The Kargo Pro Cycling Team is proud to announce that Grant Usher is the latest addition to its rider line-up. Grant joins the team as a marathon, stage-race and ultra-endurance specialist and will focus on events such as the Cape Pioneer Trek and Absa Cape Epic, as well as shorter one-day races.
He has acquired an impressive list of achievements in his 16-year cycling career, including representing South Africa at the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships in Switzerland and being the top South African finisher, finishing the inaugural Munga in 2015 in 2nd place, and finishing 3rd at the Single Speed World Championships in Japan last year.
Born and bred in Johannesburg, Grant started cycling competitively in 2000. While he may be the oldest member of the team, he can certainly keep up with the young guns and jokes that “when I line up I still feel and race like I’m 26!”
In addition to his cycling career, Grant also runs his own fulltime business called “Sprocket and Jack”- a specialised bicycle workshop and store that also focuses on mechanical event support at stage races.
“I am really looking forward to the professionalism that the Kargo Pro Cycling Team exudes and the competitive environment that will allow me to keep improving, no matter how big or small the gain. I can hopefully assist some of the really talented youngsters to keep the passion for the sport and ramp up the experience gains,” says Grant of joining the team.
Grant’s first races with the team will be this weekend—starting with the Nissan Trailseeker GP #1 at Mabalingwe on Saturday and the Hollard JUMA in Johannesburg on Sunday, alongside Gauteng-based Kargo teammate William Mokgopo. He’ll then be heading off to Iron-Bike in Italy at the end of July.
“I want to be competitive while testing my altitude endurance and fortitude in Italy. I am hoping for this to prep me for the remainder of the year’s stage races which start in spring, and give me even more hunger in preparing for the Epic in 2017.”
Grant’s goals for the future include achieving a top 20 finish at the Absa Cape Epic, a top 5 finish at Iron-Bike, and to win the Munga.
“We are very excited to have Grant joining the team,” says team founder and principal, Shaun Peschl. “We already have a successful XCO programme running and we are determined to become one of the most comprehensive teams on the circuit by also creating a dominating presence in stage and marathon racing, which we believe we can achieve with the guidance of Grant and the wealth of professional experience that he brings to the team.”
“The Absa Cape Epic is a huge goal for the team in 2017 and beyond, and after our first outing at the race this year we now know what is needed to be competitive amongst the top finishers.”
“Furthermore, looking at the geographical layout of where racing events are hosted across South Africa, we will now have 1-3 strong riders in almost every province. This is very important, not just from a racing point of view, but also in terms of maximum brand exposure and return on investment for our partners,” Shaun concludes.
For more information visit http://www.peschlracing.com.
For live updates and results follow the team on Twitter (@KARGOPROMTBTEAM) and Instagram (kargo_pro_cycling_team).
Goooo the Crusher!