FEATURE
15 What is your favourite race? A: The Fleche Wallonne. It is a tough race that finishes on the top of the famous Muur de Huy in Belgium. The Muur is a very steep climb, just over 1km long, and the gradient maxes out at 20 per cent, hence its name (The Wall). 16 What are your thoughts on women’s cycling, particularly in South Africa, at the moment? A: It went through a bit of a dip after the London Olympics, which is normal in women’s cycling. However, with the recent rise of women’s cycling internationally and with the Rio Olympics just around the corner, I feel women’s cycling in South Africa is following suit. After Glasgow, I feel the SA women have come together and, with lots of hard work from Lise Olivier in the women’s commission, the numbers participating are growing, along with renewed interest in women’s cycling. It was encouraging to see a much bigger
40
Cyclingnews March / April 2015
start bunch at the SA champs this year. However, I do feel there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure the level of women’s cycling here continues to grow in relation to the level internationally. There still is quite a big gap in this regard. This will only be achieved by sending a national team to race in Europe as regularly as possible. Lise and I are working very hard on this. 17 What are the primary cycling goals you hope to achieve in the next year? A: To continue to improve and grow as a cyclist and person, but more specifically to win a World Cup race, to podium at Giro and to podium at world champs. 18 Talk us through a day in the life of a professional cyclist. A: After waking up, I have a slow breakfast consisting of veggie juice, raw oats and nuts as well as a cup of coffee. This is followed by a training
ride of anything from one to five hours, depending on where I am in the season. Rides are longer during the base period and shorter once racing starts. When I get back, I have lunch, followed by some rest and [attending to] e-mails. Some days I’ll have a massage or do some core or strength work in the gym. Finally, an early dinner, some chill time and bed. 19 What are some of the down parts of professional cycling? A: I love my life as a pro cyclist, but I must admit it does require many sacrifices to be internationally competitive. It is hard leaving my home country and family behind to spend most of the year in Europe, racing on the international scene. The constant travel means I can’t have a dog, and I love dogs. 20 Complete this sentence. My
guilty pleasures are... A: Dark chocolate and a glass of good red wine. •CN