The
PANDA CYCLING
CLUB also known as Gruppo
Sportivo Panda has been involved with cycling since
January 1998. It all started in 1997, as a group of social cyclists
undertaking to become more competitive. The club has been steadily
growing since. Our membership now stands at some
60 cyclists and several dedicated non-cyclists,
who devote their time towards the development of the club. The
club is committed to encouraging and
helping cyclists who need support in order to race
and achieve their potential. We try to promote cycling and in
particular to develop youngsters in the sport. We currently
have three Panda teams within the club structure: the Juniors,
the Under 23's and the Veteran's team.
The Juniors & U23's that have been selected are of a very
high standard and have shown potential, but due to the high
costs of cycling and as individuals found it hard to progress.
As
a team these young men can now develop, and shape their own
cycling future. To run these teams money has to be raised
as to keep the teams going during the year. Sponsors were
approached and we succeeded in securing sponsorship for the
club, as well as for the racing teams. Panda
Sportswear, Espress Café Bar and Maroun's Spares Shoppe
are the main club and team sponsors.
The Junior and U23 teams are individually sponsored by Solumag
Magnesium (Hexal Pharma), many smaller co-sponsors also help
secure the club's future namely, John Morrison Panel Beaters,
Montina Canneries, Best Med, The Crank Shop, JESC Contractors,
Revite, Major 2 Autobody, Colour King Printers, Golconda Jewelers
The glen, Round The Clock Towing, South Meat Fruit & Veg.,
Prime Fuel, Spar Bassonia, Mnandi Property Developers, Attorneys
Van Der Meer and Schoombie, Westdene Cycles, Variety Box,
GP Windscreens, DMKC, House Of Coffee The Glen, Southern Suburbs
Building Supply, Rego Travel, amongst others who devote their
time to our club. These sponsors help supply the clothing,
sourcing and coordinating of all the elements needed for team
racing, such as bikes, transport to races, entry fees at events,
accommodation for out of town events, etc.
Our
club is well known nationally, as we compete all over South
Africa, from Cape Town to Nelspruit, and at all national events.
Our club was one of only two invited to participate at the
GIRO
DEL CAPO cycle race,
which is the only international road cycling event held in
our country. We competed against 21 other local professional
and foreign professional teams. We finished an impressive
12th and were the first amateur team. Many of our top race
results bear impressive testimony to the attitude of all involved,
the amount of victories and podium positions have now become
countless. It has been a great achievement in such a short
space of time for all involved.
The
club is registered with both the South
African Cycling Federation (SACF) as well as with the Central
Gauteng Cycling Union (CGCU) and is affiliated to the Gauteng
Pedal Power Association (GPPA). We
are based in the south of Johannesburg, and it is here where
our members enjoy riding socially together and in many races
under the Panda banner.
To join the PANDA
CYCLING CLUB, please email Roberto Gnudi
at pandasp@mweb.co.za.
(Article by Rui Faria)
|
