MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – Cycling in the Soutpansberg has secured a huge sponsorship of cash and equipment, following the staging of a very successful Kremetart Stage Race last year. Participants rated the race as the best race in South Africa.

The local cycling club, the Soutpansberg Cycling Club, has been sponsored by P&L Hardware and is to adopt the name P&L Hardware Cycling Club. The club, with an elected committee, will fall under the management of a Section 21 Company.

The Manager of P&L Hardware and one of the directors of Kremetart Cycling, André Prinsloo, has been instrumental in obtaining sponsors for the Kremetart by using his industry contacts.

International industrial giant, Barloworld, which is already heavily involved in cycling through sponsoring South Africa's First Trade 2 international cycling team, Team Barloworld, has become a major sponsor of the race by a cash sponsorship, Team Barloworld kit and promotional material which will be offered as prizes to category winners.

PPC, one of the largest cement producers in South Africa, have joined Barloworld in sponsoring an equal amount. Dulux and Starlight Tools have also sponsored lesser amounts, while the Makhado Municipality is a major contributor to the Kremetart Race by providing many of the services required for the race, as well as a cash amount.

The total sponsorship the club has secured to date amounts to R120 000. To handle and control the various sponsorships, a Section 21 (non-profit) company, Kremetart Cycling, was formed. The company is dedicated to the promotion and development of cycling in the Soutpansberg region, with André Prinsloo, Malcolm Tucker, Koos Engelbrecht and Frans Prinsloo as directors of the company. The company has registered the Kremetart Stage race as a brand to protect the concept of the race.