The 2012 sani2c mountain-bike race kicks off on Tuesday 15 May, with all 4 200 places filled. JoBerg2c winners Kevin Evans and David George are expected to be on top form over the gruelling 250km course.
The race comprises three separate events: the sani2c trail from 15 to 17 May; the sani2c adventure from 16 to 18 May; and the sani2c race from 17 to 19 May. Day one kicks off at Underberg School and takes riders to MacKenzie Country Club in Ixopo. Day two ends at Jolivet, south of Highflats, and day three finishes at Scottburgh High School. Riders will cross 76 farms and ride alongside the Umkomaas River in the world’s largest multi-stage mountain-bike event.
Veteran rugby heroes Gary Teichmann, Joel Stransky and Cabous van der Westhuizen are part of a 14-man Rugby Legends team that will be pitting their mettle against some of the top MTB riders in the country. Stransky admits that the cycling bug has bitten him hard.
“sani2c is one of the best stage races on the MTB calendar and it’s fantastic to compete with a group of mates.” he says.
The race is about more than blood, sweat and mud – figures for the 2011 event show that:
- R5.2-million was paid directly to beneficiaries in surrounding communities,
- R40m was gained in tourism spend, according to Tourism SA,
- 2 850 community workers were employed before and during the race,
- 23 charities, schools and environmental groups in nine communities received direct and indirect benefits from the race.
Organisers expect revenue from this year’s event to be even higher.
Brett Lambert Head: KZN Region for BoE Private Clients says he is overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of riders for the green initiatives planned for the 2012 event.
“We are excited that 1 298 trees have already been pledged by cyclists to offset the carbon footprint of the race. The route takes us through some of the most spectacular parts of KZN and we want to preserve this beautiful environment as much as possible.”
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