The three members of the Breitling Triathlon Squad, Jan Frodeno, first triathlete to win both the Olympic triathlon gold medal and the Ironman World Champion¬ ship title, Chris “Macca” McCormack, athlete that claimed two Ironman World Championships, and Daniela Ryf, the Swiss star that has won the Ironman World Championship and the Ironman 70.3 World Championship four times, most recently in 2018, know exactly what endurance races are all about. It was fitting that their first shared mission was South Africa’s Coronation Double Century bicycle race.
The Breitling team also includ¬ed other remarkable competitors such as seven¬time world champion mountain biker and multiple Olympic medalist Nino Schurter, Ironman champion and duath¬lon specialist Ronnie Schildknecht, and Italian road cyclist Vincenzo Nibali. Nibali is one of only seven peo¬ple to have won the three Grand Tours (La Vuelta, the Tour de France, and the Giro d’Italia) in their careers. Breitling CEO Georges Kern also cycled with the team in the Coronation Double Century race.
The mission was all in support of a good cause. The Squad were riding for Qhubeka, a South African charity that moves people forward with bicycles – improv¬ing their access to schools, health¬care centers, and places of work. The name Qhubeka means “to move forward.” Bicycles allow their riders to get to the places they need to go and do things that are difficult without transpor¬tation, such as fetching supplies, traveling to school or work, or providing emergency relief after a disaster. Qhubeka’s programs include learn-to-earn programs for schoolchildren and work-to-earn programs for adults.
The funds raised through this partnership will allow Qhubeka to distribute 500 bicycles to communities that are in desperate need of them.
“I think that all of us are exhausted after the race, but all of us on the Breitling team are also excited to be able to provide this much support to Qhubeka and the amazing work they do,” said Georges Kern when he finished the Coronation Double Century. “We had said that we would be racing for change, and it really was the case. People’s lives will be improved because of what we did. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of this team.”
“It was in credibly gratifying to see Breitling’s world-class athletes riding on behalf of Qhubeka, and it was amazing to see Georges Kern with them,” added Anthony Fitzhenry, the founder of Qhubeka. “When the CEO of one of our partner organizations is that committed, the level of support is truly remarkable.”
“This was an excellent first mission for the Triathlon Squad,” said Jan Frodeno. “We had a chance not only to participate in an amazing race but also to support Qhubeka and its excellent work.”
The day after the Coronation Double Century, the Triathlon Squad and other members of the Breitling team visited one of Qhubeka’s projects and were able to experience firsthand the impact that the bicycles would have on the community.
The athletes were touched by the people they met. said: “In a sport like ours, we tend to be quite isolated and focused on our own accomplishments,” commented Daniela Ryf. “It was great to see the kind of difference we could make, and I know that all of us were truly happy to be a part of it.”
There is still an opportunity for people who would like to help Breitling support Qhubeka and their work. Anyone wishing to purchase one of 77 limited¬ edition Breitling Colnago C64 bicycles can e-mail cycling@breitling.com for additional information.
