We are 4 months into the 2009 season, and it’s been a busy period for the team with a training camp in PE, the Sani2C, the Giro, as well as the Cape Epic - all in the first few months!

Our sponsorship from Raleigh for the 2009 season is double that of the 2008 season, with Raleigh bringing on Jan Beggaman as the Team Advisor and Engineer to facilitate the development of the Raleigh brand as a high-end competitive racing machine. Due to the size of the team, finding sponsors in our local market has been a challenge, to say the least! So, when a sponsor like Raleigh comes on board and stays for a number of years, it shows their commitment to the development of their brand, and their passion to promote cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle

The full team is on SRAM for the 2009 season - SRAM are the new kids on the block, and not everyone can take on the likes of Shimano and Campagnolo. They have come out with 3 great group sets: SRAM RED for the road; SRAM XO for the mountain bikes; and a lightweight TT group set. I am pleased to announce that I am very impressed with these new components. Not only are they very reliable and durable, but they are light as well. Well done to the guys at SRAM!

The team has gone with Mavic as a wheel sponsor and I am pleased to be working with them again. Their commitment to the team has been overwhelming. I last worked with them during the Tour De France, and they offer two things that I, as a bike technician, find crucial – they are reliable and lightweight. We currently have approximately 80 pairs of wheels, valued at just under a million rand.

Our cockpit sponsorship once again comes from Tom Ritchey. It is great working with them and their product range is extensive. They have been supplying the top teams in the world for a number of years, and they produce some of the top road handlebars and stems. We are also on Ritchey saddles, and I must add that the riders are really happy with these.

Last but not least, we have LOOK  as our pedal sponsor on the road and mountain bike side this year. LOOK has been around since the invention of the wheel… need I say more.

I would just like to thank the sponsors for coming on board and I look forward to the rest of the season with you. We have a strong and passionate team, and we are driven by success.

That’s all I have from the Tech zone – remember, keep on pedalling and be careful out there.

Regards,

Gary Blem

Technical Director

Team MTN ENERGADE