Page 31 - MTBSA JAN 2020

HOW DID YOU GET INTO MTB? the opportunities that led me to outside over a fire, but also the
My dad enjoyed cycling and where I am today. I will always normal everyday meals.
from a young age my brother be thankful for them believing DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR
and I started tagging along. in me. Also my fiancé, family FIRST MOUNTAIN BIKE
Our parents soon realised that and friends for the constant RACE, AND HOW IT WENT?
we both seemed to be rather motivation and encouragement. I think I was 6 years old when
talented. From as far back as I Then all the sponsors, partners I rode the 35km Koranna MTB
can remember, I’ve always been and special people who helped Challenge near Marquard on a
riding bikes. me throughout this journey. 5 speed, 20inch wheel bicycle.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WHAT CAREER I know I finished and won a
CHILDHOOD. ACCOMPLISHMENT MAKES Coke downing competition
I grew up in Ficksburg, a small YOU MOST PROUD / WHAT afterwards, but honestly can’t
town in the Eastern Free State. ARE YOU HAPPIEST WITH IN remember how the race went. It
With not much to do, mountain YOUR MTB CAREER? must’ve been a long day.
biking was one way to keep busy WINNING SA MARATHON WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST
and out of trouble. Although it CHAMPS 2019 STRENGTH WHEN IT COMES
also got us into trouble many YOU TRAVEL AND TRAIN A LOT. TO MTB? I enjoy short punchy
times. I remember building HOW DO YOU KEEP A SOCIAL climbs and technical terrain.
jumps and drop offs in and LIFE, OR EVEN HARDER, A However I would actually
around town and popping LOVE LIFE INTACT? describe myself as a decent all-
wheelies through the streets I’m a firm believer of balance rounder.
with my brother and some and I feel it’s important to make WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT
tjommies. Throughout school time for a braai every now and CHALLENGE YOU’VE
I did everything from rugby again. It can be hard, but luckily OVERCOME IN YOUR MTB
to swimming and somehow for me many friends and my CAREER SO FAR? Being
managed to win seven SA XCO fiancé are avid cyclists. dropped by a sponsor. When
MTB age group national titles. TELL US SOMETHING WE you’ve made commitments
WHO INSPIRES YOU AND DON’T KNOW ABOUT ARNO and the bills has to be paid and
KEEPS YOU GOING WHEN YOU DU TOIT. I enjoy cooking. Ideally then you suddenly hear you’re
ARE RACING? meat basically unemployed.
While racing I try to focus my WHAT IS YOUR FUTURE
energy into what I’m doing GOAL REGARDING YOUR MTB
and doing that to the best CAREER? Short term would be
of my ability. Controlling the African Jersey at the Cape Epic.
controllable’s. The biggest It will also be pretty cool for
inspiration for my career South Africans to win this iconic
however will always be the late race…
legend Burry Stander. FAVOURITE TRAILS TO RIDE?
WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME Jonkershoek. Although nothing
ABOUT YOUR NEW BIKE beats going back “home” to
SPONSOR? Ficksburg and riding the trails
It’s been a very exciting and features I pretty much built
change for us moving to myself over the years.
Norco bikes. I’ve been What’s your favourite thing to do
absolutely blown away when you’re not on your bike?
by how capable Any kind of adventure or
these bikes are and exploring.
we’ve managed to HOW DID YOU DEVELOP
tweak them even YOUR IMPRESSIVE MTB
more with DT SKILLS? ANY SIMPLE
Swiss suspension, ADVICE YOU CAN SHARE
Shimano WITH US? I think just
components and through always playing on
South Industries my bike as a kid was key.
wheelsets. I always tell youngsters
Amazing bikes and and parents to keep
so cool to have the it simple and not
passionate Cycles to force structured
United family behind training from a young
us. age. Have fun, play around and
IS THERE ANYONE constantly challenge yourself
YOU’D LIKE TO THANK / and your abilities on a skill level.
ANYONE WHO HAS HELPED ARE YOU GOING TO BE A PART
YOU IN YOUR MTB CAREER? OF THE ABSA CAPE EPIC THIS
If it weren’t for my parents YEAR? Yes, Gert Heyns and I will
and their support, driving be racing as DSV Pro Cycling and
me all over the country we will definitely be going for
as a youngster I would the African Jersey.
definitely not have had

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