The MTO songo.info Champions Race is probably the most unique racing environment combining an enthusiastic crowd, serious racing action, an attractive course and some solid preparation before the Absa Cape Epic Prologue.
And if there is one mountain biker in the world that can make this statement it is the multiple World champion and five time Absa Cape Epic winner, Christoph Sauser.
The MTO songo.info Champions Race is this Wednesday, 9th March in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch. Action starts at 16:00 and the main race, the men’s invitational – limited to 50 riders – is at 18:00. The race starts and finishes on the Kayamandi Sports Field.
If you can’t be there you can watch it live on Bigshot Live as the main races are streamed live.
So far, entries for the Ladies race include the world-class riders Annika Langvad, Ariane Kleinhans, Esther Suss, Catherine Williamson, Elisabeth Brandau Hielke Elferink and Vera Adrian. The men’s race will once again be an action packed affair with the likes of Alban Lakata, Tim Bohme, Simon Stiebjahn, Erik Kleinhans, James Reid, Nico Bell, Kristian Hynek, Sauser and Sipho Madolo lining up at the start.
Photo by: Ewald Sadie
Sauser has some advice for first time supporters of the race. “The spectators will experience a very attractive race course on a super short lap; which can be viewed the best above the soccer field seeing us for a long time each lap. Being so close to the international and national mountain bike stars and seeing them racing neck to neck with amazing speeds, is what you can expect. It is also a perfect time to interact with the lovely people of Kayamandi.”
The MTO Forestry Group is new title sponsor of the race. “We are proud to be associated with songo.info. We often take for granted the simple foundations one needs in life to achieve success. Sport is a wonderful platform to achieve this, it teaches us grounding, discipline, dedication, commitment, sportsmanship and respect (to name but a few) and it enables us to be free, have fun and live with passion. There is nothing more gratifying than watching children thrive and we look forward to supporting them through their maturity into young adults. MTO has a number of initiatives that keep us directly connected to our communities, through Songo we enjoy the benefit of their incredible story and work that they do!” said Lawrence Polkinghorne, CEO MTO Group.
The men’s race is invitation only, while the women and kids’ races (u14 an u18) are open. For more information go to www.songo.info/events or email info@songo.info.
