Tuesday, 08 February 2011 12:59
Support yields dividends at 2011 SA Cycling Champs
Riders from the Toyota Supercycling Academy showed that well-managed support for young talent pays dividends when they claimed four of the six medals on offer in the Under-23 men’s category at the 2011 South African Road Cycling Championships in Port Elizabeth this weekend.
On Thursday, Johann van Zyl and Louis Meintjes claimed the gold and silver medals respectively in the Under-23 men’s individual time trial; and on Saturday, the same two riders secured the top two podium steps – in the same order – in the Under-23 men’s road race.
But both riders produced more than just category-leading results, they both featured prominently against the Elite men too. Under-23 riders – aged 18–22 – compete with the Elite men, but have their own results category.
Van Zyl finished 6th overall in the time trial, just 39 seconds down on the bronze medallist in the Elite men’s race, while Meintjes was eighth overall. In the road race, a brutal course over 155km in oppressive heat, Van Zyl finished fourth overall and Meintjes was seventh overall.
It was only Meintjes’ second race outside the Junior ranks and the 17-year-old (he turns 18 on 21 February) did exceptionally well to go the distance and still finish in the top 10 overall. For Van Zyl, it was a day that saw him in two breakaways, the latter eventually becoming the race-winning move.
He ended up in illustrious company as one of four riders in the decisive break, which also included established professionals Burry Stander, Christoff van Heerden and Darren Lill. Van Zyl even attacked this group on the penultimate lap on one of the climbs, but would eventually be caught and beaten by the trio more experienced racers.
“Both Johann and Louis showed immense strength and maturity with their results,” said Academy captain and mentor, Nic White. “For Louis to be that high up at such a young age speaks volumes for his talent! And Johann was simply incredible!
“In the road race, I was with him in the earlier break and just kept telling him to keep it steady, be patient and save himself for the latter part of the race. He did just that and ended up in the race-winning move!”
White was quick to heap credit on Barry Austin, a cycling coach that specialises in Under-23 rider coaching and who works closely with Cycling South Africa and the Academy.
“I only just started working with the Academy riders this year, but Barry has been coaching and guiding them for months. He has worked hard with them and clearly they did the right preparation during December and January to be in this kind of form now. Both will be in the Toyota Supercycling Academy team for the upcoming Tour of South Africa.”
The Academy is a joint project between the Toyota Supercycling Club and Cycling South Africa, the sport’s governing body, to ensure give promising junior talent a springboard into the senior ranks, with Olympic and World Champs gold medals the long-term goal.
“Johann and Louis obviously stood out most, but the other riders from the Academy that competed at SA Champs showed exceptional commitment and promise. Christiaan Kriek was sixth overall and very active upfront at the Herald VW Classic on Sunday and given more time, opportunities and guidance, the others will be right up there too. The goal really is to prepare these young riders to become successful pros on international teams. What I’ve seen so far shows we’re well on track to achieve that,” said White.
“Thanks to all our sponsors and Cycling South Africa, we’ve been able to give these cyclists the right support and preparation to put them on a similar level to that given to professional teams. These youngsters are hungry and making big sacrifices at a time of their life where direction and focus is difficult to maintain. It will pay off. It’s already starting. It’s very exciting!”
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