#Tar4dirt, Team FedGroupItec set to tackle Mzansi Tour

Issued by Fedgroup Financial Services
Johannesburg, Apr 16, 2013

Leading professional mountain bike team FedGroupItec is set to trade dirt for tar at this week's UCI-sanctioned Mzansi Tour (17 to 21 April). Brandon Stewart, Neil MacDonald, Kevin Evans and Brad Stroberg will team up with former professional tour rider Ian Mcleod and Tour de France rider John-Lee Augustyn for the five-day stage race. FedGroupItec will be the only mountain bike team to join the starting line, in an event that is set to signal the return of international stage racing in South Africa.

Predicted to set the cat loose among the pigeons, the team has a realistic goal of winning the race, especially with the added dynamics of McLeod and Augustyn. McLeod is considered to be one of the best cycling strategists, while Augustyn is known to be one of the most talented climbers. Add that to the experience, strength and determination of the FedGroupItec riders, and you have what could be the winning squad.

According to Stewart, McLeod is the rider who will be contesting for the overall win. "We are excited to ride as a fully fledged team and will work hard to place McLeod at the top of the general classification," he says.

"We are looking forward to a change in scenery and pace," he added.

In terms of preparation, Stewart says there is not much difference between dirt and tar. "We are marathon racers, so our preparation for the Mzansi Tour is fairly similar to any mountain bike race. We will, in fact, use the tour to prepare for the upcoming JoBerg2C mountain bike race."

The tour will also mark Evans' return to the saddle since pulling out of the Cape Epic in February. Evans, who has only been back on the bike for three-and-a-half weeks, is looking forward to his first block of racing.

"I'm excited to be part of the squad competing in the Mzansi, and am also grateful that I have the opportunity to use it as training for the bigger races coming up where I hope to be back to full form," he says.

Follow the team on Twitter @FedGroupItec and Facebook www.facebook.com/TeamFedGroupItec for their @Mzansi_tour #Tar4dirt updates!