MiX Telematics, a global leader in vehicle tracking and fleet management solutions, is the proud tracking partner for the bizhub-FCF ladies professional cycling team, at the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour on 11 March 2012 in Cape Town. The cycling team will be the first of its kind, ever, to be tracked and traced as the riders ambitiously pedal their way along the famous 110 kilometre cycling route. Team bizhub consists of five riders; namely, Anriette Schoeman who has won the Argus on six separate occasions, British National Catherine Williamson who finished in the top three in 2010 and 2011, Ex Norwegian National Road Champion Linn Torp, and current SA Elite National Champion Marissa Stander.

Lilandi Swanepoel, the 2010 SA Junior National Time Trial Champion, and Lindi Erasmus, the current SA Sub-vet Champion, will also be lining up on the start in the colours of team bizhub-FCF. “Tracking our riders in real-time represents novelty in the field of pro cycling and we’re really excited about this pilot project,” says John Robertson, owner and manager of team bizhub-FCF. The key aim of John Robertson’s SportONE Management is to boost the awareness of, and participation in, ladies pro cycling on an international level. Robertson adds, “I’m confident that teaming up with MiX Telematics for this grand event will boost our cause, while showcasing the passion and determination of each of our Argus team cyclists who have worked tirelessly to get to where they are today.” “Each rider will carry a smartphone equipped with a MiX Telematics application that allows them to be tracked in real-time via GPRS,” explains Charles Tasker, Managing Director, MiX Telematics (International).

A leader-board and map, to be displayed on the MiX Telematics and bizhub-FCF team websites on the day of the race, 11 March 2012, as well as the live @MiXTelematics Twitter stream, will enable fans and followers to view the riders’ positions and track their progress as they reach key milestones along the scenic route.

In order to motivate the participation of a wider audience, MiX Telematics will be running a competition on Facebook and Twitter whereby the public can estimate the race times of each of the cyclists being tracked. Leading up to the exciting prediction game, MiX Telematics has launched its unique ‘Build A Bike’ Facebook campaign (http://www.facebook.com/MiXTelematics) which engages Facebook users through an innovative fundraising initiative. For every new “Like”, MiX Telematics will donate R 10 towards a bicycle for Songo, a Stellenbosch-based non-profit organisation that implements a sustainable sports development programme that provides underprivileged children with opportunities to participate in recreational and competitive sporting activities.

“As a global leader in the telematics field, we’re always on the look-out for opportunities to put our innovations to the test and learn more about how end-users engage with our technology,” concludes Tasker. MiX Telematics will once again host a corporate tent at the Argus, in the hospitality area, in support of business associates and employees who participate in the race, and looks forward to welcoming team bizhub-FCF upon their conquer of the finish line.