On my second ride after being sick and off the bike for two weeks, I was crowned the Gauteng Champion at Thaba Trails on 12th July 2014.
If that wasn’t enough motivation going into the National Champs, then nothing else would be.
I felt confident going into the weekend, as I knew the course better than others and I got time to practice a few rounds before the race. I was really excited to have my Kargo team mates my home town.
It was the first time my mom saw me race which will always be a significant moment in my career. I can’t take my mom anywhere as she tried stopping me because of the blood on my leg. You know how moms are…
I visualised, warmed up and I was on the starting line. Heart beating; looking left and right. I’m ready.
After the start sprint, I was in 9th place- not too good, but not too bad either. A few metres into the race, I crashed at the first rock garden. Boom! I thought my race was done, just like that. I hurt my knee and hit my head.
I got up- didn’t have time to dust myself off- got back on my bike and that’s when I realised I had cut my knee. It was decision time; I either had to quit or continue racing. I put my head down, took the pain, and just rode. The cheers from everyone kept me going while I was counting down the laps. This made me realise that pain is temporary, and I have a big heart. I kept fighting and managed to maintain my position in the race.
I’m happy to say I finished in 6th place U23 Men; it’s all part of learning and growing. This was my last national championship as an U23 rider.
I loved the course (thanks Wendell Bole) and I always enjoy riding at Thaba Trails. Thanks to Cycling South Africa for a great race.
Congrats to Gert Heyns who took the title in my category, and to my Kargo team mate Rourke Croeser for winning the overall national championship.
I’m really impressed with the rest of the team’s results. Stuart Marais finished 4th in Elite, Travis Walker was 3rd in U23, and Marco Joubert placed 7th in the Junior
category.
Thanks to my manager Shaun and Warren, the Momsen family, and all our sponsors for taking care of everything and making a great race possible; and thanks to everyone who came out to support us.
Right now I’m focused on healing properly and getting ready for the World Champs.
#ivegotheart
WM
If that wasn’t enough motivation going into the National Champs, then nothing else would be.
I felt confident going into the weekend, as I knew the course better than others and I got time to practice a few rounds before the race. I was really excited to have my Kargo team mates my home town.
It was the first time my mom saw me race which will always be a significant moment in my career. I can’t take my mom anywhere as she tried stopping me because of the blood on my leg. You know how moms are…
I visualised, warmed up and I was on the starting line. Heart beating; looking left and right. I’m ready.
After the start sprint, I was in 9th place- not too good, but not too bad either. A few metres into the race, I crashed at the first rock garden. Boom! I thought my race was done, just like that. I hurt my knee and hit my head.
I got up- didn’t have time to dust myself off- got back on my bike and that’s when I realised I had cut my knee. It was decision time; I either had to quit or continue racing. I put my head down, took the pain, and just rode. The cheers from everyone kept me going while I was counting down the laps. This made me realise that pain is temporary, and I have a big heart. I kept fighting and managed to maintain my position in the race.
I’m happy to say I finished in 6th place U23 Men; it’s all part of learning and growing. This was my last national championship as an U23 rider.
I loved the course (thanks Wendell Bole) and I always enjoy riding at Thaba Trails. Thanks to Cycling South Africa for a great race.
Congrats to Gert Heyns who took the title in my category, and to my Kargo team mate Rourke Croeser for winning the overall national championship.
I’m really impressed with the rest of the team’s results. Stuart Marais finished 4th in Elite, Travis Walker was 3rd in U23, and Marco Joubert placed 7th in the Junior
category.
Thanks to my manager Shaun and Warren, the Momsen family, and all our sponsors for taking care of everything and making a great race possible; and thanks to everyone who came out to support us.
Right now I’m focused on healing properly and getting ready for the World Champs.
#ivegotheart
WM