The fifth edition of the PE Plett, South Africa’s premier four-day mountain bike stage race, will herald the start of a new era for the event with the announcement that FedGroup will be the title sponsor.
The FedGroup PE Plett incorporates large segments of mountain bike-specific trails and obstacles in the route each year. Photo credit: Mike Holmes
Also new for 2017 is a date change. After four editions held in September, each of which has endured challenging weather conditions such as wind, rain and mud, organisers, Red Cherry, have shifted the event to early March. This change will ensure the conditions are dry and more predictable; and also give those preparing for the annual Absa Cape Epic a short stage-race test at just the right time.
The incredibly scenic event gives mountain bikers an exciting traverse along the coast from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape, or vice versa, as the route changes direction each year, one of the event’s unique attractions.
The Longmore Forest gives the FedGroup PE Plett long climbs, sweeping descents and incredible views. Photo credit: Bruce Viaene
FedGroup has committed to a three-year headline sponsorship of PE Plett, which will allow the financial services company to continue it’s relationship with mountain biking.
“Investing in PE Plett makes sense on a number of levels for FedGroup. We promote a healthy lifestyle among our staff members and many are avid cyclists. As a family-owned business that grew into the country’s largest independent financial services group, we believe that the FedGroup PE Plett can achieve something similar and grow to become one of the premier events on the SA cycling calendar,” said Brett Field, FedGroup CEO.
“We see this as more than just a title sponsorship, we see it as a partnership with FedGroup that will help both FedGroup achieve its objectives and will enable PE Plett to reach its true potential,” said Mike Glover, PE Plett founder and race director.
With an entry limit of 250, the FedGroup PE Plett offers an uncrowded experience, on the bike and off it, with high emphasis given to race-village comfort. Photo credit: Peter Kirk
The FedGroup PE Plett will take place from 2-5 March 2017. There are two event options: The Tough One will cover a total of 320km with stages ranging in distance from 65km to 95km, while The Lite One will cover a total of 240km with stages ranging in distance from 45km to 75km.
The 2017 edition will run from Port Elizabeth to Plett and will incorporate a variety of challenging and stimulating regions, including the 3 Rivers Trials, the Suuranys Mountains, Cape Pine Forests, Storms River, Bloukrans, Tsitsikama Mountains, Nature’s Valley and The Otter Trail.
“You can’t really get more variety in such a short piece of coastline. PE Plett truly offers a most complete mountain biking experience, both on an off the bike. It’s also point-to-point, which offers a journey that riders will never forget,” added Glover.
The FedGroup PE organisers aren’t afraid of crossing rivers, making for a variety of challenging traverses during the four-day event. Photo credit: Mike Holmes
Entries for the 2017 FedGroup PE Plett are open, but limited to 250 to ensure no crowding. Riders can enter solo or in teams of two. To find out more, or to enter, visit www.peplett.co.za. To find out more about FedGroup and its financial and investment services, visit www.fedgroup.co.za
