Leon has cycled 4,848km for the MRP Foundation’s education and skills development programmes.
Leon Crous riding in the 2018 edition of the Ride for MRP Foundation. Entries are now open for the 2019 Edition, with just 100 spots available. Image: MRP Foundation/ Tim Lubbe
Wearing the yellow jersey in one of South Africa’s most challenging cycling events, is a prestigious honour. In this year’s tenth edition of the annual Ride for MRP Foundation, that honour goes to Leon Crous from Ruimsig, Gauteng, who will be riding the gruelling event for the eighth time on December 1 and 2.
Leon’s passionate support and sheer determination to support the ride with purpose, which raises funds to break the cycle of poverty and inequality in South Africa, has kept the 36-year old in the yellow jersey for the second consecutive year.
The two-day stage ride from Secunda to Durban, covers 606km. This means that over eight editions Leon has cycled 4,848km for the MRP Foundation’s education and skills development programmes.
“The Ride for MRP Foundation is a Ride with purpose, and it has become a highlight for me each year. I enjoy riding for a great cause with like-minded cyclists, to raise funds and awareness for youth empowerment and skills development programmes. I keep coming back because I know that through the Ride, we are making a difference,” said Leon.
“Riding in yellow is an honour, however, it doesn’t make me any different or special than any other cyclist joining this Ride. It just happened that I come back each year, that’s all,” he added modestly.
Although not a professional athlete, Leon takes time out of his busy life and work schedule as a Director of REPS (Real Estate and Property Service) in Gauteng, to train for this challenging event. “Being an avid cyclist, I do train regularly for events on the sporting calendar. It is taxing to balance family, work and training. I am blessed with a wife and children allowing me to do what I love,” said Leon.
“The event is going from strength to strength and the best part is that we are making a difference in the lives of our youth,” Leon emphasised.
2019 will see a one hundred-strong peloton, the biggest to date, aiming to raise R2 million for the non-profit organisation. The 2018 edition achieved the same target with a peloton of just 70 riders.
Cyclists ride in different colour jerseys dependant on the number of times they’ve completed the challenge. First and second time cyclists ride in white, third and fourth time cyclists in pink, five times or more in green and the yellow jersey is worn by the riders who have completed the event the most times. The Absa Red Jersey is worn by the cyclist who has raised the most funds from the previous edition.
The 10th edition of the annual Ride for MRP Foundation from Secunda to Durban will take place on December 1 and 2.
Funds raised will be used to empower thousands of young South Africans through skills development and education programmes
The 2019 Ride for MRP Foundation edition partners are: Absa, CMH Nissan Durban, SPAR, Maxed, Expand-a-Sign, City Logistics, Zapper, Trader Plus, Corruseal, KTM, Westville Cycle Club, Giant, Cyclesphere, SA Rugby Legends and Hirt and Carter.
Interested cyclists and teams are advised to enter immediately before the limited number of 100 entries are reached. In addition to the R8,000 or more for the MRP Foundation. Enter online here.
