MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - Cycling in the Soutpansberg received a tremendous boost last week when the sponsors of this year's Kremetart Cycling Stage Race and the sponsor of the local cycling club handed over their sponsorship cheques.

Representatives of the international manufacturing giant Barloworld and cement industry leader PPC, handed over a cheque of R50 000 to local cycling club chairman, Malcolm Tucker, on Thursday. Besides the cash donation, Barloworld will also donate 15 sets of Team Barloworld cycling clothing, worth a further R10 000 and promotional material, such as banners and flags. The cycling clothing will be awarded as prizes to category winners during this year's Kremetart.

Barloworld is heavily involved in the sponsorship of cycling and their international team, Team Barloworld, has been registered as a Trade 2 team, which enables them to qualify for such races as the Tour de France. By linking the Barloworld name to the Kremetart, the race will gain tremendous prestige nationally.

On Sunday (21st) the P&L Hardware Cycling Club was to due hold a club race, but the unexpected violent storm earlier the afternoon put off all but the most intrepid cyclists, who gathered at the Adam's Apple hotel where the local club sponsor, P&L Hardware, presented the club with a cheque of R40 000.

The Kremetart has already received over 300 entries for the main event, the 172km stage race, and 100 families have already reserved their camping places at the local caravan park. The race, scheduled to take place on June 5, is set to break all records for a cycling event in Limpopo Province.

The club plans to use the success of their main race to underpin the development of cycling in the region. The South African Cycling Federation is to support the development with bicycles and equipment and the Makhado Municipality will also become involved in the club's development efforts.

The club's next event will be a handicap race on Sunday (27th) at Levubu.