Elite mountain bikers Waylon Woolcock and Darren Lill have signed on to race two of South Africa’s biggest stage races, the FNB Wines2Whales and Absa Cape Epic, in the colours of USN Purefit.
Waylon Woolcock pictured at the start of the Nissan Trailseeker Series Diamond Rush at the weekend.
Photo credit: Zoon Cronje/Nikon
Woolcock and Lill, both 33, led the Cape Epic’s African jersey competition for two days this year and finished seventh overall in the international stage race.
For more news see: Cape Epic
“Next year will be the third year that Darren and I are teammates and our third Cape Epic together,” said Woolcock.
“In 2014 I got very ill and had to withdraw and this year we had more than our fair share of mechanicals. Both years we were leading the African team competition when we hit a snag. Hopefully it’s a case of third time lucky in 2016.”
Securing the African team title will be the duo’s primary objective but an overall podium is also in their sights.
USN chief executive officer Albe Geldenhuys, said the brand had recently signed a five-year deal as official sports supplement partner to the Cape Epic.
“For USN it’s important to have a strong team in the race and we’re very pleased to be able to back Waylon and Darren,” said Geldenhuys.
Woolcock said the new sponsor’s backing meant they could go into the race properly prepared.
“We’ll have a back-up team for support during the race, which has become essential if you’re aiming for a category podium in the open men’s division.
“We’ll also have support staff, such as a dedicated mechanic, masseuse and manager, all of which helps you to focus fully on the racing and less on the peripheral elements, which can be quite draining.”
Their build-up races will include the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope and Cape Town Cycle Tour.
