iOCO and Pro Cycling: The Constant Pursuit of Excellence
In 2019, iOCO took over the co-sponsorship mantle of the DSV pro mountain-biking team, while pedigreed road racer Jacques Janse van Rensburg and young mountain-bike phenomenon Nicol Carstens joined up to become the duo of choice. Read more about the riders Jacques, Nicol and iOCO and view their jam packed racing calendar for 2021.
Jacque Janse van Rensburg
68 kg
178 cm
2019 7weekspoort MTB Challenge (1st)
Pretoria-based Jacques is a well-known name in road cycling. The 33-year-old racer rode in Europe at World Tour level – the highest professional level, and the pinnacle of the sport – for eight years, including in the 2015 Tour de France and 2017 Giro d’Italia. He’s known for his climbing ability; the result of an astonishing power-to-weight ratio. After retiring from road racing in 2019, getting back to mountain biking is an interesting next step for Jacques, who raced mountain bikes as a youth, placing 54th in the Absa Cape Epic when he was just 19.
“I’m not entirely new to the format, and it was always my plan to tackle it again once I had retired from road racing.” says Jacques. “I’m also looking forward to riding with Nicol. Road racing is maybe more tactical, mountain biking more technical, and that’s how we’re going to need to learn from one another.”
Nico Carstens
63 kg
175 cm
2015 South African National Road Race Championships
Young gun Nicol, 25, earned his first podium finish in 2015, and since then has racked up an impressive set of results on the local circuit. For Nicol, joining the DSV and iOCO team is an opportunity to learn from one of SA’s most experienced cyclists, and possibly to teach him a thing or two. “The team has become known as the one to beat, so when I got an opportunity to race for them at the end of last year I grabbed it with both hands. It’s also a great chance to race and train with Jacques; he’s so experienced and I have a lot to learn. Our racing styles also complement each other; I think there’s a lot of potential in this team.”
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March 29, 2021There’s a natural fit between technology companies and cycling, says Simon Just, Cluster Executive: Advisory, Solutions and Group Marketing at...
“Cycling is rivalling golf as the business sport of choice. So much of the sport is about camaraderie and building relationships. There’s something to be said for people getting fitter and stronger together while enjoying the outdoors”.
Simon Just, Cluster Executive: Advisory, Solutions and Group Marketing at iOCO.