FedGroup launches professional Mountain Bike Team

Issued by Fedgroup Financial Services
Drakensburg, Nov 3, 2011

Day one of the FedGroup Berg & Bush Mountain Bike stage race held last weekend in the Drakensburg, was celebrated with the launch of a new professional Mountain Bike Team, the FEDGROUP-ITEC connect Team

The team's energetic duo, Brandon Stewart and Jacques Rossouw, will be competing in all major stage races for the 2011 and 2012 race season. Aspirations for this dynamic team for the 2012 race season include an overall win at the MTN marathon series and adding the African Leader Jersey for the Cape Epic to their trophy closet. Depending on their local racing schedule, the duo also hopes to take part in the Trans Alp in Europe.

Stewart, one of South Africa's most successful mountain bike marathon and stage racers, holds coveted titles such as: the Cape Epic African Leader Jersey for both 2007 and 2009, as well as the SA Cross Country Champion in 2008. He is also a three times Sabie Experience winner and the 2007 Sani 2C Champion. Rossouw, who has recently returned to the mountain biking scene, holds prestigious titles such as overall winner of the Drifter Marathons Series, and a third place in the 2005 Cape Epic. Champion of multiple SA Cross Country events, and a recent second place in the 2011 MTN Crater Cruise, completes Rossouw's career highlights.

FedGroup's Scott Field expressed his excitement at the launch: “Mountain Biking is a sport that we, at FedGroup, are passionate about. By investing in a professional team, it allows us not only to give something back to the sport, but presents us with the opportunity to mix with like-minded people.”

Field elaborated on the company's decision to step into the sport: “FedGroup is a company that aligns itself with the dynamics of mountain biking. Values of professionalism, determination, perseverance and ambition held by Stewart and Rossouw are considered synonymous with the values held by FedGroup Financial Services. We look forward to being part of this team's 2011 and 2012 racing journey.”

Riding under the intriguing team name 28/10/11, 7pm, Stewart and Rossouw teased fellow riders and supporters at day one of the FedGroup Berg & Bush race. Sparking curiosity as to how day one of the popular race would end, the lead-up to the launch complemented the buzzing atmosphere among riders at Emseni Camp.

Stewart echoed Field's excitement with regards to the team's future: “FedGroup has presented me with the opportunity to start moulding something that has simply been a dream for me. The warm welcome that Jacques and I have received from the FedGroup family has refreshed our passion for the sport. We aim to tackle our 2012 race season with pure dynamism.”

Making their debut at the FedGroup Berg & Bush Descent, the team is set to tackle the MTN Barberton Ultra Marathon in January 2012 next. For more information on the FEDGROUP-ITEC connect mountain bike team, and up-to-date race reports, visit FedGroup's Web site, www.fedgroup.co.za.