Kickin' Off 2013!! - Paul Cordes

ASG MTB Academy is underway!!

After months of work and preparation the new season is finally here!! It has been an amazing run into this season with so much support and excitement from sponsors and athletes alike. We just want to say once again a big thank you to all involved for making this happen and we look forward to working together though out the next season!

The ASG academy team is finalised and it is fantastic to see all the athletes putting in such big effort and dedication into their training. The new F-Tech kit will be arriving shortly bringing together the unity of the all the members and we can’t wait to see everyone in action in the first event later this month.

Several of the older riders recently came back from a training camp in Oudtshoorn which was hosted at CangoMTB. 32hrs of riding and 13000m climbing later is what was on the program over the 7 days (one being a rest day) and everyone definitely needed to bring their “big boy” pants. This was the perfect way to get everyone into routine and focused on their goals to come. It was also a nice way to put the new ASG Team trailer through its paces and even though it is not complete it is certain to do a great job for us throughout the season.

With cycling safety on everyone’s mind, we are pleased that our academy as well as club kit is in fluo colors ! Not to mention our Rudy Project glasses and helmets to match! It is far safer to be seen both on the road and on the trails. We also urge everyone to be safe when on the bikes, and to practice proper rules of the road. We cannot expect to be respected by motorists if we don’t apply the same standards on our bikes.

The first events for team members will be the Gauteng road and TT champs on the weekend of the 19/20^th for a couple roadies as well as the USN Cup #1 at our club stomping grounds –The Red Barn. The following weekend sees the first of the MTN marathon and Nissan half-marathon series in Barberton where we will have a nice set-up at the start/finish area. Then our XC series kicks off on the 9^th of Feb down in Cape Town which is always very exciting!

Also on the agenda is the Centurion High School skills clinic where several of our team members will be running bases, teaching the youngsters some tricks and answering questions. Our ladies’ and fast mid-week Dirt Jam sessions have also been growing and have thus far been very beneficial to all who attend!

We hope that everyone has a fantastic 2013 and look forward to keeping you up to date with all happenings and results of the academy throughout the year.

Regards,

Paul Cordes

ASG MTB Academy