Second half of race season brings about change in FedGroup-Itec Connect Team dynamics

Team FedGroup-Itec Connect kicked off the second half of their race season with a change in dynamics last weekend. Jacques Rossouw, who returned to mountain biking this year after a seven-year break, will no longer ride as part of Team FedGroup-Itec Connect.

According to Brandon Stewart, the decision to revise dynamics was in large part a logistical one. “With Jacques residing in Cape Town, and myself in Hilton, training together as a team proved difficult. Teamwork is important to the success of a team. Being unable to train as a cohesive unit ultimately had an effect on the way we performed as a team at races. In order to represent Team FedGroup-Itec Connect sponsors appropriately, a change in dynamics was required.”

Pedalling into the second half of the race season alone, Stewart is confident in the team's revised dynamics. “My focus is on the remaining three MTN Ultra Marathon races, especially the Gravel Trail, which doubles up as the SA Championship.”

The team will also take part in two of South Africa's biggest one-day races - the Illovo Eston Classic and the Jeep Hill2Hill. “Between myself and Bridgette, who represents the team in the ladies categories, the FedGroup-Itec Connect flag will continue to fly high,” says Stewart.

Over the next few months, two new riders will be signed to Team FedGroup-Itec Connect. While the new riders will only officially start riding in January 2013, they will make their debuts at the 2012 FedGroup Berg & Bush events.

“There are exciting team developments in the pipeline. This year's FedGroup Berg & Bush Descent will set the stage for a big reveal. Both Bridgette and I will tackle the race with the team's new riders,” says Stewart.

The FedGroup-Itec Connect family and affiliated sponsors wish Jacques Rossouw the best of luck in his mountain biking career.