The Exciting UCI Mountain Bike Team from Africa s Mountain Kingdom TOWARDS THE PODIUM: 2017-2022
Our Vision: VISION STATEMENT: African riders fulfilling their dreams, well equipped and physically primed to conquer the world s best mountain bike races. Vision & Mission Statements Mission Statement: Riders: We are committed to showcasing the talent of African cyclists on the international stage and providing each aspiring rider with a positive and safe environment to develop to their full potential in the sport of cycling. Partners: We are committed to providing our partners and sponsors with a unique platform to promote products, services and social responsibility and to be loyal, industrious and inventive in our approach bringing our partners unrivalled value for their investment.
Towards the Podium, 2017 onwards Seeing the realisation of one our riders, Phetetso Monese, lining up with the world s best riders at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games was a proud milestone for our team. Now that we have achieved one of our initial goals of qualifying a rider for Olympic Games, it is time to set our sights on higher achievements and becoming more competitive. For the period 2017-2022, our goals are: - To achieve a ranking of at least top 20 team in the world. To achieve qualification of at least two riders for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. To achieve a gold medal performance at African Continental Championship. To achieve a podium/ medal performance at Durban 2022 Commonwealth Games. Qualifying a rider for Olympic Games was one of our goals when we formed the team. We have achieved it within three years. We now set our sights on becoming more competitive and reaching for the podium.
Strategies: In order to achieve these goals, we plan to: - Become a regular and recognised team at UCI Internationally accredited MTB races, such as UCI MTB World Cup, World/ Continental Championships, UCI Honours Class, Class 1 and Class 2 races. Forge partnerships with world-leading brands to gain access to high-tech, cutting edge, innovative equipment and performance-gaining techniques. Activate widespread grass-roots talent identification programmes to uncover new potential talent amongst boys and girls in Lesotho and neighbouring developing countries. Create a platform to develop emerging young mountain bike riders from other African nations that do not already have a mountain bike programme in place. Talent Identification initiatives in Lesotho to discover new riders Current Group of High Performing Riders Emerging riders from other African countries without MTB programs Strategies Better equipment More efficient training & performance testing More frequent access to high quality races Financial support for daily living expenses Success in achieving goals
What Makes Us Different?: A. Communicating Your Values Are you a brand that is passionate about clean cycling and cheering for an underdog? Do you want to associate with a success story of hard work and determination overcoming poverty? Would supporting our team strike a chord with your fans and build your brand affinity? B. Interesting Content Creation We can provide you with unique, interesting and exciting content for your social media channels, website and marketing brochures: C. Exposure to the Expanding AFRICAN Cycling Market The cycling market in Africa is growing at an exponential rate. Supporting our team puts your brand right at the heart of the African cycling scene. What Makes Us Different? Africa s First and only Internationally Recognised MTB Team With a Proven Track Record Of Achievement D. Proven Track Record We have a proven track record of delivering on promises:- First African team to register as UCI MTB Team Team ranked in top 40 of UCI world rankings in 2016 Competition at the highest level Regular Racing at UCI Class Races. RIO 2016 Olympic Games 2014 Commonwealth Games 2014 Youth Olympic Games 2014/ 2013 World MTB Championships 2016/ 2014/ 2012 UCI World Cup Multiple National Championship Titles 10,000 Followers on Facebook and growing.
