Alpha Pharm Seeding Series
During 2009, Alpha Pharm sponsored the Alpha Pharm Seeding Series.
Using the existing 15 events that contribute to the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour’s participant seeding system, the Alpha Pharm Seeding Series rewarded the top Elite and Under-23 men and women with a prize purse of R200 000 at the end of November 2009.
The Alpha Pharm Seeding Series was well received.
“We’re excited to have Alpha Pharm on board as the sponsor of our Seeding Series. It’s a wonderful new way to add value to the Seeding Series events and it simultaneously creates a new goal for our professional riders to aim for,” said David Bellairs, Director of Sponsorships and Marketing of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.
The Alpha Pharm Seeding Series included established, popular events in eight of the country’s nine provinces, all of which adhered to a set of criteria that complied with high safety and participant-value standards set down by the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.
While these events were all heavily focussed on the mass participation element so prevalent in this country, they also catered for the professional teams.
“Cycling is neither gender nor age-specific and the fact that it helps promote holistic health in a fun way gels very well with Alpha Pharm’s values,” said Susan Franken Alpha Pharm National Brand Manager. “Alpha Pharm is the biggest pharmacy group in the country and therefore a good fit with such an extensive Seeding Series. Our pharmacies have a strong sense of community involvement and many of our pharmacists are cyclists too, making our association with cycling relevant on various levels.”
The 2009 Alpha Pharm Seeding Series started with the Herald Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth on 1 February and ended with Die Burger Cycle Tour in Stellenbosch on 29 November. The official prizegiving function was held after Die Burger Cycle Tour at the Nelson Wine Estate in Wellington.
Points was allocated to the first 10 finishers in the Elite/Under-23 Men and Elite Women’s categories at each event and an Alpha Pharm leader’s jersey was awarded to and worn by the leader of the Series in the following event.