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Johannesburg - Dimension Data is excited to once again partner with the Absa Cape Epic, billed as the world’s premier mountain bike race. The race is scheduled to start on March 13, 2016, and will run for eight days, over some of the most scenic and gruelling territory in the Western Cape.
Dimension Data has signed a five-year deal that will see the company become the Official Technology Partner to the Absa Cape Epic from 2016 through to 2020.
Sport is evolving and technology has become an integral part of the sporting experience, from the management and execution of the sporting events, to the way the players and participants utilise technology to aid in their training, the use of wearables and using data to track their progress. Viewers and fans demand so much more from watching and following their favourite sports events, whether live or on television. Viewers want real-time information, thus data has become a critical aspect of the sports viewing experience.
Dimension Data looks forward to using its key learnings and leveraging some of the innovative technology solutions it showcased at the Tour de France.
Grant Bodley, CEO, Dimension Data Middle East and Africa says, “Cycling is becoming a high-tech sport and Dimension Data is proud to extend our partnership with the foremost mountain bike stage race in the world. We look forward to bringing a new level of innovation to the Absa Cape Epic over the next five years. We are also excited to continue our partnership with Qhubeka, our employees who will be riding the Epic this year have once again committed to raising money for this worthy cause.”
Dimension Data’s long-term vision is to assist the Absa Cape Epic in remaining the greatest mountain bike race in the world through fan interaction. Following last year’s successful, award-winning, campaign where Dimension Data enabled the live reading of messages of support to the riders - this year the company has taken this one step further and has created a platform where friends, family and fans can record video messages that will be played to the riders as they ride past the Dimension Data hotspot.
Additionally, Dimension Data will also enable Internet connectivity at all the race villages along the route. All the riders, crew, media and sponsors will have free Wi-Fi access throughout the event, enabling them to stay in touch with their families and loved ones, whilst the media will take the race to millions of cycling enthusiasts around the world by uploading images and videos from the race. The connectivity provided will also enable the medical facilities to access medical records for faster treatment.
CEO Lynn Naude says, “The Absa Cape Epic is widely regarded as the world’s premier international mountain bike stage race and we are delighted to have Dimension Data at the race as they are a global technology giant with proven capabilities and reliable technology solutions. The race runs along gruelling terrain, and the ability to provide robust connectivity and exploring the use of data analytics brings a new dimension to the race that has the ability to transform the competitive world of mountain biking.”
