A world-class stage is not possible without the support of sponsors with a shared vision for excellence. Biogen and First Ascent are long-time partners of Dryland Event Management, and were quick to get behind the vision of the Garden Route Giro. Their support has made it possible to take the race from the drawing board to the gravel roads of Hessequa, the Klein Karoo, and the Garden Route. Likewise, the commitment of new partners, THIRSTI and BMW South Africa.
Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management
“We are thrilled by the continued support of Biogen and First Ascent,” says Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management. “As long-term partners, they were included from the very first planning meetings for the Garden Route Giro, and their belief in the concept helped move the event from concept to reality. Travis [Victor], Riaan [Oosthuizen], and their teams have unique and valuable insights into the sports space in South Africa, so their input extends well beyond the product and financial sponsorships of Biogen and First Ascent.”
“We are proud to partner with the inaugural Garden Route Giro,” Travis Victor, General Manager of Biogen, says. “Endurance events demand consistency, preparation, and the right nutritional support, and our goal is to provide athletes with trusted, tested, high-quality products to help them perform at their best and recover effectively. With over 20 years of experience and a strong focus on quality and testing, Biogen remains committed to fuelling performance and supporting athletes of all fitness levels and communities.”
Participants in the inaugural Garden Route Giro can expect to be treated to the best water points in cycling, where Biogen’s world-class sports nutrition products are augmented by Dryland’s real food treats, like fudge, date balls, banana bread, and droëwors. At the finish line of each stage, a Biogen Recovery Zone will kick-start the process of replacing lost fluids and refuelling muscle glycogen.
“First Ascent is proud to partner with the Garden Route Giro, a race that captures everything we stand for: performance, durability, and a true love for the outdoors,” First Ascent Divisional Executive, Riaan Oosthuizen, adds. “Set against some of South Africa’s most scenic backdrops, this multi-day gravel event demands grit, endurance, and gear you can rely on. That’s where we come in. Built for life outdoors, First Ascent is made for athletes who push harder, go further, and show up in all conditions.”
“This partnership is rooted in a shared mindset, a commitment to adventure, resilience, and performance over every kilometre; when you’re spending long days in the saddle, what you wear matters. Through the Garden Route Giro, we continue to back the outdoor community with technical apparel designed to perform, no matter how quickly the conditions change,” Oosthuizen says.
First Ascent’s leaders’ jerseys will be highly visible and fiercely contested in the peloton, but the activewear brand will also be providing a special edition rider bag, T-shirt, and official cycling jersey.
BMW’s sponsorship of the event, as the Official Vehicle Partner, sees the South African arm of the Bavarian motor vehicle manufacturer supply lead-out vehicles and make a selection of vehicles available for test drives from the ANEW Resorts Wilderness race village, after Stage 6.
“Both BMW and THIRSTI are new partners for Dryland Event Management,” Rademeyer confirms. “It’s exciting to see the appeal of gravel racing bringing new brands to cycling in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo. We know that their input and activation plans will elevate the rider experience over the coming week and help us stage a stellar first edition of the Garden Route Giro.”
“BMW South Africa, together with BMW George, is proud to partner with the Garden Route Giro, aligning the brand’s commitment to performance, precision, and innovation with one of the country’s most scenic and demanding cycling events,” Marcelle Duncan, Head of Brand BMW South Africa, says. “This partnership reflects BMW’s ongoing investment in local communities and active lifestyles, while showcasing the brand’s engineering excellence in an environment defined by endurance and agility. Through this collaboration, BMW continues to support platforms that celebrate human performance and the pursuit of excellence, values that are intrinsic to the brand’s DNA.”
Official spring water partner of the Garden Route Giro, THIRSTI will be aiding in rehydration and providing participants with South Africa’s premier still and sparkling waters.
To share in the sparkle and fizz of the Garden Route Giro, like the Garden Route Giro Facebook page and follow @gardenroutegiro on Instagram. Cycling fans can tune in for daily highlights on the Dryland Event Management YouTube channel and read the daily news releases on their favourite cycling platform. For more information, visit www.gardenroutegiro.co.za.
Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management
