In a coup for South African women’s cycling, Team Bestmed-ASG-Multihull launched its official vehicle partnership with luxury brand Jaguar during last week’s Bestmed Tour de Boland.
The team’s Namibian road champion Vera Adrian finished third overall in the five-day tour on Friday, with her squad mates Maroesjka Matthee, Michelle Benson and Desray Sebregts taking top-10 spots.
South African women’s cycling team Bestmed-ASG-Multihull launched its official vehicle partnership with luxury brand Jaguar during last week’s Bestmed Tour de Boland. Pictured here at Saronsberg outside host town Tulbagh are, from left, Kim le Court, Vera Adrian, Maroesjka Matthee, Desray Sebregts and Michelle Benson. // Photo: Capcha Photography
SA track star Matthee followed it up with another podium for the team at Sunday’s Cape Town Cycle Tour.
Team manager Owen Botha said, as one of the highest profile weeks on the national racing calendar, it had been an ideal window of opportunity to introduce the new partnership.
“The beautiful Boland is a pretty place to launch the team cars, which handled the mountain passes along the route with ease and kept pace perfectly with the peloton.”
Botha said the sponsorship, which was facilitated through Jaguar Daly in Potchefstroom, would include the use of two luxury sport saloons – the XF 2.0 petrol premium luxury model and the XF 2.2 diesel version, the most fuel efficient in the line-up.
“The saloon is a real head-turner and complements the professional appearance and performance of the team.”
Jaguar is also vehicle sponsor for one of the world’s top-rated professional men’s teams, Team Sky, which includes former Tour de France winner Chris Froome.
The vehicle manufacturer worked with Team Sky’s bicycle partner Pinarello to develop the aerodynamic Pinarello Dogma F8 bicycle.
Pinarello is also bike sponsor of the Bestmed-ASG-Multihull outfit.
According to Jaguar Daly dealer principal Johan Roos, it was this natural synchronicity that made the sponsorship the perfect fit.
“There’s a lot of synergy among the partners and we all strive for excellence.”
He said Jaguar was pleased to be partnering with a local women’s team in particular.
“Our customer profile on the XF shows a growing number of women, so it’s important for us to recognise this growth by engaging in this sponsorship.”
Visit the team on www.teambestmedasg.co.za, find them on Facebook or follow @TeamBestmed_asg.
