Two days before this year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour, Dan joined Tour de France cyclists Mark Cavendish and Mark Renshaw, five-time Tour winner Eddy Merckx, and television presenter Cato Bekker at Klein Constantia wine estate for a cocktail party in support of the MAD Foundation, the charity started by Francois Pienaar to give educational opportunities to talented children without financial resources.

The three cyclists took part in signing and photo sessions, before a question and answer session on stage in which Cavendish paid tribute to the strength of South African cycling, and the beauty of the country, sentiments echoed by his riding colleagues.

The riders also donated bicycles, a Tour de France model from Cavendish being supplemented by Merckx’s Cycle Tour bike, both of which went on auction. With a bespoke trip to follow Cavendish and Renshaw’s team Ettix Quickstep on the Tour de France later this year also on auction, Dan was able to raise over R500 000 on the night, a great cash injection for a wonderful cause.