Absa celebrates its 10th year of sponsoring the Absa Cape Epic this year and the banking giant has launched several initiatives to enhance the event.
Adam Brooke, Absa Sponsorship Manager for the Absa Cape Epic, explained that Absa’s theme for its sponsorship this year is “Conquer as One”. This was an acknowledgement that “the experience is not just about the two riders, but that they also need the support of their families and others to get them through”.
63 Absa Pride teams are taking part in 2015 and have been trough an eight-month programme in which they were given riding skills lessons, trail rides and generally equipped to take on the event. They have also been kitted out with Absa shirts and riding shorts, and customised Oakley sunglasses.
The Absa Pride is the collective name for all Absa-invited riders and clients participating in the Absa Cape Epic. The idea behind creating the Pride was to establish a bespoke and unforgettable experience for riders in the lead up to and during the race.
On the event the Absa Pride riders get upgraded mattresses in their tents, access to the Absa hospitality area, world class bike mechanics on hand and sports massage specialists looking after them.
Also out on the course on various stages will be 90 Epic Trippers riders, hosted by Absa and doing two stages each, starting behind the main field.
Brooke said the bank approached the event as a “client engagement opportunity … we provide clients with a once in a lifetime experience. Our involvement is really about the parallels and similarities between finishing this event and business.”
The bank also hosts the Absa Riders Lounge, where other riders in the field can get food and refreshments as well as massages.
“It gives all the riders a place to relax and unwind at the end of each stage,” explained Brooke.
15 Absa employees will be tackling the race this year. To celebrate the 10th year of sponsorship, these riders have challenged their colleagues to support them in their endeavour to conquer one of the toughest mountain-bike races in the world – and simultaneously volunteer their time towards empowering South Africa's youth through various initiatives supported by Absa.
Absa’s involvement also extends to the Diepsloot Mountain Biking Academy, which has 10 youngsters involved in some way at the Absa Cape Epic – either as riders in the event, as mechanics or on the event crew.
And if all that’s not enough, Absa has launched a competition for riders, crew or spectators to share their Conquer as One Moment on each day of the event – to share moments that they believe show the Conquer as One spirit in action.
There will be daily winners and then a single overall winner – who will get to join the Absa Pride team next year. See link here.
“Strongly woven into the rich tapestry of the race, is a ten year partnership between banking giant Absa and the race organisers – an epic in its own right as this deep-rooted relationship has helped make the Absa Cape Epic what it is today,” Absa said in a statement issued yesterday.
“Like the riders, Absa and the Cape Epic are partners that have found common ground in mountain biking and a relationship that is strengthened by unfailing commitment, passion and dedication. Together, we have crossed many finish lines side by side, Conquering as One,” it said.
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