Exxaro Development Riders

2012-03-24

With new opportunities for those who never imagined even starting the Absa Cape Epic, there’s been an overwhelming response to the challenge of this eight-day race.

Since race founder Kevin Vermaak announced the race’s new headline sponsor, Exxaro, riders have been champing at the bit for the opportunity to join Exxaro Academy, the official Development Academy partner to the Absa Cape Epic. With an illustrious history of successful endurance athletes, notably Josia Thugwane, gold medallist at the 1996 Summer Olympics, it’s clear that South Africa has talent, and there’s every reason that this should extend into endurance mountain biking.

Sipho Nkosi, CEO of Exxaro, key figure in BEE/Transformation and an enthusiastic supporter of the Absa Cape Epic says, “the Exxaro Academy will develop this talent.” His and Vermaak’s ambitions are focused on supporting the transformation of mountain biking as a sport in South Africa. “We want to enable talented, disadvantaged riders to participate and inspire mountain biking in their communities, and believe the Absa Cape Epic with its history of champions, is the perfect vehicle for this.”   

Aiming to increase the number of historically disadvantaged participants in Absa Cape Epic and mountain bike races across South Africa, the response has been incredible so far, with several teams already enrolled, ready to tackle the 781km, eight-day stage race, among the world’s best mountain bikers. Each of the teams will be competing for the honour of wearing the Exxaro Development jersey, under the watchful mentorship of Justice Makhale, who represented South Africa at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

 Exxaro Development Riders

Here are some quick bios of the riders to look out for, and cheer on:

Exxaro Academy 1
Prince Maseko 553-2 (riding with Justice Makhale 553-1)
Age 19
Born in Pretoria, Gauteng. Now staying in Middelburg, Mpumalanga
MTB strengths: endurance
Personal philosophy: be the best you can be
Other info: unemployed at the moment. Only started cycling when Academy was established in November 2011
 

Exxaro Academy 2
Phillimon Sebona 552-1
Age 20
Born in Botshabelo
MTB strengths: climbing
Personal philosophy: I don't want to be good, I want to be the best
Other info: works at CycleLab, Lynnwood currently. Started as a roadie in 2007, cycling with Team Selati

William Mokgopo 552-2
Age 20
Born in Johannesburg, Gauteng
MTB strengths: Climbing and technical
Personal philosophy: want to become the best – a world champ
Other info: participated in cycling events before - 94.7 MTB 3rd junior overall, podium places at previous national inter-schools and provincial events. Was unemployed until joining the Academy. Is now employed by CycleLab Lynnwood.
 

Exxaro Academy 3
Jan Montshioa 551-1
Age 20
Born in Mhluzi, now staying in Middelburg, Mpumalanga
MTB strengths: climbing
Personal philosophy: try to be excellent
Other info: started road cycling in 2007 with Team Selati

Thokozani Mahlangu 551-2
Age 21
Born in Middelburg, Mpumalanga
MTB strengths: climbing
Personal philosophy: work on weak areas (downhills) to become a better cyclist
Other info: started road cycling in 2004
 

Exxaro Academy 4
Thomas Sokolangani 550-1
Age 21
Born in Middelburg, Mpumalanga

Thabiso Komape 550-2
Age 24
Born in Mamelodi, Gauteng
MTB strengths: flat course
Personal philosophy: want to become an Epic top finisher
Other info: started road cycling in 2004. Was unemployed until joining the Academy, now employed at CycleLab Lynnwood 

Exxaro Academy 6
Bruce Malele 548-1
Age 21
Born in Sabie, Mpumalanga. Now living in Pretoria
MTB strengths: climbing
Personal philosophy: started cycling with goal to become a pro one day. This is still my plan.
Other info: started road cycling in 2003. Currently a student at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria

Musa Mañana 548-2
Age 20
Born in Witbank, Mpumalanga
MTB strengths: sprints
Other info: only started cycling when joining Academy and participate in the regional races hosted by Academy
 

Exxaro Academy 7
Hans Shongoane 547-1
Age 26
Now living in Lephalale, Limpopo (previously called Ellisras) in Waterberg
MTB strengths: sprints
Other info: employed by Exxaro's Grootegeluk coal mine in Lephalale as an Operator. Never cycled before joining the Academy.

Peter Manyako 547-2
Age 24
Born in Mabopane, now living in Lephalae, Limpopo (previously Ellisras)
Other info: never cycled before joining the Academy