When you’re at your physical limit in the most important race of your life the last thing you need to hold you back is your equipment. Thanks to Cannondale, the Fairtree Racing Team will be able to tackle the 2021 Absa Cape Epic – and many other races – with absolute confidence.
Cannondale South Africa has committed Scalpel World Cup bikes to the team as part of its investment in the development of young racers and the upliftment of riders from disadvantaged backgrounds. The team will be known as the Fairtee Cannondale Racing Team going forward.
Sunny Xetu, Thando Nthuthu, Zola Ngxakeni and Rasta Thuthu of the Fairtree Racing Team receive their new Cannondale Scalpel World Cup bikes.
The Fairtree Racing Team was established more than 10 years ago with the objective of sustainable high-performance development of keen, talented riders from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Western Cape. Funded by Fairtree Capital, the Fairtree Cannondale Team is one of the true success stories of sports development in South Africa.
Based in Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape, the team participates in most of the province’s mountain bike events and also competes in many high-profile marathons and stage races around the country. There will be three Fairtree Cannondale teams participating in the 2021 Absa Cape Epic in October.
The philosophy of the team management is to ensure that the riders achieve their potential by benefiting from the best possible infrastructure. The team has a dedicated coach and biokineticist and Fairtree Capital has ensured financial stability for the team members during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Six of the riders have been trained as registered MTB guides by the Western Cape Government and take tours from Casa Cerveza with the main route being the amazing Banhoek Conservancy. They have a wide knowledge of the Stellenbosch MTB trails and conduct corporate and individual tours alongside team mentor, Chris Norton.
“We are over the moon with this sponsorship, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Chris Norton, Manager of the Fairtree Cannondale Racing Team. “Amongst all the doom and gloom over the past 18 months, our riders have kept it together and are doing incredibly well despite all the madness!
“We absolutely love the Cannondale brand and are extremely proud to now be known as the Fairtree Cannondale Racing Team. As part of the sponsorship each member of the team will receive a top end Cannondale Scalpel World Cup mountain bike. This really is an incredible partnership, for which we are truly thankful,” said Norton
Fairtree Cannondale Racing Team members, Sunny Xetu and Rasta Thuthu, can’t wait to put their new Scalpels to the test in a race.
“I am very excited to be a Cannondale rider,” said Xetu. “I got to put my new bicycle to the test over the weekend and I absolutely love it. I can’t wait for our next event.”
“I didn’t think it was possible, but mountain biking definitely just became more fun,” said Thuthu. “Our Cannondale mountain bikes are stunning and we are proud to be able to represent the brand.”
“It’s a real privilege for us to be on board as bike supplier to the team. It’s remarkable what Chris and Fairtree have achieved to date. It really is a wonderful initiative and we couldn’t be more excited to be involved with the team. We look forward to seeing the riders achieve great things,” said Mark Nel, National Marketing Manager of Omnico/Cannondale SA.
Founded in 2008 the team currently has 13 riders (12 male and one female) between the ages of 22 – 30. The team has a mountain biking coach (Corrie Muller), a doctor (Pierre Viviers), a Bike Technician (Luan Smit) and a gym instructor (Gemma Haywood).
The Fairtree Cannondale Racing Team will be seen in action at the 6th annual Fedhealth MTB Challenge that will take place at the scenic Blaauwklippen Wine Estate (Stellenbosch) on Sunday 12 September 2021. Follow their progress on Facebook and Instagram @fairtreeracingteam
Source: Newsport Media