2016 Results: Rankings: Team: UCI Mountain Bike XCO Team Rankings 34 ACE-The Sufferfest- Lesotho MTB Team Best Male Rider: 103 Phetetso Monese Best Female Rider: 102 Likeleli Masitise RESULTS: Lesotho Sky 2nd Men Elite Team 19 Sep 2016, Maseru, Lesotho Lesotho Sky 3rd Women Elite Team 19 Sep 2016, Maseru, Lesotho Lesotho National MTB Championships 1st Men Elite 16 Jul 2016, Maseru, Lesotho Lesotho National MTB Championships 1st Women Elite 16 Jul 2016, Maseru, Lesotho African MTB Continental Championships 3rd Men Elite XCM 29 Mar 2016, Afriski Mountain Resort, Lesotho African MTB Continental Championships 8th Men Elite XCO 2 Apr 2016, Afriski Mountain Resort, Lesotho African MTB Continental Championships 8th Women Elite XCO 2 Apr 2016, Afriski Mountain Resort, Lesotho Pietermaritzburg MTB Festival (HC Class) 10th Men Elite 30 Apr 2016, Cascades MTB Park, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Pietermaritzburg MTB Festival (HC Class) 7th Women Elite 30 Apr 2016, Cascades MTB Park, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa UCI MTB WORLD CUP - XCO - Lenzerheide 92nd Men Elite 9 Jul 2016, Lenzerheide, Switzerland Rio 2016 Olympic Games DNF Men Elite 21 Aug 2016, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil South African XCO Cup Series (Class 1) 15th Men Elite 18 Jun 2016, Bloemfontein, South Africa South African XCO Cup Series (Class 1) 17th Men Elite 26 Mar 2016, Gauteng, South Africa South African XCO Cup Series (Class 1) 16th Men Elite 30 Jan 2016, Mankele, Mpumulanga, South Africa South African XCO Cup Series (Class 1) 7th Women Elite 18 Jun 2016, Bloemfontein, South Africa South African XCO Cup Series (Class 1) 16th Women Elite 26 Mar 2016, Gauteng, South Africa 2016 Results
About Us: ACE Lesotho MTB Team is a UCI MTB Team with a difference. The purpose of the team is to identify cycling talent from the developing nations of Africa, particularly Lesotho, and give those riders an opportunity to cycle on the world s biggest MTB stages. We have a proven record of seeing young riders aspiring to big dreams, developing self-confidence and rising above the poverty and hopelessness that they were born into. Four of the current team members have lost either one or both parents, which is not uncommon in a country with such a high HIV/AIDS rate. The Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho Lesotho has great potential to produce good MTB riders. Its high altitude, mountain topography and climate is an ideal breeding ground for champions. The high-altitude areas of Ethiopia and Kenya have historically produced great runners and Colombia is now yielding brilliant cyclists with a good power to rate ratio and natural VO2 max. There is justified optimism to believe that Lesotho can produce world class athletes in the future if given the right support. Great Brand Ambassadors OUR TEAM IS DIFFERENT! We stand out from the rest of the crowd and provide your brand with great ambassadors. The polite and courteous upbringing of our riders leads them to be natural appreciative and loyal ambassadors. The stunning scenery of Lesotho, which is renowned for its harsh nature, also provides a great backdrop for you to highlight your brand. History of Success Since the team was formed in 2014, we have remained as the first and only African team to be licensed as an International Cycling Union Mountain Bike Team and to compete in World Cup/ World Championship level competition. Despite our lowly beginnings, we currently rank inside the top 40 teams in the world. Fresh from competition at RIO 2016 Olympic Games qualification, we now set our sights towards Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. About Us
Annual Budget: Annual Budget 2017 Budget (ZAR) USD $ Budget Affiliations & Licensing R20,000 $1,500 Race & Training Expenses R160,000 $11,500 Rider Insurance R20,000 $1,500 International Travel R60,000 $4,500 Equipment Costs R80,000 $6,000 Rider Subsistence Stipends R140,000 $10,000 Marketing & Branding R40,000 $3,000 TOTAL R520,000 $38,000
Investment Opportunities: TITLE SPONSOR (Maximum two title sponsors): Minimum investment of 15.000 / $20,000/ M200,000 per annum as cash or inkind product or services sponsorship. The official Team name will include the Sponsor s Brand Name on all levels of publicity, media, communication, clothing and branding opportunities. The Official Team name including sponsors brand will feature on the International Cycling Union database. The Sponsor Brand will feature very prominently on the Team Kit, both chest and back of team jersey and on shorts. Team branding will give prominent exposure at the Team Pit Area at all events where the team is participating. The Gazebo will act as a team area, VIP reception and a hub for promoting your products at events. Full access to team/ individual athletes for marketing purposes. We are a loyal and committed team who will treasure your brand/ products, give great feedback and always act as responsible brand ambassadors. MAIN SPONSOR: Minimum investment of 4.000/ $5,000/ M50,000 per annum as cash or in kind product or services sponsorship. Large sponsor logo to appear on team jersey, website and Team Pit branding Regular Social Media feedback and interaction. Use team photos/ news etc for brand marketing. We are a loyal and committed team who will treasure your brand/ products, give great feedback and always act as responsible brand ambassadors. PRODUCT SPONSOR: Sponsor logo to appear on team jersey in proportion to the size of sponsorship. We are a loyal and committed team who will treasure your brand/ products, give honest feedback and always act as responsible brand ambassadors. Investment Opportunties
Contact Information: Team website: http://www.ace-lesotho-mtb-team.info Team Facebook: Lesotho ACE MTB Race Team Team Twitter: @lesothocycling Team Manager: Mark West marklesotho@gmail.com Mobile Lesotho: +266 63050135 Whatsapp: +266 63050135 SKYPE: mark.west.lesotho