but their aggressive riding in the elite bunch garnered them respect and attention.”
Two of the members, Ryan Felgate and Wesley Eslick, rode the UCI-rated Mzansi Tour as part of the SA Invitational team.
Viehann du Plessis claimed the Mzansi Tour criterium race, while Rohan du Plooy finished third in the SA time-trial champs and won the Bela Bela Classic.
“As a team, we have a lot of potential and 2015 could be our year. The possibility of having a junior and U23 national champion is definitely there.”
On the women’s side, ASG has partnered with Bestmed medical scheme as co-sponsors, providing the team with equipment, including Pinarello frames, Ftech cycling clothing and Rudy Project helmets and eyewear.
“All 16 riders have been supplied with premium equipment,” said team manager Owen Botha.
“Without this equipment, we would not have achieved the awesome results of this past year.”
Botha said his U16 riders had won all the national events on the track, road and in mountain biking in their age group.
“We dominated the junior women’s racing and three of our four junior riders were chosen to attend the world champs in Spain.”
On the elite side of things, the Bestmed-ASG women won classics such as the Powerade Lost City Cycle Classic, Rand Water Race 4 Victory and PPC Cement Kremetart Tour.
“In the vets category, Juanita Venter won the national time-trial and road titles and then later also the world time-trial gold medal in Slovenia,” said Botha.
“We’re proud to have a world champion on our team but none of these victories would have been possible without top-class equipment.”
The teams will all be looking to end the season on a high note at this month’s Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge.
