The Fairtree Imperial Cannondale 1 pairing of Luyanda Thobigunya and Lorenzo Leroux repeated their 2019 FNB Wines2Whales success when they completed a commanding Exxaro jersey victory in Lourensford; on Sunday, 14 November. In so doing the pair each won either a Grade 0 to 12 bursary from Curro Holdings or the higher education qualification of their choice from STADIO.

Luyanda Thobigunya was one of the stories of the 2019 FNB Wines2Whales when he gifted his partner, Lorenzo Leroux, his share of the Curro bursary. That meant that Leroux’s twin daughters were able to start the 2020 school year together, at the Curro school of their choosing. The pair thus had an important reason to win the 2021 Exxaro jersey competition in the FNB Wines2Whales Switchback.

“I owe him a victory” Leroux laughed before the race. “Especially because we missed the opportunity to take part in 2020, due to Covid. Fortunately, we had one more year in the Exxaro competition, before we get too old.”

The development category is only open to riders who hail from historically disadvantaged backgrounds and are 26 years of age, or younger. Over the course of three days of racing, Thobigunya and Leroux’s victory was never in doubt. From the first climb, on Rotary Drive, the Fairtree Imperial Cannondale 1 team, were in a class apart from the rest of the Exxaro jersey teams. They won all three stages to claim their second Exxaro Special jersey title and raced to an impressive twelfth position on the overall general classification.

“Today was great; I really enjoyed the climbs, especially the last one” Thobigunya said. “The route was amazing all weekend really and it was great to take the victory, at FNB Wines2Whales, again.”

“Luyanda was so strong” Leroux praised. “He’s definitely the strongest partner and I’m really thankful to him for helping me with another Exxaro jersey in the FNB Wines2Whales. The victory in 2019 was life changing for my family and this one will ensure my youngest daughter can join her sisters at Curro.”

The pair now have the choice of nominating a family member to take up the Curro bursary, which will cover the school fees from Grade 0 to Grade 12. Or to take up a STADIO bursary for themselves. The option to nominate a family member for the STADIO bursary also exists. These are truly life-changing prizes, with Curro’s industry leading education or one of STADIO’s distance learning qualifications from Milpark Education, AFDA or their STADIO group of higher education institutions.

“I’ll be giving my sister’s daughter the Curro bursary” Thobigunya revealed as to his choice of which prize to take up. “She’s five years old now and will be going to school next year.”

“Luyanda is an amazing person; God will bless him” Leroux thanked. “He donated his half of the Curro bursary to me in 2019 and now he’s helping his sister by giving her his prize his year. He’s not only an amazing rider but also such a kind person.”

FNB Wines2Whales Shiraz | Exxaro Jersey Results

General Classification Results after Stage 3:

1. Fairtree Imperial Cannondale 1: Luyanda Thobigunya & Lorenzo Leroux (9:02:01)
2. Exxaro / RMB: Keneth Kabelo Tshukudu & William Sello Majapholo (9:39:22 | +37:22)
3. Exxaro / PWC 1: Tlotlo Selala & Halalisani Ndebele (9:41:17 | +39:16)