The Intelligent Life-styles South African Cyclist of the Year awards at Emperors Palace included a name that brought hope to the country’s road cycling program, John-Lee Augustyn from Team Barloworld.
Augustyn had the tour audiences riveted with his amazing ascent of the Bonette, the highest point of the 2008 Tour de France, an effort that was followed by a dramatic fall off the side of the mountain pass just moments later.
Team Barloworld’s Augustyn is likely one of the bright spots that helped to keep Barloworld in the sport of cycling after the teams doping controversies at this years Tour. Like most sponsors in cycling, rather than punish the concerted efforts to clean up the sport, Barloworld has shown their values and conviction by continuing to sponsor the team.