Kia drive into mountain biking

[Matt]

 

Kia Motors have announced their significant support of mountain biking in South Africa with the sponsorship of a range of established events on the South African calendar as well as the creation of a new ranking system that will encompass all off-road races countrywide.

 

The Walkerville Classic, South Africa’s largest winter race, the challenging KZN Expedition and hugely popular Krugersdorp Game Reserve Mountain Bike Challenge have already been added to the Kia stable, with a soon to be announced mass participation classic in the Western Cape also on the cards.

 

The Kia ranking system will set the benchmark for the country’s mountain bikers and enable riders to gain points in all fixtures sanctioned by Cycling South Africa (CSA).

 

A grand finale in May next year will see the top riders in their respective categories take part in an invitation-only event to potentially share in a prize pot of more than R200 000.

 

The final event will carry a weighted seeding in the ranking system and overall age category winners will be crowned in a high profile post-race function.

 

The Kia rankings will be managed by CSA and the sport’s governing body will be the final authority on all related issues.

 

The idea behind the rankings is to reward those mountain bikers who ride their bikes all year round in events across the country. In this way Kia hope to give something back to riders who support the sport in the biggest way.

 

The Kia Walkerville Classic is the country’s second oldest mountain bike race and it attracts more than 1 500 riders annually. This year will see the 15th anniversary of the country’s favourite winter event and it will be an occasion to remember.

 

The Kia Expedition will take place on November 10 this year and a wonderful off-road experience awaits participants. The route is awe-inspiring – from Inanda Dam, through the Valley of a Thousand Hills to the Durban beachfront.

 

This race, which is in its fifth year, has become known for its strong organisational effort in very tough surroundings. It presents riders with a breathtaking mountain bike adventure that is rivalled by very few single day events.

 

The Kia Krugersdorp Game Reserve Mountain Bike Challenge is scheduled for February 9 next year. The more than 1 000 riders who took part in the inaugural race earlier this year were treated to a game fest like no other, with loads of buck roaming as close as 20 metres to riders on some sections.

 

All the Kia events are in close proximity to their respective catchment cities, which make them accessible for riders and the venues have been shaped around presenting an all-round fun experience for the families that tag along in support.

 

Kia Motors’ involvement in sport stems from being the official vehicle supplier to Fifa, a partner of Euro 2012 and the major sponsor of the Australian Open.

 

“Locally, Kia Motors SA are looking to make a difference and improve on the rider and family experience in the hugely popular cycling scene with mountain biking as its focus,” says Kia national marketing manager David Sieff.

 

“As the title sponsors of these events, we are proud to be working with ASG Events to provide SA’s mountain bikers with a series of memorable and exciting races.

 

“Our aim is to raise the overall experience for every rider within our race series and give them a sense of the Kia brand and how our cars facilitate the South African outdoors lifestyle. I look forward to seeing you on the trails!”

 

ASG Events own and manage 26 prestigious races countrywide, including the Emperors Palace Classic, Bestmed Jacaranda Satellite Classic and Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique.

 

“Turning an ordinary day into a special outing is exactly what we at ASG Events strive for,” says ASG’s Bruce Foulis.

 

“With our passion for creative collaboration, riders are guaranteed that our events will never fail to be an exhilarating adventure.

 

“No two are ever the same; each one is distinctive. At ASG, we pride ourselves on being a bespoke events company where new worlds and creative dimensions are always being explored and revealed.”

 

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