With Mountain Biking replacing golf as the corporate execs hobby/sport, we’ve all attended races sponsored upmarket brands. Often cars – exotic – and a slew of asset management companies. Clearly the logic is if your can afford a bike and a race entry you have disposable capital to send in their direction. Banks are there too, with a few being the title sponsors of some big events. 

In fact here at the Sani2C the bank is Nedbank and the car is Subaru. To their credit Subaru will be giving away a car in a lucky draw. Certainly a fantastic prize!

But to be honest, I struggle to see the benefit of these to the general rider at the race. Of course they have stumped up some cash which allows the event to happen, but other than that?

Well, I have a nominee for the best sponsor ever!

Just look!  

Yes, Clover has been a sponsor of the Sani2C for a number of years and the riders benefit directly and hugely. In fact, I feel downright spoiled by the company! Chocolate Milk is thrust in your hand as you cross the finish line and there are help yourself stations scattered around. Drinking yoghurt, milk, flavored milk and even OLA ice cream. Ok, not Magnums, but still amazing. 

I probably won’t bank with Nedbank and won’t probably own a Subaru (unless I win the draw of course!). So Clover get my vote for the best sponsor, at any bike race, ever!

On the start line – 8.30 and warm.  

In true Sani tradition, today’s riding was simply superb. Larri and I rode well together and seem to be well matched. I’m probably a little quicker up the hills and Larri a little quicker down. The start was fast and furious for the first 12km to the first singletrack section. Redlining all the way. But the. We settled down and took it more sensibly so we were able to arrive here at the McKenzie farm finish line in good humour. And had a chocolate milk. Or two!

Scenes from today   

McKenzie race village.