Seven young cyclists from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rwanda and Botswana have just completed the first all-women’s development camp to be organised at the UCI World Cycling Centre’s African satellite in Potchesfroom, South Africa.
For one month, the young women aged between 18 and 22 worked on all aspects of high-level training and competition including power, endurance, mental strength and racing in a peloton.
Their camp ended with their participation in a Class 1.1 event, the Momentum 947 Road Cycle Race, in Johannesburg. Riding for two WCC – African Invitational Teams, they rubbed shoulders with leading UCI Women’s Teams such as Bigla Pro Cycling Team, Team Liv Plantur and Team Tibco SVB.
For some, it was their first experience racing at such a level, and three finished in the top 15: Ethiopians Tsega Gebre and Hadnet Kidane took fourth and ninth places respectively, while Jeanne Girubuntu (Rwanda) crossed the line in 15th place.
They definitely made an impression, with Bigla Pro Cycling Team’s Clara Koppenburg, who was riding for the eventual winner Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio stating: “The girls from South Africa, Eritrea and Ethiopia were very strong.”
WCC Africa’s Director Jean-Pierre Van Zyl warned that it was the tip of the iceberg.
“It’s the calm before the storm. I hope South Africa is ready for what’s coming."
"Men in Africa have had some time in the sun," he continued. "But now it’s time for our women to shine, and get these opportunities that they so rightfully deserve.”
Although the WCCA has previously welcomed female athletes at mixed training camps, this exclusively women’s camp was a first. Van Zyl said their camaraderie and hard work during their month training together were an example to be followed.
“The women I had the pleasure of assisting over this time are incredible… These women know the struggles that each of them has gone through to get to where they are today. There are a few language barriers, but at the end of the day they are all laughing, smiling and joking around with common words and phrases that they all know. And they work so hard.
“I have literally just sat back, observed and said to myself, ‘wow’.
During the training camp, the women benefitted from the advice and help of Elite South African cyclist Lise Olivier, who is also Cycling SA Women’s Commission Director. Olivier raced on Sunday for Time Freight eTeam Count and was delighted to see the fantastic results of the young African trainees.
“It made this historic event more memorable,” she enthused after the race.
Van Zyl said that the athletes had learned a lot from video sessions and post race discussions they had had after previous events. The fact that they had practised the technique of riding in an echelon and done specific interval work had also helped them be competitive.
“I am very impressed by their performance and I am so happy for them,” he said. “They realise what massive potential lies within them. They were very nervous but I kept telling them they would be good. They only grasped the reality of that when they saw that the other international riders were suffering even more than they were!”
He added that there was still a lot of room for improvement and that they would need to continue working as hard as they had in the last four weeks.
“Most importantly, they have to realise and start believing that they are able to win at that level,” he added. “The gap between the African women and international women’s cycling is a lot smaller than that of the men
“Watch this space…”