Leon to glow in yellow

In this year’10th edition of the annual Ride for MRP Foundation, Leon Crous from Ruimsig will be riding the gruelling event for the eighth time on December 1 and 2.

It is a prestigious honour that he will be wearing the yellow jersey in one of South Africa’s most challenging cycling events.

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.

Leon said, “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,”

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.

“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.

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.

Funds raised will be used to empower thousands of young South Africans through skills development and education programmes.

Between 2007 and 2018 MRP Foundation’s Skills Development Programme which prepares youth for the working world trained 32,310 youth.

The school’s programme is currently active in 98 low-income schools in 4 provinces impacting 64,000 learners.

18 high schools enjoy the physical education component of the MRP Foundation’s Schools programme.

The Foundation also supports 62 Early Childhood Development centres through its partnership with The Unlimited Child.

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.