Deutsche Bank Mauritius 100km Cycle Tour: Results

Neil McDonald riding for the soon to be disbanded HSBC Cycling team, travelled from Johannesburg to win September's Deutsche Bank Mauritius 100K Cycle Tour completing the course in 2:19:56.

The event which was the brainchild of local businessman and cycling enthusiast, Barry Haarhof is based on the successful cycle tour held in South Africa each year and was first established in Mauritius in 1999. This year the organisers attracted lead sponsorship from Deutsche Bank which has an office in Mauritius and representatives were on hand to see the first batch of contestants including the Minister of Youth & Sport, Ravi Yerrigadoo, on their way from Le Preskil Beach Resort on the south-east coast of the Island before heading rapidly (by car!) to the north-west peninsula to welcome the winners.

Nearly 800 contestants including 75 overseas visitors from South Africa and around the region participated with awards going to veterans, mountain bikers and tandems in both male and female categories. Some were there to test themselves against the pro teams with the first Mauritian, Michel Mayer, home in a time of 2:28:18; some were there to enjoy the ambience of the event, the wonderful scenery and the charm of the local villages they passed; whilst others were there to show that age is no barrier - two septuagenarians both completing the course and receiving specials awards to commemorate their achievement.

Co-sponsors DHL, whose local country head Randy Buday completed the course with his 14 year old son, awarded two special prizes of a new mountain bike - one to local man Luximan Balvin Pitteea who completed the 100k on an ordinary push-bike with only one gear in 3h 24m 55s and the other to senior superstar, 77 year old Jacques Mykoo.

A Carnival atmosphere prevailed at the Mon Choisy beach finish with local Radio 1 DJ, Elvis Quenette, providing the entertainment and keeping the spectators up to date with the progress of the race and there was fun for all the family with a number of activities for children.

Earlier in the week an expo had been arranged at Le Caudan Waterfront in the capital of Port Louis where contestants could register for the race, pick up their starter packs and encoded chips and exchange news and views with fellow cyclists.

The Tour was organised by The Circle, a group of Mauritian-based businessmen who meet once a month principally to share fellowship and exchange views, but also to arrange events that are fun to attend and at the same time raise money for needy causes. The Circle tries to provide assistance in a non-partisan way, and where possible, with physical rather than financial support.

Warren Luyt, cycle committee member commented, "The 100 km Cycle Race is our main event in the annual calendar, and raises most of the funds that are allocated to the various needy causes. The event has grown steadily over the last five years, and we hope that this growth will continue. This year saw a growing number of international participants and visitors many of whom have taken the opportunity to combine this with a holiday. This race not only benefits the needy, but also the various cycling clubs of Mauritius and together with the related business awarded to local companies has contributed in the region of Rs7,000,000 to our economy. We are grateful to Deutsche Bank for their assistance in underwriting the cost of this event."

Javeed Ameen, DB's Head of Banking Services in Mauritius said, "We were delighted to extend our involvement with The Circle Cycle Tour which each year goes from strength to strength and now attracts overseas as well as local cyclists.

"At Deutsche Bank we work in partnership with our clients and we are pleased to extend this partnership, with our community partners, in supporting the Circle Cycle Tour of Mauritius. We are always keen participate in charitable initiatives in the countries in which we are located, as evidenced by our five year participation in the Pink Pigeon conservation project with the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation. Events such as the Deutsche Bank 100km Cycle Tour do so much to raise not only much needed funds but also the profile of the very worthwhile local beneficiary charities."