MIP Holdings` sponsored team of five marginalised cyclists that competed in the recent seven-day Selati Cycle Tour brought home a stage win and another podium finish.
The team won the sixth stage from Blyde River Canyon to Sabie.
"No doubt their experience during the entire event will make them an inspiration to other members of their communities," says Lincoln King, a developer at MIP and an avid cyclist.
The race took 165 competitors over 640km through the Lowveld and tough mountain passes such as Long Tom, Robbers and Bonnet in Pilgrims Rest.
Conditions were hot and dry, making for an even more gruelling experience.
"I`m a keen cyclist and I suggested to management that we get involved with the race," says King. "MIP is very involved in the community and sponsoring athletes to help them improve their exposure and increase their levels of participation. Richard Firth, (CEO), Milton Segal (Financial Manager) and Don Elliott (Sales Director) were very keen after I`d explained the details of the event, the fact that organisers and various clubs were also participating in the sponsorship."
The event was organised by 180^0, which gave MIP`s cyclists a discounted entry fee on the standard fee per rider.
King approached several cycling clubs to help him identify potential candidates for the team.
"Central Gauteng Cycling, the sport`s controlling body, CycleLab SuperCycling, Bionic Cycling Club, New Horizons Cycling Club, and Germiston Wheelers all responded very positively to the idea when I asked them for their input," says King. "Together we selected the riders that represented a range of some of the best marginalised talent in the country."
Isaac Mudua (New Horizons Cycling Club), Kurt Geneapril (New Horizons Cycling Club), Sipho Tati (Bionic Cycling Club), Majaletse Phahlamohlaka (CycleLab SuperCycling), and Luvuyo Mvelase (Germiston Wheelers) formed the team.
"The team far exceeded our expectations," says King. "The idea was to expose these competitive cyclists to the stage racing arena, not bring home a stage win. They range in age between 19 and 29, and they were competing against many professional outfits, not least of which was Zambia`s national cycling team."
Share
MIP offers enterprise IT solutions to administrators of medical aid schemes, managed healthcare, employee benefits and life assurance and investment products. MIP is an undisputed leader in these fields, as evidenced by the many accolades and awards the company has gathered over the years.
These include awards for technical innovation from the Department of Trade and Industry, and being honoured in the global Computerworld Honors Programme as a world leader in providing IT services on a risk-based billing model. In this regard, MIP is a world leader.
MIP has offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and employs 105 people. Visit http://www.mip.co.za for more information.
Editorial contacts