When the television show SuperCycling came to an end on March 29, it was a huge setback for South African cycling across the board, according to guest presenter Owen Hannie.
“Without the TV coverage we require to keep local cycling going, it’s going to affect us quite badly – it’s a massive blow,” said Hannie.
The SuperCycling team. Back row – Peter Robertson, Charmaine Carter, Aubrey Coetzee, Abel D’Oliveira. Front row – Owen Hannie, Gerald de Kock, Andrew Mclean. Photo: Owen Hannie
“I feel that insufficient coverage will have a huge impact on the sponsors’ attitude towards cycling.
“What might happen is events will struggle to get sponsors and may even be unable to retain those already supporting the sport.”
He commended the growth seen in the sport over the years, but voiced concern over the future of cycling should there be no further coverage of local events.
“I remember when I started cycling professionally in 1998, it was just coming out of a dark period when no sponsorships were available.
“If I look back and compare it to where we are today, cycling has grown dramatically and it would be a huge shame to see it all come to nothing.
“We were supposed to have our final show at the end of January but because of the Cape Epic, management at SuperSport decided to extend SuperCyling until the end of March.”
He said SuperSport carried the cost of the show because of the local content agreement they had with the Cape Epic organisation.
“Cycling in South Africa won’t be the only one to suffer – SuperSport has decided to drop all magazine shows,” said Hannie.
“They’re bringing out one show which will encompass all sports, but cycling is a very small percentage of this.
“A fair share of airing will go towards rugby, soccer and cricket, but the minor sports like cycling are the unfortunate victims of what they’re trying to do there.”
Hannie explained that as it stands SuperCycling was over and would not be broadcast next Tuesday, nor any Tuesday in the foreseeable future should there continue to be no sponsors.
“We need to make a big statement about this and hopefully get local cycling the coverage it deserves,” he said.
Hannie often appeared as a guest presenter alongside founding member Andrew Mclean and presenter Gerald de Kock.
